Story time part 4 - Nasier
Update #15 · Aug 22, 2013 · 1 comment
It's time for more fiction, this time featuring Nasier!
Veil of Truth
Alyana Heska hit the ambassador’s office door like a battering ram. She wasn’t wearing her mask. “Have you seen this?” She threw the dispatch on the startled ambassador’s desk, nearly upsetting the decanter all over his lunch. “Six ships! Gone! in four days! Six!”
The Kartoresh Ambassador to Fructus spoke calmly. His ambassadorial mask sat beside his lunch. “Yes, I have, and there’s one other thing—“
But Alyana’s blood was up. “Right beyond the harbor at Qualat Mon! Six merchantmen, straight to the bottom. And what does Hadross have to say? ‘Saddened by the loss…’ and ‘regrettable happenstance…’ and other meaningless diplomatic drivel! They’re planning a move on Qualat Mon. I’ll bet my blades on it.”
The ambassador said quietly, “Heska, listen—“
She slammed her fist on his desk. “You have got to put more pressure on the Free Cities’ envoy for us to strengthen our garrison. This afternoon! It’s the only way to ensure Qualat Mon stays out of Hadross hands.”
The ambassador sat back heavily. He put his mask on. “And puts it into Kartoresh hands. Our hands.”
“No! More troops will deter Hadross from these blatant attacks. We can increase patrols and scour the bay, or they could let us station a warship or two. That would put a stop to their games. It’ll ensure the security of Qualat Mon’s interests!”
He shrugged. “It was our ships that were sunk. Not Free City tradesmen.”
She threw her hands up. “Yes, of course, but they were full of Free City goods!”
“Which had already been paid for, losing Qualat Mon nothing.”
“Nothing except our good will!”
“Which is exactly why they should let us station yet more enraged Ashmen in their city? And warships in their harbor?”
She grit her teeth. The old man was dodging, but…. “They’d say all these things, wouldn’t they?” She ran her hands over her bald head in frustration, an old habit. “I suppose I can see your point. I hate it, but I see it.”
He released a breath, and removed his mask. “Thank you. Now, I’ve… well, there’s one unpleasant thing—“
But Alyana was muttering again. “They’ve never been so bold. This is a ploy. They risked a lot to pull this off. Six merchantmen. In four days….”
“Five merchantmen. One troop transport.”
Her angry pacing faltered. “What?”
The ambassador handed her a well-thumbed stack of papers. “I’m sorry, Alyana. Your brother was aboard.”
She seized the message, ran through the names. It burned back at her. Arikalin Heska, Ashman, Junior Hakar.
She didn’t feel faint. Her eyes didn’t brim. None of the usual afflictions that she’d heard about and seen when struck with sudden grief. She’d cried when her parents died. But she’d been a girl then. Now, she felt hollow. Then grim. Then angry. Someone had to pay for this. “Hadross…” she hissed.
“Yes. But, that’s what they want: anger. You said it yourself, did you not?”
She wrestled with her rage. Fought it down. Her voice was still hot. “I did. They want us off-balance.”
“They do. You are wise, senior hakar.”
She dropped the sorrowful message on his desk. Her voice had depth. “I doubt it’s any accident my brother was there. How long have you had this?”
“Two days. And the attacks took place three weeks ago. The messenger fairly collapsed from fatigue. Though I understand there was a delay. An effort to send a complete report.”
She nodded. Arikalin dead. Hollowness again, and a flailing sense of impotence. She shoved aside the rising turmoil and turned to duty. She put on her blood-red mask. “Do you require me for this meeting with the envoy?”
“Perhaps.” He sipped his wine. “You’re right, of course. This harassment can’t go on, and I know for a fact the envoy received a similar message just yesterday. She requested this meeting shortly thereafter.”
She had no breath. But still, she said, “Interesting.”
He coughed. “I thought so.” Another sip. “Keep busy, if you can. It helps, believe me.”
“Well, if you need military arguments, I can furnish them by the dozen. That is my function, after all, not just as your second. Control of Qualat Mon would give Hadross the perfect base to bottle up the Scion Gulf and seize uncontested mastery of the Arikan Sea. More than even now.”
The ambassador cleared his throat and coughed. “Yes, but the envoy is from Nyrkem, across the eastern seas. They have more dealings with Hadross than with us. She’ll be less sympathetic to our views.” He coughed again and washed it away with more wine.
