Sons Of Tashbaan

Copperfox said:
Help me here, are Laschivia and Kara the same women the barbarians thought they had as hostages?
Click to expand...

Indeed, the same two ladies the barbarians did have as hostages until they were discovered by the young Tarkaans. The barbarian leader assumed that they were still captured by his men and was relying on them being his ace card.
Seeing the self-same two ladies in the litter before him is a shock to say the least!:eek:
 
“My poor barbarian, you are no doubt asking yourself by which dark arts we Calormens recovered these ladies. Well, rest assured it was a very mundane affair. There are those close to you who sold us that information for the gold they always crave. The ladies were returned to us within hours of their abduction. We would have scarce found them otherwise, in a Calormen wagon miles from anywhere. A very clever plan.”

As an afterthought, he added.

“You have an hour to respond. If you choose not to, then we will initiate an assault but you are more than welcome to do so yourselves, if you find the wait too tedious. You have my permission.”

“Amazing”, laughed Javed. “Just sit back and watch what happens now.”

The two parties returned to their ranks and Radeesh could see some disturbance in the barbarian camp. Presently about a dozen men fled only to be shot down by their own side. Several more bodies were thrown on to the stakes in front of them.

“Can’t be doing with traitors during a battle” Added General Arkana-Godaan, who had just joined them. “Looks like he’s having a good clean-out.”

“But there were no traitors in their ranks” Radeesh protested.

“In any group there are always different factions.” Godaan explained. “Sometimes it doesn’t take much to destabilize their dynamic. Our enemies always assume we have spies and stooges everywhere, why disappoint them? Just throw them the bait and let them get on with it. The numbers they have purged are insignificant but the effect on morale is enormous. The barbarians have lost their ace card and are now as good as finished. Their leader is in a desperate predicament. Katil knows how to play this game.”

“Why do they keep coming? Why don’t we just take control of their lands?”

“Who knows? They produce a surfeit of sons. The younger ones have no title and need to gain respect from their kinsmen, so they band together and attack the empire. Their regions are barren and dirt-poor, not worth the cost of taking and holding down. They may not have enough food to feed their offspring but they never seem to be short of money for weapons and horses.”

He paused in thought. “And never forget, every empire needs its enemies. They can provide a useful justification for rulers to impose despotic acts upon innocent men. If it had none, ours would unravel within a matter of weeks - I know this for a fact. An outer threat, real or imagined, from the west or yes, believe it or not, even from the north, is a powerful way to unite a people and bolster a tenuous position.”

The hour passed slowly and nothing happened. The barbarians now pinned all their hopes on the unassailability of their position. Slowly the Calormen drums began to beat in rhythm; Boom, Boom, Ba Ba Boom, their sound filling the valley like thunder. Then a horn sounded and the sky filled with arrows which rained down from the valley side onto the barbarian position.

They raised their shields up to afford protection but the horses in the middle of the encampment where wild with fear and could hardly be restrained. The downpour lasted for about ten minutes, then another horn sounded and it ceased.

“Why have they stopped now?” Radeesh asked.

“Because time is on our side brother. Katil wants to play with them, like a cat with a mouse. He will not slay them all at once. Watch!”

To be continued.
 
Indeed he does Sir :)

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From the Calormen ranks cavalry rode forth and then charged. Some barbarian arrows hit and several men went down. Then in disarray the cavalry unit faltered and began to turn. It was a discouraging sight. The barbarian cavalry emboldened, ceased the moment to leap over the stakes and give pursuit. It was a rout and the fury of the raiders was being brought within inches of the fleeing Calormen cavalry.

Suddenly the Calormen ranks spun around in formation, lances lowered into a wall of spikes, as Agari unexpectedly appeared on both flanks and circled for the kill.

“The oldest trick in the book” mused Javed “but it always works.”

“Let’s join them” prompted Godaan. They spurred their mounts on and linked up with the circling Agari.

