It took a moment for Braulor to register the boy staring at him, the plate of food he was being offered coming dangerously close to being dropped. He returned the stare as he realized that this was the boy that Alrei Yqu had charged him with finding. He matched the image that Alrei Yqu had shared with him.
"What is your name?" Braulor was breathless, heart pounding at his ribs like someone playing the drums as he waited for the answer.
Tagan came to his senses when the prisoner spoke to him. "Tagan.”
Now it was Braulor’s turn to gape. His body went still as if moving would ruin the moment and he would find out he was only dreaming. He was overjoyed at his luck but that quickly faded when he realized that he was in the Citadel prison. Many people that went in never came out and if they did get out, they were never the same. Braulor was someone the Citadel had wanted to get their hands on for some time and he would be lucky to live through the week, let alone get out. Here he had been so concerned with how he was going to get into the Citadel and find Tagan in the first place and now here he was, coming to him as if summoned, but there seemed to be no feasible way out.
"You look so familiar to me." Tagan was still staring. "Your eyes are just like my father's."
Braulor noticed a resemblance to Tagan but didn't know how much the boy already knew or what he should tell him but it didn’t matter as a prison guard came along and broke up their meeting before they could really talk to each other.
"Move it along here Tagan. Don't you have more deliveries to make?"
Tagan hastily handed Braulor the food he had prepared and resumed pushing his cart out the door and down the hall, taking one last look back as he turned a corner out of sight.
Braulor sat down on his bed and ate. He realized it had been at least a few days’ time since he had been caught during his fight with Lyrell in the river. Because he had been so eagerly following Lyrell’s tracks, Braulor didn't pay attention that he was getting close to the boundaries of the Citadel patrols. Alerted to their presence by the fight and, a patrol swooped in and grabbed them both. Lyrell was well known to the captain of the patrol, having given him information in the past and garnered leeway because of it. It was Lyrell who tipped off the captain as to who they had actually captured. After a bit of all too brief deliberation the captain decided that Braulor was the only one worth keeping and they let Lyrell go free.
Lyrell made sure to give Braulor a smug smile as he walked away, even though his eyes smoldered with hatred that he would not get to finish the job he had started. They glared at each other as the assassin helped himself to Braulor's possessions and then slunk away from the patrol without so much as a backward glance. The patrol continued on to complete the sweep they had been charged with before returning to the Citadel with their prize. Braulor was bound and forced to march at the front of the vanguard while the patrol abused him. He shook his head at his foolhardiness. Now he had missed his opportunity to intercept Tagan before the induction.
Coming across Tagan in such a short time invigorated Braulor though. It was almost like it was preordained and it gave him hope while he tried to think of a way of escaping but each idea that came to mind was shortly followed by the fact that he was in the Citadel jail. There was little hope of getting out at all. Escaping with an inductee that was under close supervision was as ludicrous as it sounded. With that thought parading around his head Braulor put his dirty crockery on the floor of his cell and lay back on his cot, swinging his legs up and throwing the patchwork blanket he was given, over himself and he fell into a fit-full sleep.
Plagued with confusion, Tagan barely noticed the regular amounts of abuse he continued to receive as the days passed. He lay awake in bed long after lights out, trying to make sense of things. He and Braulor, as he found out that was the prisoners name, had several short talks as Tagan came through with food but they could never really communicate as the guards made sure to keep Tagan moving along if they noticed him loitering. He couldn't explain it but Tagan felt that Braulor had something to do with him. It wasn't anything that Braulor said directly to him but there was something about him. Braulor reminded Tagan so much of his father, Kenok, that it was downright scary. Braulor had the exact same eyes, but it was more than that. It was the way he moved his hands when he talked. The way he walked when he was up and about. Tagan wondered if there was a connection at all or if he was making it up because Braulor had befriended him. Tagan wished he could go see his mom and dad, but inductees were not permitted to leave the grounds of the Citadel and parents were not allowed to visit until after the first six months. Tagan even tried reaching into Quanna Eresse, for guidance. He had been so busy since the induction that he hadn't tried in quite some time. Even the accidental drifts into the other world he experienced from time to time had ceased. Now that he was consciously trying, he couldn't make it happen. Not being able to join Quanna Eresse scared him more than he had thought possible. Over the years he had become so used to Quanna Eresse being there when he wanted it, it had become a part of him; a place of refuge when things were going bad in the real world. Now he needed it more than ever and it wasn't there. He struggled and pushed to make it happen, breaking out in a sweat from the effort but nothing helped. Having exhausted all avenues he would drift off to sleep and before he knew it, the guards were awakening him for the start of yet another day, another turn of the cycle.