“Sympathetic to our views…,” Alyana muttered. “There are six Free Cities. Seven if you count Lochesh. And they send just one woman to represent all their interests. One wonders that she has any power to make any real decisions at all.”
The ambassador coughed again, harder. “She has the power to make our work far more difficult if she chooses. But, I don’t believe she knows much *cough* about our *cough* country…” He was taken with a fit of coughing.
Alyana peered at him. “Are you all right?”
He pulled his hand away from his mouth, covered in blood. He stared at it a moment before he collapsed.
Alyana ripped off her mask, seized the wine, and smelled it. Nothing. “Guards!”
An hour later the surgeon gave her the news in the ambassador’s office. His eyes were grim behind his traditional mask. “His lungs are filling with fluids.”
“He was coughing blood.”
“That was the first symptom created by a lesion in the throat and exacerbated by the toxin. If he’d had more of the wine, we never would have saved him. The lungs’ natural function to vacate phlegm is paralyzed. If he survives the next twelve hours, he may recover, though he’ll need a warm climate for many months.”
Heat rose within her, but now was the time for calm. “Do you require anything?”
“No. He must drain, yet he must not become dehydrated so the body may purge the poison properly. I’ll attend to him personally.”
“Can you identify the poison? Perhaps its origins?”
He shook his head. “It is an ingested paralytic, that’s all I know for now.” He hesitated, then ventured, “And it would be foolish to speculate at this time.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Alert me of any change.”
The surgeon bowed, hand on his heart, “Senior hakar,” and left.
She fumed at the closed door. Foolish to speculate…. She didn’t need to speculate. Hadross would certainly profit from the ambassador’s sudden demise where few others would. It seemed obvious. Perhaps too obvious, yes, of course, but poison was a common weapon in their arsenal, and she had met their ambassador, that slimy little squid who had leered at her cleavage and thought her a mere ornament.
And, the timing…. Well, the Hadross could burn if they thought this would delay the meeting with the Free Cities’ envoy. Alyana was no diplomat, but she’d been placed as the ambassador’s second for a reason, and she knew the Kartoresh position and the Nasier heart. They were fair, equitable, and interested primarily in peace. Surely the envoy would agree.
Alyana greeted the envoy in the ambassador’s office, a smallish woman, older but not bent, her hair shot with gray. Her eyes took in the room in a sweep and fell on Alyana.
Instead of her war mask, Alyana wore the Ambassador’s mask of state. It covered only the top half of her face, and was a trifle large.
The envoy advanced and introduced herself with an extended hand. “Jeyna Harig. Envoy to Fructus from the Free Cities.”
“Senior Hakar Alyana Heska, Ashman Legions, acting as ambassador for His Royal Majesty, the Scion King Nasier. I apologize for the ambassador’s indisposition.”
“Yes, I’d heard this thing.”
Alyana paused. “He fell ill less than an hour ago.”
The envoy shrugged. “If I’ve learned any one thing during my time, only news runs faster than wind.”
Alyana’s mouth soured. “Yes, I’m sure. Shall we sit?”
They settled across a low polished table on comfortable velvet divans. Alyana ordered tea, brewed hot. “Although we can let it cool, if you’d prefer.”
“Thank you, no, ma’am, I would prefer it warm. For a southern island, Fructus stays too cool by far, do we agree?”
Alyana smiled at the accent, an unusual combination of lilting cadence and clipped words. She nodded. “I do. We Nasiers prefer warm buildings, food, and drinks.”
“You are called ‘Nasiers’? Not ‘Kartoreshians’?”
“Either, but the second is a bit cumbersome. We usually name our people for our Scion King.”
The envoy nodded and thanked the servant for the tea. “So, are you permitted to negotiate on behalf of this king?”
“Behind this mask, I am. Normally, I am the ambassador’s military advisor, but, in his indisposition and the absence of his junior ambassador, I’m head of this delegation.”
The envoy pursed her lips. “You are very young for this post, I am thinking.”
Alyana didn’t bristle. She’d heard it said more than once. “I am lucky, madam. I came from a very humble beginning, and had the good fortune to distinguish myself more than once for my country. The rank of senior hakar is not one often given before one’s third decade, though that is not far off for me.”
“Modest, too, I see.” She quirked a smile at Alyana.
Alyana matched the smile and inclined her head. “You did ask, madam, and would it have been better if I’d said ‘well, no one else was around to meet you’?”
