Brankin Huoh

  Lozan stopped outside the door and looked left down the hallway, then right, ensuring that he was indeed alone. He didn't expect anything else. He had bidden Fiborn to leave him and being as they were in the Citadel, Fiborn had no reason to stay within range of Lozan and protect him. Lozan didn't expect to see Kyriu waiting for him out here either. Kyriu's displeasure with this turn of events was plain even before the runner relayed his news. Lozan was sure Kyriu was in his room planning the most painful and gruesome way he could to punish him for Tagan’s escape. He shuddered, remembering instances of punishment that Kyriu felt necessary to mete out and they were all equally horrific.

  With the hallway clear of personnel, Lozan made his way up the stairs and back, not to his sitting room, but to his private quarters. Once there he didn't hesitate and went to a large picture hanging on the wall.

  The picture was a larger version of the original that had hung here. It depicted Brankin Huoh from ages long past. Lozan had commissioned the recreation after he had been made ruler of the Citadel. It captured Brankin Huoh in the time of Gofyer, a poignant moment in Brankin Huoh’s history. Under Gofyer’s control Brankin Huoh was thriving and so were the people. The city was vibrant and alluring, drawing people from all corners. It was during Gofyer’s rule that everything changed.

  Gofyer began his tenure with much fanfare, taking the torch as ruler while vowing to be humble and just. He was the people’s favorite to assume the job as well as those of the Citadel. Gofyer had that certain something that the people loved; a charisma that seduced the people of Brankin Huoh. He made everybody feel like they were his best friend, and at first, everybody was.

  That changed when Kyriu came along. Kyriu convinced Gofyer to let him be his aide, someone he could turn to for visionary help. Some said convinced, others would say coerced. It was a cover of course. Kyriu had no intention of taking the peaceful version of Brankin Huoh any further and while under Gofyer’s wing, Kyriu began the process of undermining everything that made Brankin Huoh great. Lured by the power that Kyriu dangled, Gofyer changed. Decrees began pouring out of the Citadel that curtailed or outright banned freedoms that the citizens had started to take for granted, feeling that they would always be there. At first the people took it in stride, justifying what was happening by thinking that things couldn’t get worse and they were still free after all. It was the price they had to pay for security.

  Things continued to get worse though, as rule after rule and decree after decree continued to be enacted and enforced, clamping down on Brankin Huoh. When Gofyer announced a plan to construct a wall around the city, the people had had enough and started to revolt. The revolt started peacefully but under the might of the newly trained Citadel guard, the mood soured. Citizens were strong-armed in an attempt to quell the uprising; hauled off to the work yards or the stockade for even the most minor of offences. Things seemed to calm down as more and more of the citizenry began to disappear, some to never be seen again, but the final nail was yet to come. Gofyer began to repent as he got older, realizing he had been duped by Kyriu. Nothing Kyriu had promised him had come to pass and he was weary, watching as his once flourishing city degraded into something no better than prison and in some cases, worse. His last official act was a tour of the city. Gofyer walked through the city streets, his eyes filled with tears, as he witnessed firsthand the end result of the decrees that bore his name. Meager crowds had gathered to see their once loved ruler. Tears filled their eyes as well at the man they saw lurching through the city streets, body broken and frail, spirit all but gone from his eyes, crushed by the plight of his city. Gofyer had stopped to talk to those gathered, offering a meek apology, when a hooded man emerged from the crowd. Enraged by the death of his brother in prison, he attacked Gofyer, stabbing him multiple times. Gofyer had chosen not to bring a security detail with him, wanting to be as close to the people as he could one last time. Gofyer died in the street, the small group of people he had stopped to chat with coming to his rescue and subduing his attacker. If any of them had paid attention, they would have seen a dark figure shrink back into the shadows of a nearby alley.

  Since that time, each successive Citadel ruler had become more and more oppressive; all under the watchful eye and tutelage of Kyriu.

