The Captain walked down Capital road, glancing up at the flapping banners as the fabric snapped in the wind. He scheduled a meeting with the Council soon after he received his report from Kosai, and surprisingly, received a quick response.
“Hypocrites,” he said to himself as he looked away from the emblem on the flag, the fist holding the wheat. Children were pouring out of the maze of cement buildings, running from each other and heading towards the fountain. All were underfed, all were dying of hunger. Wasting no time, the Captain began to jog up to the Capital building. Officials and clerks moved to the side as he ran by them and said nothing. When he reached the entrance to the Council room, the guards saluted him, and then stopped him.
“You’re early,” one of the guardsmen said. “You aren’t supposed to see the Council for another fifteen minutes.”
“Who says I’m here to see them?” the Captain replied. The guards were silent and then stood at attention. “Has the council had any other meetings this morning?”
“They have had one with the syndicate, something about how another transport company was started by some of their members, and then they have had a couple meetings between themselves, nothing more.”
“Do you know exactly what the syndicate was complaining about?”
“They wanted to know if there was some way to file a lawsuit against them or something. Their complaint was quickly dismissed.”
“Good,” the Captain said. “Just so you are aware, I am not going into this meeting just to report my investigation.” The Captain leaned in closely and lowered his voice. “Kosai has found the individual who is betraying the trade route information. We suspect that he is associated with the Council. I am not sure if it is a few members, or the whole, but part of this meeting will answer that. If I speak correctly, I could bring out some evidence that can be used against them. Right now, neither Kosai nor I have enough of a case to do anything about it.” Both guard’s eyes were wide open, yet still held the rest of their face and figure in at attention.
“And if the whole Council is behind the betrayed routes?” Terynn asked.
“Then I will find people to replace them and we will impeach them. It is our duty to the people.” The two guards nodded. “That is why I have needed you to listen to every meeting as best you can. Continue to do so and keep me informed.” The Captain straightened himself and stared at the large double doors. “Who is the Council meeting with now?”
“They have called a Grand Council meeting to talk about the limited success the caravans are facing,” one of the guards said. “They also want to know why the syndicate is so successful with their caravans.”
“At least now we know that not all of the Council is behind the betrayal. Do you know who called the meeting?”
“I’m not sure,” Terynn said. “Hemmel is on duty in the Council room. I’ll ask him when I get a chance.”
“And while you’re at it, ask him if he remembers if there was any division and who was on what side.” Someone began to yell inside the Council room, though the Captain couldn’t hear what was said. “And make sure he remembers that,” he said pointing at the room.
“Yes sir,” the guards said. The room quieted and the other guard came out.
“The Council will see you now sir,” said Hemmel. The Captain walked in and glanced at the representatives dressed in their red, blue, gold, and green colored robes. He then looked up at the council. Rodrick was red in the face, Steran sat with tight lips, Simmons had a wide and wicked smile, and Nicóla looked sideways at Kevyn. Kevyn looked at the back of his nails and tore loose flakes of skin from his fingers. The Captain smiled.
“Captain, how goes your investigation,” Rodrick said calmly, though hoarsely. His cheeks were still red.
“I have spent my time investigating the syndicate at every point. I have infiltrated their society using a ring from one of their members, took possession of financial records, met with high ranking officials to the lowest street sellers.”
“Oh good,” Councilor Steran said, smiling. “And what have you discovered?”
“Nothing.” When the Captain said this, Steran’s smile went straight to a frown. “There is no evidence of contracting nomadic tribes, or any reference to them having any type of access to the trade routes. All of their money is accounted for and backed by receipts.”
“But… but…” she stammered. The Captain raised an eyebrow.
“But what, Councilor Steran?” Councilor Rodrick asked.
“I was sure that they were behind it, positive. Are you sure you didn’t miss something?”
“Not unless you wanted me to find something,” the Captain replied.
“And what is that supposed to mean?” she responded, she shifted in her chair and rolled her shoulders. The Captain looked back at Hemmel who gave a short nod back.
“Captain,” Councilor Rodrick said, not even acknowledging Steran’s comment. “The capital will increase funding of the Guard to aid in the discovery of who’s at fault for betraying our routes. Tensions are high in the city and among us as you can see.” He shot a cold look over to Steran. She glanced at him and then looked away. “Are there any other groups or individuals you can think of that may be considered suspects?”
“My guards and a few other people that I closely trust are looking as we speak.”
“Whatever the cost of your investigation, we will cover it. If you need a warrant, anything you need, just ask. The sooner we come to the end of this, the better.”
“Thank you,” the Captain said. He turned to leave the room and looked at Hemmel. He nodded again and closed the doors behind the Captain.
“What’s the word sir?” one of the guards asked.
“Steran knows something. She wanted me to find something against the Three Brothers and was surprised that I failed. She went on the defensive when I exposed her desires. From that, I can gather that she wants me to focus on the Three Brothers until I find something, or she attempted to frame them and expected me to find something against them. Councilor Rodrick, on the other hand, will fund my investigation and has given me his full cooperation until I can find the bottom of this. Keep up the good work.” Both guards saluted and the Captain returned to the barracks.
He oversaw the recruits during their training exercises, correcting some of the younger students in their strikes and blocks. After, he did a demonstration on disarming an armed opponent and countering with a throw. He gave a few more instructions to Lieutenant Nuevon on other exercises he wanted done.
“After this training session, I need to speak with Deakon and Ulryck,” the Captain said. “I have an assignment for them.”
“Yes sir,” Nuevon said, frowning. The pair was sparring not too far away from the Captain and his lieutenant. Deakon was attempting to deflect a wooden knife from Ulryck. He could change his position to let the knife slide by him, but when he punched Ulryck’s wrist, the knife stayed.