The envoy smiled and sipped her tea. “That is fair. You are a military woman? I see your skin is gray. It is a lovely tone, if I may be informal.”
Alyana smiled. “Thank you, madam. Yes I’m with the Ashman legions. Are you part of your army, madam?”
She laughed, a sudden clear sound that set the crystal to ringing. “Oh, skies, no! I’m just a simple girl from the delta. Humble beginnings, like yourself. But, as you say, ‘behind that mask’ you are the… what? Face of your nation?”
“To a degree. Masks are important in Nasier culture. Our Scion King carried the tradition on from his father.”
The envoy shifted uncomfortably. “Yes, our cities have not been free so long that we’ve forgotten the war mask of Ancient King Arikan. To be frank with you, we do not seek any return to that time.”
She nodded. “To be equally frank, my country has no desire to conquer anything. We do seek more security for our interests, however.”
“You refer to the problems at Qualat Mon, of course? Yes, we had heard this thing.”
Alyana clenched her jaw, but didn’t speak immediately. Problems? Her brother was dead! A sodden corpse! “The deaths of our sailors and soldiers is more than a simple ‘thing’.”
The envoy set down her tea. “Please, forgive my artless words. No offense was intended.”
“And forgive me if my tone was harsh. I intend no offense either. And yet, offense has been given. Not by the Free Cities, but by Hadross.”
The envoy sat back, calculating. “I was not aware responsibility had been established.”
Alyana pointed to the documents on the desk. “I can make that portion of the report available to you, if you wish. The ships’ bottoms were ripped out. Torn away as if by some great beast. This is well within Hadross’s capabilities and tactics. And, there is other evidence: a brief eyewitness account, suction marks.” She paused. “Chewed bodies. And so on.”
“And what would you be asking for, then?”
Alyana spread her hands. “I can speak most effectively from a military standpoint. It’s the territorial waters for the coastal Free Cities that are most at stake. We already provide patrols and escorts for the continental Cities’ overland trade routes.”
“All prudent nations do.”
Alyana inclined her head. “Quite. And, once out to sea, such attacks are much more difficult to execute. Worming away at the ship bottoms is the work of hours. Possibly days. It’s only at the docks where our ships are most vulnerable. We need day and night patrols of the harbor floor, inspection of all ships, entering and leaving, and, most importantly, an increased garrison size to accommodate these expanded duties. I believe we’ve put this issue to the Cities before.” It felt good to say it. If she could get a concession here, perhaps Arikalin’s death would not be in vain.
The envoy rose, and began to pace, hands clasped behind her. Her long skirts trailed across the polished floor. “And so you give me the option of more armed troops in our borders? And if I do this, then surely Hadross will demand similar privileges.” She had stopped pacing and leaned towards Alyana, brows raised. “And once we have more soldiers walking our streets with their swords and spells, then, and only then, will our Free Cities be safer? Hmm?” She resumed pacing. “I am thinking this would only ensure we had Cities by the end, without troubling with the ‘Free’ portion.”
Heat rose to Alyana’s face, but her ashen skin betrayed only the slightest flush. She wished for her full war mask rather than the ambassadorial visage. “That is simply not so. Our troops are disciplined, professional, and self-assured. Madam Envoy, I vouch for them personally.”
“Any proper leader would do so?”
Alyana was brought short. “Well—Of course.”
“And when they are not in your barracks? Not at your drills? What of when they are off-duty, hm? Or drunk? And Hadrossians come into the bar and words are exchanged? You will vouch for them then? When the combined forces outnumber our Watches by two for every one? Only then are all my peoples safe? Miss, you stretch my credulity.”
Shock shot through Alyana. “To not follow our duty…. Madam Envoy, it is inconceivable that a masked Nasier would not follow their duty.”
“And so you simply remove your masks before a breach! It’s a very thin strap about the head that binds Kartoresh to its duty, I’m thinking.”
Alyana fought against her temper. This seemed like a test. Yes, these ambassadorial types did so enjoy their cleverness, particularly when dealing with ‘mere soldiers.’ She spoke firmly, but kept her strong voice moderate. “Madam, our masks are part of us, in a very real way, especially in the military. You’re aware of our primary religion? We worship the Efrenti.”
“Yes. The Fire Lords have temples in my city too.”