  Lozan looked at the picture and smiled. It looked peaceful and serene and he thought of why he had it painted in the first place. Lozan wanted to remind himself every day that he ruled Brankin Huoh. He made the laws that enforced peace; made the laws that filled the prisons and work yards. Lozan ruled with an iron fist and he wanted this peaceful, gentle reminder visible to him every day to remind him of what it was that he was crushing. Without hesitating further he stepped toward the picture and slid his hand along the top of the frame. His fingers found the release he was looking for and he pushed it. The picture eased away from the wall on silent hinges. Lozan pulled it wide enough to admit himself and stepped into the tunnel it concealed.

  The tunnel was his second commission as Citadel ruler. It took his craftsmen long to bore out the tunnel but Lozan demanded it under the guise of needing an escape route should the Citadel ever fall. There was some resistance to the tunnel's creation at first. There were arguments that if the tunnel led out, it also led in; a definite security risk. People also found it hard to believe such a tunnel necessary as Brankin Huoh hadn't been attacked in recorded history. Lozan fixed that quick enough. All it took was a few well designed but harmless attacks on the Citadel and the resistors forgot all about the tunnel not being needed.

  As he pulled the picture closed behind him, Lozan was swallowed in darkness. He hadn't bothered bringing a torch. He had walked the steps often enough and he knew them well, even in the dark. Besides, the smell of smoke may have attracted unwanted attention to his quarters looking to make sure everything was alright. He counted the steps as he walked, one hand trailing gently along the wall beside him. The cold rock face felt good on his hand and soothed his anger for the moment but Lozan was already thinking about the other end of the tunnel. It was there that the real reason he had commissioned the tunnel dwelt. Lozan wondered if he would be there. In past times Lozan would send a signal that he desired to meet but as this had been a spur of the moment decision, there had been no time to send one.

  The rock wall began to feel moist under his fingertips and Lozan knew he was close to the end of the tunnel. The water was a consequence of the tunnel being bored in close proximity to the falls. The churning water seeped its way into the tunnel, making the stairs slick and dangerous. Lozan slowed his pace to compensate and took the last section of stairs with tiny, deliberate steps and came face to face with a rock wall. He fumbled around the wall on his right hand side and felt the lever that would release this hidden door and pulled it. The rock face in front of him rolled open accompanied by a rumbling and grating of stone. It felt like he was coming out of a sarcophagus. Lozan winced at the light as it lanced into the darkness making him see spots as his eyes adjusted.

  The cool air drifted in and Lozan took a deep breath and stepped forward, casting a wary eye out the opening first to make sure the coast was clear. As expected there was nothing out of the ordinary and Lozan strode into the light of day. He stopped and wondered if he should close the door behind him but decided against it. Lozan wasn't going to be long and besides there were many guard stations that were watching for unwanted visitors. That reminded him that he needed to take care not to be spotted himself. The Citadel ruler wandering alone at the top of the waterfall would bring a full squad to his side in moments and for this meeting Lozan required secrecy.

  Leaving the door ajar for his return, Lozan scurried to his left following a narrow path. It sloped down toward the river and then swooped to the right, continuing along the side of the cliff wall that the river had long ago carved from the stone. The river beside him was flowing fast as it rolled off the edge of the cliff and plunged down, past the Citadel, and thundered into the pool at the bottom. He couldn't help but think abou
t Tagan's escape via that same waterfall and he shook his head.

  The trees started to thicken along the path and the sound of the waterfall faded as Lozan went. The path had leveled off and was drifting away from the river and into the trees. Lozan had never come up here without signaling first and he didn't know how Tyhreb would react.

  It had been a day very similar to this, long ago when Lozan had discovered Tyhreb. It was the only name for him that Lozan knew and he wasn't even sure if it was his name. Lozan only knew it was the sound the man made when he had asked him his name. Lozan had become an adept in training. Things were so much different in the Citadel back then. The adepts were full of curiosity, seeking only to further their knowledge. The thought of who would rule the Citadel when the current ruler passed was never spoken of. But Lozan was different. He always had been. His plans for seizing Citadel ruler ship were only a seed then, germinating in his mind, but the seed was there and he nurtured it every chance he could. Lozan never spoke of his plans to rule the Citadel but his teachers were smart and they had a feel for things that was uncanny. Lozan was sure they knew of his aspirations and that was why he and Urthaj had been sent up into the mountains above the Citadel. They were supposed to search for herbs and such, for use in the kitchen but Lozan knew they wanted him away from the Citadel as much as possible. Limit his time to politic and network. No matter, he would do what he was commanded in good faith if it would keep the teachers off of his back.

