The Peasant by Scott Michael Decker Page B

but ten had become formal consorts. Before and after, these women had born children for other men, but their quivers had refused to yield the Emperor a single arrow. Five years ago, the shame of his sterility too much to bear, Flying Arrow had begun to select virgins. When they too had failed, he'd insured they wouldn't fornicate again. The Consort Flowering Pine would likely share the same fate.
    Bubbling Water felt sad, liking the young woman. She'd probed the Consort and found herself listening to someone's thoughts. Several moments passed before she realized the thoughts didn't belong to Flowering Pine. Instead of stopping the Matriarch's probe, the Consort's talent had diverted it without alerting Bubbling Water. Few talents disguised their effects so well. Knowing death to be Flowering Pine's fate, Bubbling Water prayed for the Infinite's mercy. Oh, let it be fast! she thought.
    The circle of guards turned down a poorly lit street. The fetor of refuse and excrement became pungent. At the fourth house, a shadow emerged from other shadows. At a signal, the circle of guards parted for the wraith.
    “Infinite be with you, Mother,” said Rolling Bear, her eldest son. His ample hood was lumpy from the thick, black curls beneath. “Where's Father?”
    “Detained with the Emperor,” she replied, calmed by his presence. “I've come to see the boy.”
    “This way.” Rolling Bear glanced toward an alley.
    “One moment,” Bubbling Water said, turning. “Lord Captain, post a scout near each castle entrance and escort the Lord Bear when he leaves. If you don't see him by midnight, discreetly ask for him at the east castle gate. Ask about every hour because you've … blast, I can't think of anything—some pretext, eh? Signal me on the flow each time they deny your request. Code: Empty sack.” She sent an image. “Questions?”
    “None, Lady Matriarch. When the Lord General leaves the castle, I'll be there to greet him.” He bowed and issued orders to the detachment.
    Bubbling Water followed Rolling Bear into the alley. Whispering guidance over his shoulder, he led her through gapped fences and withered hedges, around reeking cesspools and fetid heaps of refuse, between dilapidated hovels with crumbling walls.
    They emerged onto a stone path. Ahead, steel sang from scabbard as a trio of rag-garbed guards prepared to defend their post. At a signal, they sheathed their swords and bowed. The house behind the trio was dark and, like many around it, in disrepair. Mother, son and daughter entered. The moment the door closed, Rolling Bear switched on the house shields, then the lights. He threw back his hood. “How's Rippling Water?”
    The Matriarch looked around, familiarizing herself with the interior. Run-down on the outside, the furnishings inside were comfortable. The house was one of many sanctuaries secreted throughout the city. Knowing the cost of maintaining them, Bubbling Water regretted the drain on the family coffers.
    “Thanks to the boy, as healthy as can be,” she replied finally, unwrapping the girl.
    “What a talent he has! Why'd the Lord Captain bring him here?”
    “Someone induced Rippling Water's illness. They poisoned her.”
    “What? Infinite blast them! Why
her
, a helpless infant?!”
    “I don't know, my son, unless …” Sighing, Bubbling Water closed her eyes. “Unless it was a ruse to get your father to the castle.”
    She knew she was right.
    “That
sounds
like them. Father's in danger! What can we do?”
    “I don't know. On my way out, I stopped at the eastern hall and asked to see Guarding Bear, but that proved fruitless. The servants told me the Emperor had sequestered himself with Guarding Bear with orders that no one disturb them. So I didn't see him, which makes me anxious. Your father's a wily man. He's survived worse traps. Oh, Infinite protect him! Son, put our forces on twenty-four hour alert. Unless countermanded, I want insurrection across the Empire. Twenty-four hours and