Now the barbarian horsemen understood their plight. Surrounded and cut off at the rear they madly attacked anyone they could reach, all discipline gone.
The lancers hemmed them in and the archers picked them off, never allowing any horseman to get within ten yards of them. Feigning retreat only to loose deadly arrows behind them.

Suddenly Radeesh heard a shout from Javed and looked around. Two barbarian riders were close by, one of which was the leader. The Agari hunting technique is trained to perfection. They gave pursuit, left and right of the two men. Javed easily took the other man out, his skill breathtaking. The leader had turned and was heading at Radeesh, roaring the name of his war god in fury.

Javed could have taken him in the back but he didn’t. Godaan was close by and shot a “screaming” arrow across the front of the barbarian’s horse, startling it and slightly altering its course. This was the moment. The exact second - the one chance, as the barbarian’s flank was slightly exposed.

It was too late to rectify the mistake he’d made as the arrow flew from his bow in an erratic, distorted flight path. It had felt wrong as he’d drawn it from the quiver but the movement was automatic and there was no going back. He was astonished that it hit. A little below where he’d aimed, but deadly nevertheless.

The barbarian was taken clean off his mount and hit the ground dead. As he rode over to the kill Godaan and Javed were there looking down.

“Nice touch brother, I’m amazed you tried it.” Radeesh saw what the general was talking about. He hadn’t intended to draw the barbarian arrow but being the longest it was the first his hand had reached. It was pure luck and nothing more but he would always choose to keep that fact a secret.

“THE KILL TO TARKAAN ALLIUM RADEESH!” Roared Godaan, as Agari horns sounded out.

The remaining barbarian cavalry were taken apart by the combined force of lancers, cavalry and two chariots who now charged into them.

Some Agari bound and hoisted the barbarian leader’s corpse onto a pole and rode within sight of the remaining enemy poised on the hill.

On the order of the drums the field was vacated and the total decimation of the barbarian cavalry was visible to all.

The barbarians on the hill banged their shields in defiance chanting a single name over and over.

Radeesh now noticed something he had not yet seen before. Soldiers had brought up ten hefty contraptions which they had been patiently assembling behind the lines.

Monstrous ballistae with flaming spears were readied and discharged straight into the packed warriors, blasting them aside. At the same time the rain of arrows again commenced from above.

Radeesh could see how utterly hopeless their situation was. Panicked and suicidally desperate they hurled themselves down the hill at the waiting Calormen ranks. Within thirty minutes it was over.

To be continued.
 
The army camped within sight of Tashbaan. It was mid afternoon and they would wait there until they were formally invited to enter on the following morning for the triumphal procession through the streets and up to the Tisroc’s palace.

Consul Atarxa and his men had remained in their province to aid with the rebuilding work. Danush stayed there with them, having joined the consul’s private force.

Radeesh and Aref walked together along the river and discussed previous events and future plans.

“It looks like our little circle is finally breaking up” said Aref thoughtfully. “Hayraan is miles away in the back of beyond, Danush has thrown his lot in with the consul, who almost seems to regard him as a son, and you’ll soon be riding off into the sunset with your Agari. There will just be me left in Tashbaan.”

“Have you got a place in the citadel guard then?”

“Perhaps. I know someone who is pulling some strings on my behalf, so that I can jump the queue and not be packed off to some flea-pit provincial town. My heart’s not in the military. I need to be in Tashbaan to further my studies and I could spend my whole military service waiting to get a transfer back if they once move me out.”

Radeesh knew that Aref was not from a particularly well-connected family and wondered who could be helping him.

“It’s pretty big strings they need to pull Aref. I’ve heard that there’s hot competition for a post in the citadel guard. That queue could stretch around the walls of Tashbaan.”

“More like three hundred times around my friend. Many of the capital’s noble sons are reluctant warriors to say the least. There’s just too much at stake here to be away from the scene for five or more years.”

After a pause Radeesh spoke.