“It is a partnership, in truth. As we serve them, so too do they serve us and our Scion King. We bind such spirits into our masks. They’re more than just totems, they’re part of who we are. In many cases, the mask becomes one with the individual. There is no removing it without retiring from our duty. At least not easily.”
The envoy’s skeptical expression said more than words.
“Perhaps a demonstration. If you would come with me, Madam Envoy?” Alyana issued two quick orders to a servant and led the way to the practice yard where several dozen Nasier troops went through their paces.
Lithe Ashmen performed katas adapted from Achrionian techniques. Bulky Bloodmasks traded blows, further toughening their already iron-like skin. A pair of hulking Arkazans, greatly transformed masses of muscle and horns, wrestled like bulls in the dust.
“Muster!” Alyana shouted.
Inside the count of ten all activity ceased and the troops stood in orderly rows by rank and file. Alyana led the ambassador down the line. “You know of the Ashmen, of course. Certainly the backbone of our legions, but perhaps you have not seen our Bloodmasks in action?”
“Are they all female?”
“Almost. Much as Ashmen tend to be male. I’m a very rare exception.”
“Do all the women in your forces shave their heads?”
Alyana shrugged. “It is the fashion. I do myself, as do most of my sisters here.”
“And are they always… nearly naked?”
Alyana grinned. “Their masks make their hide tougher than armor. And they feel almost nothing.” She stopped by one, a huge woman with arms and legs like tree trunks. “Give me your mask.”
“No, ambassador.”
The envoy pursed her lips. “She calls you by your mask?”
Alyana gestured at the troops. “At the moment, to everyone here, I am the Kartoresh Ambassador. You there, why will you not give me your mask?”
“You do not have that privilege, ambassador.”
“Yet you serve me.”
“Yes, ambassador. But you are not my superior officer.”
Alyana turned back to the envoy. “You see?”
“I see what I would expect. Discipline from your troops.”
Alyana nodded. “That’s exactly the point. If we give orders that Hadross will not be harassed, then Hadross will not be harassed.”
“An easy thing to say on a bright, sunny day with no Hadross at hand. How can I trust this?”
Alyana took a steadying breath. She waved the servant over bearing her war mask. She replaced the ambassadorial mask with her own familiar covering. Power suffused her limbs in that old, familiar way. She took a deep breath. “Kindly attend, Madam Envoy.”
She continued down the line to one of the Arkazan Longhorns, men so fully transformed with power their masks had melded with their flesh. They easily towered head and shoulders over Alyana, who was not a short woman. Their massive horns, like blades themselves, added to their height. “Give me your mask.”
The Longhorn’s voice rumbled like an organ note. “Have I given offense, senior hakar?”
“You have not. Give me your mask.”
“Am I relieved of my duties, senior hakar?”
“You are not. Give me your mask.”
“I regret that I cannot perform my duties without it, senior hakar. I must decline unless I am relieved or killed.”
Alyana said to the envoy, “You see? We are bound to our duties. In some cases, such as the Longhorns here or the Howlers there, it is as literal as figurative. You will find this attitude universal in the legions.”
“As I would in Hadross’s forces too, no doubt.”
Alyana wasn’t getting through. “Perhaps something more direct.” She addressed the Longhorn. “We will duel. You will try to kill me. You may yield, but only if beaten.”
“Yes, senior hakar.”
She heard the envoy sigh as they stepped to opposite sides of the courtyard. Alyana wasn’t sure what to make of that.
When the signal dropped, the Longhorn roared, but did not immediately charge, to Alyana’s surprise. They circled each other for a moment, the Longhorn with his blade and buckler, Alyana with her twin practice swords.
She flicked her blades towards his eyes and darted low. The Longhorn expected the move, but not the speed. She landed both blades on his leg and felt air from the return blow rush past her scalp. The Longhorn growled.
The battle went much as she expected.It was speed and agility versus strength and brutality. She hadn’t quite counted on his cunning though. In a quick scuffle the Longhorn pretended to fumble his blade. Alyana seized the opening and received the buckler’s edge to her chest. She staggered, the air knocked from her. She twisted away and gasped. Fire sliced her arm and shoulder as blood flew.
She ducked under the return swing by instinct alone. She brought both fists up under the Longhorn’s chin. The blow sent him reeling, eyes watering. His eyes cleared to see one blade at his throat with its twin pointed at his heart. “Yield,” he said.