Lozan kept close tabs on Tagan’s progress as Kyriu had instructed. He wanted to make sure he had all the answers Kyriu could possibly be looking for when he next returned. Lozan demanded daily reports from Tagan's trainers for anything out of the ordinary. All reports indicated that Tagan was a hardworking, intelligent boy. Yes, he was being pushed around by a few of the tougher kids but the trainers felt, and Lozan agreed, that a little tough love was something would help Tagan in the long run. Aside from the prison guards report that he had taken a liking to one of the prisoners, Tagan was another inductee struggling to make it through the first round of training. Lozan made a mental note to have that prisoner moved, better yet, killed.
Lozan was really looking for any incidences like the one that had happened on induction day, incidences that involved Tagan's use of the same energy that Kyriu used. There were none. That meant that the herbs they were putting in the inductees food and drink were doing their job. The herbs were discovered long ago to have the potent ability to block that kind of mental activity. Since then they had been putting it in the water supply for all the citizens of Brankin Huoh. It had made a huge difference in the people accepting the Citadel's rules and decrees no matter how oppressive they were.
Kyriu should be pleased with how he had been managing Tagan since the induction ceremony. Lozan had even met with Tagan on a few occasions to assess the boy himself and felt they were doing a decent job at keeping Tagan under heel. He contemplated for a moment more and then called for his servant. "Olkuu."
Olkuu materialized at his master’s side. “Yes, your excellence?”
"I wish to have that prisoner executed; the one that Tagan has been spending time with."
"Braulor, my lord?"
"Is that his name?” Lozan recognized Braulor’s name and he wondered why Tagan and Braulor would connect with one another as they had. They seemed so disparate. “No bother. I want him hung on the next day of execution."
"With no formal trial?" Olkuu rolled his eyes with regret. He had tried to bite his tongue but it was too late, the statement was already out there. He closed his eyes and cringed, ready for Lozan’s response.
Lozan looked at him, eyes ablaze with fury. "Am I not the ruler of this Citadel?" he shouted. His face was a blotchy red and spittle flew as he raged.
"Of course, my lord. I am sorry. So sorry." Olkuu bowed and grovelled for forgiveness, wishing the moment would pass. "I will have Braulor added to the execution register at once my lord."
“I should hope so,” Lozan seethed, "and if you ever question my decree again Olkuu, I will make certain that your
name is on that list."
Olkuu kept bowing and scraping, saying he was sorry until Lozan dismissed him.
Lozan paced around the Citadel burial chamber, one nervous lap after the other. His adepts squeezed themselves out of his way as he passed. Why did Kyriu have to be coming back now? There couldn't possibly be a worst time. Not only were there to be prisoner executions in the week ahead but Lozan and several other local rulers were in the midst of meetings, planning and coordinating their agendas.
And then there was Tagan. Lozan cursed the name and started another loop around the chamber, stomping as he went, wishing he had never heard it. If it wasn't for Tagan, everything would be business as usual. Kyriu would not be returning for a second time so soon and Lozan would be planning Brankin Huoh’s future with the assembled leaders. Lozan hadn't finished that thought when Kyriu appeared. There were no preparations, no chanting, none of the usual ritual that surrounded Kyriu's arrival. Kyriu was just there. Lozan was so startled that he forgot to bow. When he went to do so, Kyriu chided him. "It’s ok Lozan."
"But the ritual. How did you get here without it?"
"There was enough energy still in the chamber from the last ritual. I was able to use it to bring myself here."
A part of Lozan’s brain became uncertain of the necessity behind the ritual at all but decided against questioning Kyriu further. "Your usual chambers are ready for you."
"How are the meetings progressing? I know that you are hosting them this time around."
"As well as can be expected. We are to reconvene shortly. I called for a break so I could meet you here."
"Excellent. I will be joining the meeting. I have some insights I wish to share. Have Tagan deliver food to my chamber when he is finished in the dungeons." Kyriu marched off leaving a perplexed Lozan in his wake.
