long moments theInkai meeting chamber went silent.
It was the morning of the Eutracians’ second full day in Shashida. Tristan, Wigg, Jessamay, and Tyranny had been asked to participate in a hastily called meeting of theChikara Inkai. Tristan had dined with them the previous night, giving them a chance to brief him. All the Eutracians, the Black Ships, and the Minions of Day and Night had arrived safely, Wigg had said. As Tristan might have guessed, the Minion warriors elected to live aboard the ships rather than take up residence in the elegant Kyuden Shimin, or “People’s Palace.” Everyone else had been housed in the palace’s visitors’ wing.
Mashiro had ordered that cradles be quickly built to hold the vessels. They were much like those that the Minions had constructed in Eutracia, Wigg said, but they also showed the stylistic elegance that was common to Shashida. The great ships and their cradles were stationed on the manicured inner grounds of the Kyuden Shimin.
Tristan had retired early last night and he awoke refreshed. After bathing, he walked to his wardrobe. Hoshi had seen to it that his Eutracian vest, breeches, and knee boots had been cleaned and returned. Tristan had never seen his Eutracian clothes so well laundered, and he was sorely tempted to wear them. The breeches were spotless, and the leather vest and boots had been cleaned and shined to a high gloss.
He finally selected a dark blue Shashidan robe. He took up a pair of sandals and socks from the dozens that sat side by side on the spotless wardrobe floor. He then strapped his dreggan and throwing knives into place behind his right shoulder.
He was about to depart his chambers when Wigg, Tyranny, and Jessamay appeared to tell him that theChikara Inkai urgently requested their presence. Like Tristan, they were dressed in Shashidan garb. Leaving Tristan’s rooms, they hurried to the meeting chamber. That had been only moments ago, and as he again gazed into Mashiro’s ancient eyes, he knew that the next few hours would shape Shashida’s future for centuries to come.
“So your assumptions were right,” Wigg said to Mashiro. “Banned forestallments have in fact been lurking in Vespasian’s blood.”
Mashiro nodded. “Yes,” he answered. “And at long last he has chosen to use them. We cannot say why this has not occurred before now, because Julia is not privy to that information. But one thing remains crystal clear. Vespasian’s next goal will be to secure our gold deposits. If he takes and holds the area, he might then lay waste to the lower reaches of Shashida and then finally to the nation as a whole.”
“There is something about Rustannica’s violation of the Borderlands Treaty that confuses me,” Wigg said. “Each time the Borderlands are summoned by thePon Q’tar, their environment is made toxic, so as to kill anyone trapped there. It would seem that the only way to do that would be to use one or more of the banned forestallments. And if that’s true, then thePon Q’tar has already violated the Borderlands Treaty untold times.”
“Given your limited understanding of the treaty, that would be true,” Kaemon said. “When the treaty was ratified, it included a provision saying that because the Borderlands are Rustannican territory, thePon Q’tar is free to use the banned spells there-but only there. We objected, of course, but the Rustannicans remained firm. In the end we were forced to grant the concession or there would have been no treaty at all.”
“If Vespasian’s gifts are as powerful as you suspect, how does thePon Q’tar hope to control him?” Tristan asked.
“They don’t need tocontrol him,” Hoshi answered. “They only need tounleash him.”
“But Shashida is vast,” Tristan said. “It seems impossible that even Vespasian’s gifts could destroy the entire nation.”
“We tend to agree,” Midori replied from across the table, “but we cannot be sure. If he alone can crush one major objective after another, his legions will be free to leave his side and then attack lesser targets at will. Julia reported that Vespasian destroyed all of Kagoya in less than one hour! Because of this, he might decide that only a few of his legions need accompany him from here on. He could then delegate command of the others to Lucius Marius, his First Tribune and closest friend. Lucius’ task would be to overwhelm the smaller targets traditionally while Vespasian uses his new gifts to destroy the larger ones. In this way, the Rustannican war machine could cover great expanses of Shashida quickly and spread our forces thin.”
After thinking for a moment, Tristan looked at Mashiro. “Do the Rustannicans know that I am here?” he asked.
Mashiro sighed. “Julia tells us that they worry about your arrival, but that they cannot confirm it. Because you escaped Khristos at the edge of the Azure Sea, they of course know that you were trying to come here. They are not fools and they will take your possible arrival into their planning. Only one thing remains certain, Jin’Sai. If Shashida is to be saved, we must grant you our versions of the banned forestallments soon-today, if you will permit it. During yesterday’s emergency session, our governing body ratified our request to do so, and to allow you to then confront Vespasian. Once the spells have been imbued into your blood, you and our armies will be rushed by azure portals to meet him head-on. We humbly ask your forgiveness for throwing you into the fray so abruptly, but the hour is late and there is no other choice. Because of Vespasian’s far superior training in the craft, it is doubtful that you can defeat him outright. But if you can counter his ability to employ the banned forestallments with your own, he might halt his advance and order his legions home. We Shashidans would view Vespasian’s retreat as a victory.”
“But I know nothing about your military and your tactics,” Tristan countered, “not to mention my complete lack of familiarity with Vespasian’s forces. How can I be expected to lead Shashida against an enemy about whom I know so little?”
“Bynot leading her,” Renjiro answered. “Forgive me, Jin’Sai, but although you have commanded your Minions to victory many times, things are vastly different here. You are right-you cannot be expected to lead forces about which you know little or nothing. Therefore, Hoshi and I will lead them. You will be with us, providing the one weapon that we cannot. When suddenly confronted by your gifts, Vespasian might put a stop this madness and return home. As we speak, hundreds of Shashidan cohorts are being sent by azure portal to a staging area south of where our gold deposits lay. The otherChikara Inkai members will remain here. We will inform them of events by way of mental communion.”
Tristan nodded. “I will do so gladly,” he answered. “But I have some requests of you.”
“What are they?” Hoshi asked.
“I want to take my Minions into battle with me and I want complete control over them,” he said. “I know that you find them crude when compared to your katsugai mosota and perhaps they are. But my Minions are gifted and ruthless killers, and their advantage of flight will be useful. Vespasian might not be expecting that.”
To Tristan’s surprise, Hoshi smiled. “Truth be told, we were about to suggest that very thing,” she replied. “What is your other request?”
“I want my Black Ships to participate in the fight and Tyranny to command them,” Tristan said. “Your portals can easily accommodate them. I, my Minions, and my fellow Conclave members will ride the Black Ships to the battle site. Once there, I will gladly follow your orders.”
Mashiro nodded, and Tristan turned to look at Wigg, Jessamay, and Tyranny. “What say you all?” he asked. “Will you come with us?”
Despite the recent loss of Abbey, Wigg managed a short smile. “I can answer for everyone,” he replied. “You were born to take part in this struggle. It will be an honor to serve by your side.”
After nodding at Wigg, Tristan looked back at Mashiro. “Then it’s settled,” he said. “When will I be granted the banned forestallments?”
“Within hours,” Mashiro answered. “But first there is another concern that deserves our attention. I’m sure it has not escaped your mind.”
Tristan nodded again. “Shailiha,” he said softly. “I’m mad to know her condition and to help her defeat the Viper Lord.”
“To those ends, we have a gift for you,” Kaemon said. “Since the moment you arrived in Shashida, our best craft researchers have been diligently working to perfect some needed spells. We believe that you will find them interesting.”
“What spells are these?” Wigg asked.
“You will see soon enough,” Mashiro answered. TheInkai elder turned to look at Tristan.
“Activate your medallion,” Mashiro told him.
