Chapter 85: A Cat

Chapter 85: A Cat

After Kashtiliash returned, Seer Yahel took them on a whirlwind tour of the keep. Yahel seemed overly attentive to Kashtiliash, to the point where it occasionally became uncomfortable for Xerxes.

Kash is like me, he thought. Sixteen or seventeen years old. And isnt she like two hundred?

It was creepy.

That, coupled with the idea of the bronze statue of the tree sitting on a cart in a courtyard so closeby, made it hard for Xerxes to pay attention to the tour. At one point, she took them into an ornately decorated room to have tea, and when he stepped to the window and looked down, he realized they were just above the courtyard with the carts.

He wanted to burst out of the window, rush to the cart, tear the tarp off, grab the key, and run.

But Gandy was still detained, and he had no idea what would be involved in freeing him with force. Besides, it didnt seem wise to antagonize the sheiks people.

Something catch your attention? Yahel asked.

Xerxes looked over to where she and Kashtiliash sat.

He blinked. Oh, nothing. I just realized we walked through that courtyard down there, earlier today. Those are the items youre sending as payment for the release of the Black Jackal Company?

She rose and joined him at the window. Yes, those are the items. Worth several million shekels. Well send the carts over the river after the curfew this evening, when the streets are empty. Dont worry, youll have your Captain back by tomorrow, no doubt about it. Now, would you like to head up to one of the towers? We can see what this so-called Abhorrent invasion is shaping up to look like.

Sure.

As they climbed the spiral stairs leading to the top of one the towers, Xerxes realized his heart was pounding. Towers. Abhorrent.

He didnt like the combination.

First had been the tower he climbed with Bel and Captain Iskhi. Then the temporary watchtower on the road, before the battle when Enusat died.

He stopped in place on the stairs.

You dont believe in omens, he thought. He remembered Mystic Rabya lecturing about the subject. The crux of the class had been that only omens perceived by means of spellcasting by Hasasu mages could be considered true omens. Anything else, including the countless folk superstitions that proliferated in all parts of the empire, were just that: superstitions.

Correlation doesnt prove causation, Rabya said. Does anyone know what Macrides wrote about that?

Ningal raised her hand. He said that you have to avoid the tendency to notice random connections between things. For instance, you have red wine before a battle, and then come out victorious. Several months later, you drink red wine again before another successful battle. Superstitious people might start thinking red wine leads to victory in battle. But its nothing more than coincidence.

Thats right, Rabya said. Or in the case of Black Jackal classroom, we have Enusat, who thinks that never washing his socks makes him a better sword fighter.

Thats rude! Enusat grumbled. Everyone laughed.

Xerxes sighed at the thought that both Enusat and Ningal were dead.

Xerk? Kashtiliash said. Something wrong?

Xerxes looked up to see both Kashtiliash and Yahel looked down the stairs in his direction. No, he said. Just distracted.

He hurried to catch up. The view from the tower top was breathtaking. But from this high vantage point, it wasnt possible to see any Abhorrent. Were they so close to the city walls that they werent visible? Or were they lurking in the hills off in the distance?

Yahel laughed. See? The Abhorrent arent anything to worry about right now.

Kashtiliash said something in response that Xerxes didnt note. It was actually surprising how well he was able to carry a conversation when necessary.

As they climbed back down the tower staircase, Yahel said, I have a few important matters to attend to before the evening meal. Would the two of you like to join me? For dinner I mean? If so, I can arrange for something to keep you occupied until then.

No thanks, Xerxes said. If its okay with you, well go make a few final preparations for when the Captain is released. You said itll be first thing in the morning, right?

Thats right.

Perfect. Well come back tomorrow then.

There were some more formalities, but eventually they parted ways with Yahel and walked in the direction of the wall.

You owe me, Kashtiliash said.

Look, Kashtiliash said, pointing.

Across the way, the gate was opening. A line of troops filed out, bearing shields and spears.

Xerxes counted six. Ten. Twenty.

Damn, he whispered. Theyre not joking around.

After the foot soldiers came cavalry. At least ten mounted warriors.

Then there was a tall man with a longsword sheathed at his back.

Whos that? Kashtiliash said.

A Seer named Simeon, Xerxes answered. He knows the Epitome.

After Simeon were more footsoldiers. Then came the carts, each of which had four soldiers attached to it. Xerxes supposed he shouldnt have been surprised, given that they were escorting millions of shekels worth of valuables. Nonetheless, the sight of dozens upon dozens of soldiers, accompanied by mages, was daunting.

We still going through with this? Kashtiliash asked.

Xerxes gnawed at his cheek as he thought. Then he said, Yes. Once we see if they turn left or right, go signal Kat and Dasi.

Behind the carts were more soldiers. Xerxes lost track of the exact count, but estimated their number at about a hundred. At the end of the procession was another mage, a young man. He carried no weapons, shield, or anything else, for that matter. But Xerxes could tell by his garments that he was a Seer.

Around the same time that the gates closed, the procession reached the intersection and turned left.

Go time, Xerxes said. Follow the plan.

Kashtiliash nodded and dashed toward the side of the building to send the signal to Katayoun and Dasi.

Meanwhile, Xerxes, still crouched low, ran to the edge of the building and leaped to the next building over. Continuing in that manner, he went one more building down, then pulled himself into the shadows of a rooftop grape vine. From there, he had a perfect view of the intersection where Dasi would make her move.

Minutes passed with agonizing slowness. Kashtiliash went in a different direction, so he didnt spot him. Eventually, the troops appeared. Then Simeon. Then the carts.

Almost time.

Xerxes watched as the carts trundled down the empty streets.

The yowl of a cat broke the silence, and then Xerxes caught a blur of motion near one of the carts.

Dasi, he thought.

She ran under the cart with the tree. The troops guarding the procession reacted very quickly, but when they realized it was just a cat, they relaxed.

What is it? he heard Simeon yell.

Stray cat, one of the soldiers called back. It jumped in the cart.

Xerxes heard some scattered laughter. Simeon started moving in the direction of the cart.

Get it out of there, the mage said. Last thing we want is it jumping out and the rebels think were attacking them.

Its under the tarp.

Simeon stepped up to the cart. Then flip the damn thing back!

As soldiers scrambled to comply, Xerxes continued to gnaw his lip. Come on, Dasi. Come on.

The very moment the soldier untied a corner rope and flipped the tarp back, a large tabby cat leaped out from inside, provoking a shout from the soldier.

Xerxes was fairly certain he saw a glint of metal in the cats mouth.

The cat landed on the soldiers chest, scrambled over him, and made to leap away.

Until Simeon jumped forward and grabbed it by the scruff of the neck.