Tagan pushed the food laden cart down the hall, turning into the guardhouse area. The gate to the prison area was locked and Tagan looked around for an on duty guard. Not seeing one close at hand he entered the guard station to see if anyone was there. The room was unoccupied and Tagan stood for a second, stumped. This hadn't happened before. There was always someone there to let him in. He glanced at the parchment on the table standing aside the doorway and something caught his eye. He leaned in for a closer look and Braulor's name jumped off the page at him. Looking at the top of the page it was clear this was a list of prisoners to be executed and his heart leapt into his throat. How could this be happening? Braulor was to be killed and Tagan had come no closer to figuring out why he felt so connected to him. He made to step inside for a closer look at the parchment and a hand clamped tightly around his arm.
"What do you think you are doing?" a rough voice said.
Tagan recognized the voice as belonging to Ekblad, one of the more lenient guards, but he still thought fast for a reason to cover his actions. He knew he shouldn’t be poking around. "I’m looking for you. No-one was here to let me in."
Ekblad looked around like he had something to hide. "I stepped away for a moment to take care of business. That's all. No reason to go nosing about.”
"Ok but I need to deliver this food. I am behind schedule as it is.” Tagan felt pressed and wanted to get out of there and warn Braulor.
Ekblad leaned into the guardhouse, snatched an iron ring filled with keys from a hook on the wall and stomped over to the gate. He unlocked it and wrenched it open, scowling at Tagan as he passed. "Make it quick.”
Tagan pushed the cart through the gate and Ekblad slammed it behind him. It was so close Tagan could feel the bars pressing into his backside. Ekblad then stood watching Tagan as he started to distribute food.
Tagan went about his business as normal as he could, delivering food to the prisoners with the usual dry, mechanical delivery, not wanting to give anything away. After distributing a few meals he risked a look back and Ekblad was no longer on the other side of the gate. Tagan finished the rest of his deliveries as fast as he could, rushing through them, slopping food here and there on his cart in his haste. He couldn’t get to the last cell fast enough and tell Braulor what he had discovered in the guard house. He gave out the second to last serving, almost throwing it through the bars and didn't even wait for the prisoner to return the previous meals dishes before racing to Braulor's cell, stopping short as he arrived. Tagan’s heart sank as low as his jaw. Braulor was gone.
Braulor sat in a chair. The same chair Ekblad had left him in hours earlier. Braulor had been in his cell, his brain working double time as he tried to think of some way to escape with Tagan when a guard opened his cell. This could be the chance he had been waiting for and he thought of ways that he could attack the guard without rousing the attention of the other prisoners. Their hooting and hollering at watching a guard getting beaten would attract more guards, exactly what Braulor needed to avoid. Whatever he was going to do, it had to be quick and quiet. Braulor steeled himself.
Ekblad stood in the cell doorway, appraising Braulor with cruel eyes. "Alrei Yqu has requested a meeting," he said, exactly as Olkuu had instructed him. He didn’t know who Alrei Yqu was and he didn’t care. The why was for someone else to worry about, he only was doing what he was told.
Braulor’s attack was stymied even before he could launch it. Engine revving, nerves tingling in anticipation, it was like someone dumping a bucket of cold water over his head. Alrei Yqu? Here? Dozens of questions swooshed through his brain at a time but they all got clogged at the same point of confusion. Braulor didn't know what was going on but abandoned his plan of attack. Maybe Alrei Yqu heard that Braulor had been captured and had come to help him escape. He had to find out what Alrei Yqu wanted so he stowed the energy he had been building for his offensive and waited while Ekblad bound his wrists behind him, put a gag in his mouth and then covered his head with a bag. Ekblad then warned him not to try anything and led him along a circuitous route. Up many stairs and down many hallways, they padded like whispers. At long last the guard stopped him and Braulor heard the squeaky hinges of a door announce its opening. Ekblad walked him inside and sat him in a chair, removed the hood from his head and yanked the gag from his mouth. Braulor squeezed his eyes shut at the sudden brightness and opened them only a crack as Ekblad warned him to be quiet one more time, then left the room, locking the door behind him.