“Aref, I think you could perhaps answer this. Is there any legal bar on marriage between a blue and a green?”

Aref looked at his friend with a faint smile “Aha, that’s it, isn’t it? It figures. You haven’t been yourself since you were under the tree with that girl. All strange and silent, like after you’d been on that island.”

“Is it obvious?”

“Friend, you seem determined to make life difficult for yourself. No, there is no legal bar of any kind. You may be surprised to hear that the two colours do not even have a legal status. They are never once mentioned in any texts I have studied. One could almost mistakenly conclude that they don’t exist at all.”

“Right, so at least that, I suppose."

“Do you know whether this girl shares your feelings?”

“No, not really. I don’t.”

“But you do know that her brother wanted to kill you and if he knew about this he certainly would. Whatever the law says the two colours don’t intermarry and you know that as well as I do, unless we’re talking about the inner circle of the court - in which case they conveniently claim to be without colour. Not only do you fall for a green but you also fall for one of the house of Jakeel. Possibly the most venomous blue-haters in the capital and allied with a particularly vile and corrupt circle of powerful oligarchs, which includes Kan-Katil who also conspired to kill us, or have you forgotten that as well?

Radeesh was silent and downcast.

“You have absolutely no hope. It’s just the next crazy idea Radi. You really must forget this one, promise me. And please don’t ever mention this to your cousin.“

“I guess you’re right Aref.”

To be continued.
 
She reclined, jeweled sandals before her on the marbled floor, legs resting on the smooth satin of the divan’s upholstery. Her sleek sumptuous clothing highlighting the perfect figure of an elegant lady in her early twenties. Her waist length black hair gleamed with small sapphires set into delicate threads, a colour which complemented her clear blue-grey eyes.

She had become a woman of startling looks and Radeesh could, in that moment, almost understand the fascination men felt who came into contact with her. Since she first performed at the Garland Festival as a fourteen year old, her reputation as a flawless talent and beauty had spread far. People were greedy for any information they could obtain about her private life and there had recently been much speculation about which noble Tarkaan would win her hand in marriage.

His elder cousin Lashmeenie Lashmore, every inch a Tarkheena, summoned her maids to serve refreshments for herself and her honoured guest. She had listened patiently to his account of the previous days before finally speaking.

“You have been back two days already Radi and you first visit me now.” There was light reproach in her voice.

“There has been much to do. Firstly the victory procession and reception at the palace, then this morning I visited Basaam’s family. I felt that it was only fair.”

“Did Harmon say anything in particular to you?”

“Yes, he was grateful, as were all of them, and henceforth shall consider me his son. He told me to come straight away to see you on a matter of great importance.”

“That can wait a little. Firstly, tell me, did she mention me?”

“Who?”

“Tarkheena Zilvahris, of course.”

“No, I only really spoke very briefly to the other girl.”

“Why?”

“Well at the time I didn’t know who either of them were. They only gave us their flower names.”

“So, she let the Jakeel girl do the talking for her? Why Zilvahris bothers with that creature is beyond me.”

She strolled over to the window, feline and silent and drew the ornate shutters, then turned to her cousin with an indiscernible expression and asked “Is it true that the girl has a scar on her face?”

“Yes, a very small one.”

“So, she unveiled in your presence! What kind of breeding is that? The girl is a living embarrassment to her family. There is no wonder she has not once been brought to court.”

To be continued,
 
Radeesh was taken aback by the sudden outburst but decided to use the opportunity to try to garner more information about the girl, whilst his cousin was already on the topic, thus avoiding any suspicion.

“I was told that she is betrothed to Katil’s son.”

“What her? Not even a green would have her! It is another sister who is betrothed to him.”

“Her name seems strange to me, almost like the old Calormen language. You recite lays and sing ballads in this language Meenah. Am I correct in my assumption?”

