***
Tranthra’ Joh uncovered a glow as he came into his chambers. It’d been a long day and he wasn’t thrilled with the progress -- or lack of progress, more like. He kicked off his boots and moved over to pour himself a drink. Suddenly the room seemed to dim. Tranthra turned. It was if the light were being sucked from the room. Then he noticed. A dark spot was gathering in the center of the room. Instantly he was on his knees, head bowed to the floor.
“You may rise.”
“Master.” Tranthra raised his head slowly, but didn’t get off his knees. “You have been gone such a long time.”
“Stand. Move closer,” Nemesis said.
Tranthra’ Joh complied, moving nearer to where Nemesis stood. He was dressed, as always in his dark uniform, the gem on his right breast seemed to blaze in counterpoint to the dark swirling focused around the center of his breast.
“I’ve been out finding good men to work with in gathering other cities. The time is very near. You’ll be happy to note everything has gone well with your sister city, “Sunzah’ Nu Geeza. All is in readiness.”
Tranthra’ Joh bowed his head, “That is good Master. I trust my man has performed well?” What Tranthra meant, but couldn’t say outright, I hope you remember your promises to me. I’m serving well too.
“Report.” Nemesis said.
Tranthra’ Joh hesitated for the briefest of instances, gathering his thoughts. How much should he tell him? He knows so much on his own. If he left anything out, would he know?
“Everything progresses well here . . . We disposed of Javin, as you commanded, and the Prince, but unfortunately we gained nothing from the Princess. She is proving most stubborn. But we expect success very soon.”
The look on Nemesis’s face made Tranthra’ Joh stop.
“You gained nothing? So you wasted an opportunity.”
“It couldn’t be avoided Master.”
“What else has gone wrong?”
Did he know?
“Master, the city seems unsettled. The people are demanding to see the Princess. It is taking just a bit longer than we’d planned. There is the old Keeper, one who has influence who’s been fomenting agitation –“
”You are letting an old man get to you? Perhaps I have chosen wrong and need to find another who can rule.”
“No Master. Everything is in hand. I bring it up merely to inform you.” Tranthra’s throat was starting to constrict. “I know exactly how to handle the city. We are very close to getting what we need from the Princess then we will be ready.”
“Don’t trifle with me! I know exactly what you need already. But first, you need a little more training, I think.”
Nemesis narrowed his eyes and Tranthra’s back stiffened as he saw the dark swirling centered on Nemesis’s chest began to increase.
Pain flashed through Tranthra’s body and darkness covered his mind. He couldn’t see, his mind blackened. Tremendous pressure seemed to turn him inside out, stripping his body and sinew. He opened his mouth to scream, but no sound would come. There was no air to gather in, there was nothing but the pain, the stripping, and the darkness so intense he thought he’d ceased to be.
Then air swirled into his lungs and he felt his mind open again as he collapsed to the floor, thankful to feel something tangible again. The pain echoed through his frame. He looked up. Nemesis was still seated on the chair with his eyes closed. He opened them slowly, and the swirling at his breast slowed.
“Now listen close. I’ll tell you where the Princess’ sister is. You will not fail me again.” His tone spoke of the certainty of his punishment, not the certainty of his success.”
“I’ll not fail Master.” Tranthra’ Joh gasped as he struggled to his feet.
“I know.” Nemesis said.