They stepped back, saluted, and Alyana returned to the envoy who stood with fists on her hips, looking annoyed. The envoy gestured angrily at Alyana’s bloody wound. “And what does this prove? That you can fight. I knew this thing. And you trust one another enough not to kill when the chance is given. Can you say the same for Hadross? Or us? Trust is at issue, ma’am. I put it to you thus.”
Frustration welled as Alyana changed back to the ambassador’s white mask. What was she on about? Was it a riddle? Alyana looked for the right words. “I agree that the issue is one of trust. I trust that the Free Cities intend Kartoresh no ill will. I do not believe the same of Hadross. If the Free Cities are unwilling to aid us in securing our citizens and trade, then perhaps it is in our interests to seek friends elsewhere.”
The envoy laughed, though the sound had no joy. “And your country would willingly give up its interests and trade?”
Alyana locked her jaw at her error, but she’d made the threat. She couldn’t back down now. “We can’t get the goods out of your cities, can we? And the military can be put to many uses elsewhere. The Tellorian border, for one. But, I tell you frankly and freely that the Free Cities cannot remain neutral for much longer. A decision is called for. I know it’s beyond your scope, and belongs ultimately to your governing council, but your recommendation will carry the most weight.”
The envoy crossed her arms and leaned back, skeptical. “I think perhaps you overestimate the words of a simple girl from the delta. And what option do you give us beyond ‘Nasier’s road or none at all?’ Hmm? I agree to your terms or your legions abandon my cities and your merchants buy elsewhere?”
Alyana struggled with her temper. This old woman simply had no faith in Alyana’s word! And was she not Nasier’s representative? Didn’t Kartoresh always honor its agreements? “Expel them. Or allow us greater numbers, as I’ve suggested. Or even both. We will not strike the first blow, of that you have my personal guarantee and, with this mask on, that of Scion King Nasier. I put the question to you, madam: whom do you trust more?”
“It is difficult to trust a people who shield themselves so wholly from their duty. It is the person beneath the mask that matters most, for the mask without a face is simply wood or metal or porcelain.”
Alyana thought a moment. Realization dawned. She removed her mask. “You’re right. I bare my true self before you. I am Alyana Heska, and my brother was aboard one of those ships. He and several hundred others are dead because of our desire to maintain the Free Cities’ independence. We could patrol the harbor bottoms ourselves, and you’d never know. We could establish blockades beyond your territorial waters, and you could not stop us. We can position troops in the hinterlands beyond your borders, and you’d have no recourse. We do not do these things, because you are our friends, and we trust you.
“My country is built on principles of self-control and respect. If you’ve seen our history, you know that Scion King Nasier melded a dozen warring nations under his banner. He could not have done this by brute force alone. The divisions ran deep. Still do, sometimes. Yet we are one nation. When we disagree, we say so. We find answers together. Our resolution is rarely one of retribution and blood-for-blood.” She paused, and thought of her brother a moment. She smiled. “I do not like Hadross as a nation. As individuals, I’ve met very few, and they seem fair enough. But I’ve fought their armies most of my life, and now they’ve killed my brother. I will grieve, and can accept it.” She paused and took a deep, shuddering breath. She looked fully at Envoy Harig. “We may cover our faces, but his attackers never revealed themselves. We have proof of their actions. What trust did Hadross show you? They simply saw an opening, a way to wound their old enemies, and they took it. It was cowardly and brutal, and, in this case, my masks all speak as one; as a diplomat, a soldier, and a woman. Will you join us in seeking justice for my troops, my comrades, and my brother?”
Not a sound came from the yard as every ear strained. The envoy didn’t notice, but focused wholly on Alyana’s eyes. The envoy pursed her lips, then smiled. “We too have proof of Hadross’s misdeeds. And their ambassador would lie to my face. Your argument is fair, and compelling. It will be my recommendation to expel Hadross troops from the Free Cities until such time as redress is made.”
A whoop went up from the courtyard, startling the envoy. Alyana held up her hand for silence, and bowed low. “My thanks, madam, for your kind consideration. I look forward to the next session.”
“Let us hope that wisdom is amongst your many talents, Ambassador Alyana Heska.” She bowed, and was shown out.
Alyana let out a breath and, for just a moment, felt very much like a nap. Instead, she affixed her war mask, and turned to the Longhorn. “Excellent feint. Another go? You get a practice blade this time, however.”
The Longhorn grinned.
END
...