She returned to her seat and brushed her hair aside. “Well, you are partly right. The first portion of her name 'Kara', means dark or black in Old High Calormen but the second part 'Ravinka' is not Calormen in origin. It is derived from a Telmarine word - a diminutive - and it means little raven.”

She raised one eyebrow in a deliciously enigmatic way, which indicated her disapproval.

“Telmarine, what is that?”

“Oh Radi” she laughed, “that you of all people should ask me... with your little ‘obsession’ for all things northern. What kind of knowledge is that? In any case you will agree, it’s a horrid name and surely very apt.”

“So why did her parents give her such a name?”

“I suppose they were obliged to after..." She hesitated, then collected her thoughts. “Well, there is much gossip and little known fact. In any case, I don’t know how we got onto discussing this worthless object.

I must confess, though, I never miss the opportunity to enquire after her if I meet one of her sisters. Their discomfort is always quite exquisite.”

Two maids replenished the small tables and lit incense candles. Radeesh noticed the decor of the room and the fresh flowers arrayed around it. His cousin, as ever, had immaculate taste.

“So what are your plans now?”

“Well our unit is here for another three weeks and then, who knows where we will be sent.”

“And you did not consider my suggestion of enlisting in General Zratan’s army?”

“Yes, I discussed it with General Arkana-Godaan and he told me that the Agari have only a minor role in Zratan’s force. The true Agari have their own ethos and range the boundaries of our empire. They can be gone for weeks and survive by hunting and knowledge of the land alone.”

“Well, how very impressive.” Her voice subtly altering in tone.

To be continued.
 
Beautiful, cultured, intelligent, and stuck up. Your description of her is great--I could practically see her sitting there.
 
Glenburne said:
Beautiful, cultured, intelligent, and stuck up. Your description of her is great--I could practically see her sitting there.
Click to expand...

Thank you. Well here's a bit more:
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“Another thing we discussed is Narnia. He and his companion have been there on a mercantile expedition under the leadership of Jarlan Zosh. It appears that what I saw on that island was no hallucination but very real.” He reached into a pouch on his belt and held out the arrow head he had been given. “Just take a look at this.”

She stood up and turned away from him “Put that trinket away Radi, I will not look at it. I did not think you could be so easily beguiled.”

It angered him that she was so ready to disregard what he wished to say. She never seemed to accept any information which contradicted her own prejudices and that made her sometimes very difficult to like. To just turn her back on him in this way was the last straw. He felt he needed to make a few things clear, to stand up for himself.

“I know you don’t like the topic and consider all things that happen beyond the walls of Tashbaan to be of no value but there are things out there you have never seen cousin, which I have - and they do have a significance. If you are always blinkered then you will never have the chance to know of these things. You should at least come with me and let me show you how the Agari ride like the wind. Speak to Godaan, he will confirm the things I have told you. I for one know this has changed me for ever.”

She stood silently looking out through the shutters of the window.

“So did your beloved Arkana-Godaan also inform you that six months ago Jarlan Zosh’s death sentence, on charges of treason, was commuted to life imprisonment? That others who journeyed with him were first arrested in order to gather evidence? I’m astonished your two Tarkaans are still at liberty.”

“What? I didn’t even know he’d been...”

“Of course you didn’t. Whilst you are running around playing Proto-Calormen, your father’s legacy is being stolen from underneath you. Right here within your ‘accursed’ walls of Tashbaan.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“You left without a word Radi, like a thief in the night. By Tash I worried for you and had I not summoned the wonderful Consul Atarxa, the beast Katil would have murdered you and we both know that.”

“Sorry, but we had to leave quickly, time was of the essence. But why do you mention my father?”

“You have prime land on the coast near the Zagran villa quarter which is rented by a few goatherds. You could sell this for decent money and then use that money to refit your father’s rotting fleet, which you need to refit because the olives, grapes, figs and other produce of your father’s estates are being sold here on the domestic market for a pittance to merchants who are making a fortune exporting it.”