  Lozan and Urthaj had left the Citadel at first light, cresting the peak of the rise before noon. They would only have a few hours to find the herbs they were looking for before they had to head back. They were both hot and sweaty by the time they reached the top and decided to take lunch near the river. They ate and took off their robes, enjoying a dip in the chilly water. Deciding they better get to work they donned their robes once more and followed the trail along the river’s edge. It was less direct but it would still take them to the meadow where most of the herbs they needed grew. As they came around a corner they stopped. Lying close to the river’s edge was a large form. It was covered in dirt and twigs, tufts of hair poking out where there was no muck. They stared at it for a second, worried they had stumbled across a bear or something, but the form didn't move. Looking closer they could see that it was no bear but it didn't look like a man either. Even lying there he looked more muscular than any man Lozan had seen.

  "We should go back and report this Urthaj." Lozan was eyeing the prone form. So far it hadn't moved at all.

  "Why?" Urthaj screwed up his face in disbelief. "It ain’t doing anything. Besides, I think it’s dead."

  "You know the rules. Nobody is allowed to be up here but adepts and the Citadel ruler."

  "I didn't peg you for such a rule follower Lozan. I thought you were smarter than that." Urthaj mocked and then started toward the form before Lozan could stop him.

  "Urthaj, don't." Lozan was frozen to the spot. He was stinging from Urthaj's comment but deep down he was also curious and stood there to see what would happen.

  Urthaj stooped and picked up a long stick as he approached the form. He got close, but not too close, and looked back at Lozan. He took a deep breath and prodded the form in the back.

  Lozan held his breath and time seemed to stand still.

  Nothing happened.

  Urthaj poked the body once more. No response. "You see Lozan, dead." He cast away his stick.

  Lozan still didn't move. He didn't know why. Some part of him was telling him to stay back.

  Urthaj walked around the form in baby steps, tip-toing with great care, to where he could see the front and crouched down to get a better look.

  "Urthaj, get back here." Lozan hissed, terrified, but Urthaj didn't hear him. Two powerful, hairy arms shot out and grabbed Urthaj by the head and pulled him close. Lozan couldn't see his face but could hear Urthaj screaming as he struggled to free himself.

  Able to break through the fear that was holding him in a trance, Lozan raced to help Urthaj. Lozan ran around the form but by the time he got there, it was all over. Urthaj lay curled up on the grass like a little baby, whimpering to himself, but seemed otherwise unharmed. Lozan grabbed him and dragged him away from the form. Urthaj didn't flinch and lay on the grass still moaning to himself. Lozan looked back at the form. Its eyes were open and they transfixed Lozan, appealing to him. Lozan could feel a dark strength pervading the man and it made him feel as if the two of them were kindred spirits.

  Lozan never understood why he did what he did but he approached the form, staying out of arms reach. Up close Lozan could see he was more like a man but not unlike a beast. Lozan had never seen anything like it before in his life. It communicated with hand motions and head movements and a guttural voice that only made sound; nothing intelligible. Lozan could see the man was hurt and his adept training took over. He assisted the man with a large gash he had across his chest and stomach, then fetched him some water. It was while the man was drinking that Lozan tried to question him and the name Tyhreb came from his mouth. Once Tyhreb was comfortable, Lozan was able to get Urthaj to his feet and they ran around the meadow like rabbits, grabbing all the herbs they could and went back to the Citadel. Urthaj never spoke of what happened but it changed him. He stopped his belligerent ways and conformed to the Citadel standard, even becoming a model adept.

  The opposite was true for Lozan and a darkness settled over him as he solidified plans and started take the first steps on a different life path.

  After their first encounter Lozan made many solo trips up to Tyhreb over the years and they forged a friendship, if you could call it that. It was more of a working relationship. At first it was so Lozan could help Tyhreb heal but Lozan was also able to teach Tyhreb how to communicate. Lozan did his best to ensure that Tyhreb was left alone. Even now as ruler, this area was off limits. Nobody was allowed to enter without his consent but since nobody asked to go there, he never had to give it.