“No harm will come to him,” the Captain said. “I just need a set of inconspicuous ears out in the city this evening.”
“He is small and weak,” Nuevon said, shaking his head. “I let him join because of his spirit. He wants to help the people, and protect his family. Each day, he is covered in bruises, and his confidence as a guardsman lessens.”
The Captain and Nuevon watched as the pair began the exercise again.
“Have I ever told you the story about the man, the spring and the boulder?” the Captain asked. Nuevon shook his head. “There was man who wanted the intelligence and wisdom to solve any problem. He went to the local sage and asked how he could attain this wisdom. The sage told the man to follow him and led him to a boulder. Underneath the bolder was a small trickle of water, not even big enough to drink from. The sage told him that the boulder was placed atop a spring, and if he could move the boulder, he could drink from the spring and then attain wisdom.
“The man pushed at the boulder all day and night and it didn’t move. He grabbe
d some timber, and using the timber as a leaver, tried to move the boulder, but without success. He tried to dig under the boulder to create a path for it to move, but the boulder crushed the soft earth. On the third night, he sat, watching the trickle of water flow out from underneath the boulder and thought of a solution.
“He took the timber and struck it against the rock. The timber split creating a sharp point on one end. With that sharp point, he dug next to the boulder, scooping out the loose dirt in the hole with his hands. The next morning, a pool of fresh water was next to the rock with a stream that flowed down the hill.
“When the sage saw this, he asked the man what he learned. The man said that it is easier to find a solution, than to solve a problem.”
“I don’t understand,” said Nuevon. The Captain pointed at Deakon and Ulryck.
“Your young recruit does,” he said.
Deakon was on the ground again after his disarming attempt failed. His brow was scrunched and he was panting heavily. Ulryck extended his hand to help him up, but Deakon brushed it away.
“Again?” Ulryck asked. Deakon nodded. Ulryck thrust the wooden knife, and slashed at Deakon’s face. Deakon dodged both attacks and avoided the knife, stepping back, sideways, changing his stance. Ulryck thrust the knife forward again. In an instant, Deakon stepped into his opponent. Ulryck’s attack missed as the blade slid against Deakon’s shirt. Deakon slammed the ridge of his hand into the side of Ulryck’s face. Ulryck was stunned for a split second, and in that second, Deakon grabbed Ulryck’s arm with both of his, and tossed him over his hip. Ulryck was on the ground with Deakon on top of him twisting Ulryck’s arm so that the knife point was touching Ulryck’s throat.
“Well done,” the Captain called out and applauded. Deakon looked up, smiled and then helped his mentor up. Ulryck smiled and patted Deakon on the back. “The path to wisdom was to drink the spring water,” the Captain said to Nuevon, “not to move the boulder. Wisdom is to focus what your goal is, not the problems that lie in front of it.”
The Captain excused himself from the training grounds and went into his office. He stared at the letters on his desk from the guards at the capitol building. Most were meetings with syndicate members and a few with the caravan drivers. The ones that interested him the most were the meetings when the council discussed the affairs of Noiknaer amongst themselves.
Some thought of asking the syndicate for help, others thought about asking for more donations from other cities to assist in the caravans, and other insisted on waiting on Kosai and the Captain to find a solution. But there was nothing, not a word said among the council members that would have hinted at the possibility of one of them, or some of them betraying the routes. He read the letters repeatedly, looking for the smallest phrase that could incriminate some member of the council, but there was nothing. Each phrase as Hemmel heard it was so carefully crafted so that the only intention was for the betterment of the people. There was a knock at the door.
“Enter,” the Captain said, still looking down at the papers. Ulryck and Deakon entered and stood at attention.
“You wanted to see us sir?” Ulryck asked.
“Yes, I have an assignment for the three of us,” the Captain said. Deakon smiled. “Go change into some plain street clothing. High ranking officials of the Three Brothers believe that an uprising or some sort of disaster is coming. First, we will go to the Forge. I’ve a set of eyes and ears there that have been listening as of late. I need both of you to be with me as witnesses to what Ellene says. After visiting the Forge, we will split up. Ulryck, you will go out into Market Street, Deakon, you will be in the Pavilion, and I am going to the Tangle. We need to listen to what people are saying. I want you to pay special attention to anything about an uprising, caravan routes or food shortages. If you hear anything, do not engage with the individual, just listen and the report back to me here in my office at midnight.” The Captain looked at Deakon. “I was impressed with your throw this afternoon. You were smart to see the opportunity. Keep using that brain of yours.”
“Thank you, sir,” he said.
“And sir, this was next to your door,” Ulryck said, handing a letter to the Captain. The Captain took the letter and looked at it.
“You’re excused.” The Captain waved the recruits away, still focused on the letter. It was from Hemmel.
Sir,
Rodrick, Nicóla, and Evaan are concerned about a possible uprising if the caravan issue is not resolved. Steran, Aleal, Simmons and Kevyn are very calm and reserved. Rodrick is requesting immediate action to preserve the integrity of the routes, but does not have enough votes from other representatives, or the Council. He is trying to convince the others that an uprising and rioting is a strong possibility. The other side, especially Councilor Steran and Simmons, place trust in you that you will be able to solve this problem.
The Captain read the letter a second time and then stood, looking at each of the lizard skulls, swords, pieces of armor, books, ledgers, and other decorations that explained who the Captain was, and what he was supposed to be: a defender of caravans, skilled in fighting arts, a scholar in military strategy, a teacher, and a leader. He looked at Kosai’s sword which lay behind his desk: a father. He read the letter a third time.
CHAPTER 19