“Thanks for the business advice cousin but my household chamberlain is a reliable pair of hands.”

“I’ll convey your gratitude to Harmon, it’s his suggestion.” She said coldly, still looking away from him. “Those are just the salient points of a detailed plan he has worked out for you.”

“Oh I see. Well in any case I only intend to serve with the Agari for a few years then I....”

“You don’t have a few years!” She retorted and turned to face him, her eyes flashing angrily. “The kingdom’s taxes have eaten away at your fortune and it is now half of what it was when your father died. The merchant’s guilds will not be able to hold your concessions for longer than the end of this year. Others have already lodged objections and they will take them off you. Once lost, you will never recover them, they alone are worth a fortune.

You are the only heir Radi. Your father doted upon you because you reminded him of your mother, who you never knew. He let you run around doing what you wanted because it made you happy and that made him happy too. He thought he would have the time to bring you into the business, but his murder put a stop to that.”

“What do you mean murder? Everyone knows the Morning Star sank with all hands. It was sighted by several other vessels and there were no survivors. If this is just some kind of pathetic conspiracy theory to...”

“There is a casket on the table over there. Open it and tell me what you find therein!”

Radeesh approached it with a strange foreboding and lifted the lid to view the contents. There was a chilled silence in the room.

“Where did you get these things Lashmeenie?”

To be continued.
 
“So you do recognise them?” He nodded. “The telescope came from Basaam’s brother who found it for sale at a market here in Tashbaan. At about the same time Harmon found the ship’s compass and the sword pommel in a warehouse on the Eastern Islands. Because they knew our family they recognised the insignia, although there has been a crude attempt to deface it on the compass. They had already exchanged hands several times, so the trail was cold. They brought them to me a few months ago whilst you were away on training. The Morning Star was not lost in a storm Radi, of that I am certain.”

“And what are the documents here, where did you get them?” His hands began to tremble.

“You must thank your friend Aref for those. He worked tirelessly for months before you ran off on your little mission. I was about to tell you before you left. I swore him to secrecy.”

“So you’re the one trying to secure him a commission?”

“It is already secured. One good turn deserves another. He has a fine mind and for a boy from a family with few connections he will acquire many in a short space of time, unlike some who are given everything they need and know not to value it.”

Radeesh felt nauseous as the implications of this news began to sink in.

“You need to read through them. Actual reports taken at the time of the incident. Only one boat ever claimed to have seen the Morning Star go down. It was a fishing vessel, funded and operated by a so-called floating cartel. The boat and crew vanished afterwards, as did the cartel. The other reports were hollow propaganda. My servants have interviewed sailors from other vessels who were paid to spread misinformation at the time. There was no storm.”

“But why would anyone want to murder my father?”

“Your father obtained a loan to purchase land where he considered gold was to be mined. Harmon disagreed with him at the time because he didn’t trust the source of the loan. It was by ‘coincidence’ the self-same floating cartel which subsequently funded the fishing boat. He was right to smell a rat, as it turned out.

The land was indeed rich in gold and it soon became clear that your father had made a fantastic purchase. After the Morning Star’s disappearance the cartel foreclosed on the loan and took the land as payment.

There was nobody who could lodge a complaint, as you were not of full age and your foolish uncle refused to help at all. I wrote to him and he just replied that as a high priest he could not be seen to be engaged in worldly matters. As if priests don’t! Obviously my father is not of the Allium bloodline, so he could do nothing and Harmon tried on your behalf but the cartel moved swiftly and the mines were taken.

We do not know for certain who was behind this cartel but Aref followed a paper trail which leads amongst others to General Kan-Katil and his infamous circle. Now do you understand why I feared for your life? Katil didn’t want to kill you because you were blue, but because you are your father’s son. The only living person who may just manage to get to the truth and be able to do something about it, if you care enough that is!”

Radeesh slumped down in his chair, cupping his head in his hands. His world crumbling with each sentence she uttered.

To be continued.
 