  For his part, Tyhreb stayed out of sight of the guards and did the odd job that Lozan had for him, jobs of the nefarious type. Lozan didn’t want any blood on his hands and he discovered that Tyhreb had a penchant for violence and he was exceedingly good at it. It was a relationship that worked for them both.

  It was quiet now, the trees and brush dampening sound and letting light through in intermittent bursts, making it difficult for Lozan's eyes to adjust to the hazy dimness. There were no birds chirping, no bugs buzzing around. It was hot and oppressive and Lozan was regretting wearing his full robe when he heard a snap and stopped in midstride holding his breath, afraid to move. It seemed like forever but the noise didn't repeat and Lozan assumed he had imagined it and he started walking again. He took perhaps ten steps and then heard a swish of branches. He spun around to see where the noise was coming from and a hand clamped over his mouth, another on the back of his head. Lozan panicked and grabbed at the hands. He wrenched at them as he was lifted and carried into the bush as if he were lighter than air. Lozan struggled for a moment but tried to calm himself. It had to be Tyhreb.

  They didn't go far and Lozan was thrown to the ground. He made to get up but a large boot stomped onto his chest, pinning him to the ground. Lozan's gaze followed the leg, continuing up the chest and found Tyhreb staring down at him a menacing snarl on his face as he drew his sword.

  "Tyhreb, it's me." Lozan struggled to speak under the weight of Tyhreb's boot, his voice coming out in a squeak.

  "No signal." Tyhreb continued to push his boot down on Lozan's chest.

  Lozan looked at him in disbelief. He knew that Tyhreb was big on following established protocol but this was taking it too far. Tyhreb had done many dirty deeds for Lozan over the years. The non-signal shouldn't be an issue.

  "I didn't have time to send a signal but I need your services.”

  Tyhreb stared down at Lozan for a moment that felt like twenty, sword twitching in his hand, as if he were deciding if he wanted to hear what Lozan had to say or not. Lozan wouldn't put it
past Tyhreb to kill him. It would make no difference to him.

  Tyhreb conceded and removed his large boot from Lozan's chest and stepped back but did not sheath his sword. "What?"

  Lozan scrambled to his feet and wiped the leaves from his robe as well as the dirt that Tyhreb's boot had left. An outline remained however but Lozan ignored it and got down to business. He didn't have much time. "I need to you find someone and bring them to me."

  "Dead?" Tyhreb was hopeful.

  "Not this time. I need him alive." Lozan knew of Tyhreb’s love of violence. It was what made him so useful to Lozan. Tyhreb could wade through a platoon of men, killing them in the most gruesome ways imaginable as he went, then stop for lunch like he had been tilling the field. Life was of little concern to him. Lozan didn't know what was of concern to Tyhreb and he didn't care. Lozan would use him for what he needed, as he did anybody else.

  "Who?"

  "The farmer, Kenok. I need to question him on some..." Lozan noticed Tyhreb, eyes closed shaking his head and waving his non sword hand around in front of him as if were trying to ward off wasps. Too much information Lozan realized. Tyhreb only needed to know who or what. Anything else caused him to overload. "You know who Kenok is then?"

  "Yes." Tyhreb’s large face was impassive.

  Tyhreb was always a short on words so Lozan had no idea how well he knew Kenok or if he only knew of him. For all Lozan knew, Kenok and Tyhreb were old buddies. Not that it would matter, Tyhreb had a job to do and he would deliver. Tyhreb would probably deliver his own mother as long as he was getting paid.

  "Usual fee." Tyhreb extended his hand.

  Lozan produced a small leather pouch and dropped it into Tyhreb's large hand with a slight jingle. "I'll pay you again when you bring Kenok to me alive."

  Tyhreb’s eyes glowed at mention of a double payment and he shoved the pouch into his breast pocket. "Four days."

  Lozan knew this was when he could expect to have Kenok in his possession and nodded.

  "Next time, signal." Tyhreb made a slashing gesture across his throat with his sword, then sheathed it. Without another word he stalked off and disappeared into the brush like he was a breeze that blew through.

  Lozan exhaled like he had been holding his breath the entire time and when he was sure Tyhreb was gone, made his way back to the tunnel entrance as fast as his legs would go.

  Chapter 22