Braulor looked around at his surroundings. He had never been in such an opulent room before. High, vaulted ceilings, painted in muted, earthy tones. An impressive assortment of beddings and furniture filled the floor area. Tables were lavished with crockery of gold and silver that gleamed in the light of the sun which poured in from a tall, arched window. He paced around the room several times admiring the art and the view from the window but grew tired of it and returned to the chair to wait. His stomach rumbled reminding him that Tagan was on the way toward his empty cell to deliver his afternoon meal. He wondered again why Alrei Yqu wanted to see him. Here of all places. How did Alrei Yqu come to be here? Braulor shook his head. He was surprised Alrei Yqu was here in the Citadel but at the same time, it didn’t surprise Braulor one bit. He had given up long ago trying to figure out how Alrei Yqu operated. His eyes grew heavy as he waited.
The door hinges squeaked and Braulor's eyes popped open. He had dozed off but didn’t really sleep, his mind churning over his situation. Now he watched and waited with bated breath. The door was open only a crack and he could hear a voice. "That will be all for now Olkuu,” followed by a pair of shoes clopping away, echoing as they went. The door remained ajar for a while longer, neither opening nor closing and Braulor grew antsy in his chair. What was going on? With a forceful thrust, the door opened wide, admitting Alrei Yqu.
Braulor was never so happy to see someone he knew and stood immediately, his hands still bound, a huge grin on his face.
"Well, well, well Braulor. I knew you were resourceful but I didn't foresee you getting yourself thrown in the Citadel dungeons." Alrei Yqu found the whole situation to be quite humorous and a smile stretched his mouth
ear to ear.
"I found Tagan, Alrei Yqu. He delivered food to my cell the first day I was here. I couldn't believe my luck."
"Here let me help you with those."
Braulor was trying to gesture but couldn’t because of his bonds. Alrei Yqu stepped toward Braulor, spun him around and flicked out a claw, severing the cords binding his wrist.
Braulor turned, rubbing his wrists, the grin from a few moments earlier replaced by a confused look. "How did you know I was here?"
"There were whisperings that you had been captured. I had to come see for myself."
"Now that you're here you can help me escape with Tagan." Braulor was hopeful that if Alrei Yqu could get into the Citadel so easily, he could get out just as easily.
"I can't help you escape Braulor but I have arranged for you to have a meeting with Tagan. Here in this very room. He should be here in moments I would guess."
Braulor stared at Alrei Yqu, amazed. Only he would go to the trouble of coming here and not help him escape. "But where am I?"
"This would be the chambers the Citadel ruler reserves for guests of high importance I would think." Alrei Yqu glanced around at the grand furnishings, looking unimpressed.
"That explains the luxuriousness.” Braulor became disgusted at the splendor on display when most citizens of Brankin Huoh lived in relative squalor. "So I have to find my way through the Citadel to get out?" Braulor felt like he had jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire.
"It will be a challenge but you must find a way. The future of human kind depends on it."
Braulor slumped back into the chair, despairing. He had no weapons and the layout of the Citadel’s interior was not common knowledge. Even if they had weapons, there were bound to be guards at every turn. He would have to leave a trail of corpses if he tried to fight his way out.
"I have other pressing matters to which I must attend Braulor. I leave you to your task." Alrei Yqu turned and was out the door and gone before Braulor could ask any more questions.
Kyriu pulled the door firmly shut behind him, his scaly hand lingering on the door handle a moment as he regained control of his faculties. He had gotten out of there just in time. He could feel Alrei Yqu’s essence slipping from his body as if he were emerging from the depths of lake. ‘Did I do well master?’ The words echoed in his mind. Kyriu shuddered, wondering if he would ever get used to the shivery feeling of his body returning to its natural state. Between dismissing Olkuu and entering his quarters to meet with Braulor, Kyriu ingested the potion that Alrei Yqu had taught to make. It was quite smooth, like pleasant tasting water, but it was powerful and it delivered the ability for Alrei Yqu’s spirit to enter Kyriu’s body and take control of his body, even changing physically to take on Alrei Yqu’s look. They hadn’t used it often for it exacted a toll on both of them but Alrei Yqu needed to meet with Braulor and he did not want to manifest into the Citadel, Kyriu’s body had to host his spirit.
“You did well Kyriu,” Alrei Yqu’s voice firing somewhere deep in Kyriu’s mind. “Everything is starting to come together. Soon I will be free to walk this realm once more.”
And I will be there with you Kyriu thought as full control of his body was his once more. He turned and went off to join Lozan’s meeting.
Chapter 13