“So you’re the one trying to secure him a commission?”

“It is already secured. One good turn deserves another. He has a fine mind and for a boy from a family with few connections he will acquire many in a short space of time, unlike some who are given everything they need and know not to value it.”


This part reminded me of the fact that, for much of the history of the British Empire, officer's commissions were literally and actually BOUGHT WITH MONEY, regardless of whether the would-be officer had any more military skill than the comical Major-General in the operetta "The Pirates of Penzance." With such a system, it's a miracle that Britain EVER won any wars.
 
Wow. Poor guy. Why would the cartel still want to kill Radi if they've already got control of the mines?
 
Glenburne said:
Wow. Poor guy. Why would the cartel still want to kill Radi if they've already got control of the mines?
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As Lashmeenie said, Radi's death would remove the only remaining heir and the last person who could possibly make difficulties for Katil's circle.

That said, the cartel, themselves, wouldn't have gone after Radi but having this young man in his grasp was too tempting an opportunity for Katil to pass on.

Katil hates blues but it goes much further than that. There's a lot of dirt which has yet to come out in the wash. It goes way deeper than Radi, or even Lashmeenie yet know.

This story is very close to completion now. I'm planning a sequel.
 
“He must have thought it was his birthday when you handed yourself to him on a plate, like the rash boy you are. Have you ever asked yourself where Katil and his criminal friends find the wealth to buy influence at court, how they fund it all? It is with your father’s gold Radi. Your gold! Stolen proceeds of their sordid crime.”

She walked over to him and stroked him gently on his hair.

“You have good allies Radi but your time is running out. I have done what I can to help you out of duty towards my bloodline. If I had been born a man, I swear by Tash I would make our enemies fear me.”

Radeesh faintly recalled that he had heard something similar said a few days before.

“What should I do, I’m part of the Agari now. I can’t just stay here. Would you have me desert?”

“In less than two weeks General Zratan will be here. We are to announce our engagement and as your unit will still be here, the transfer will be a formality. He requires a representative for his logistics division in the capital. You can keep your status as Agari and have all the time you need to pursue your own affairs.”

So it had finally come so far. She would marry and the man was one of the best placed nobles at court. He had met Zratan a couple of times and found the man, even by Calormen standards, to be arrogant and self-centred in the extreme. His family were fabulously rich and his cousin had, beyond all doubt, made the best strategic choice available to her.

“Oh do not look so sad Radi, I will still be here for you. At least your escapade ended well for you and has enhanced your reputation. I hope now that people will remember you for this, rather than your little sailing adventure.”

It had turned dark and lamps were lit.

“I would warn your general and his friend never to speak to anyone of their northern jaunt and please throw that object he gave you into the river. The new leadership takes a dim view of those who have had contact with these lands. Those weak of character, or impressionable, sometimes return with seditious notions and are often seen as enemies of the state.”

She stood facing him, her arms enfolding him in a light embrace and spoke softly “I trust you will take my help and that of your friends. If you choose not to, there is nothing more we can do for you. Now, I will get my servants to escort you home. Take the casket, it’s contents are yours by right. Never forget Radi, how often have I said this?” She smiled gently as the light of the lamps softly danced across her now serene face “The knives of our enemies are ever poised at our backs.”

To be continued.
 
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"The knives of our enemies are ever poised at our backs"? That's the first Calormene proverb I've ever heard that was positioned to sound ominous. And those who have visited Narnia may be seen as "enemies of the state"? Oh, boy...
 
Glenburne said:
"The knives of our enemies are ever poised at our backs"? That's the first Calormene proverb I've ever heard that was positioned to sound ominous. And those who have visited Narnia may be seen as "enemies of the state"? Oh, boy...
Click to expand...

Lashmeenie's is unfortunately correct with her assessment of the situation. She usually gets her own way but is she necessarily right though?

What would you guys do in Radi's position?

Just wondering. Thanks for reading.
 
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