Immanent Ascension

When Jad and Enusat were gone, Gandash said, “Well, Tizqar?”

“You want me to go statement by statement?”

“No, just your overall impression.”

Tizqar scratched one of his droopy jowls. “There’s no question about it: he killed the man. And he believes he acted in self-defense. As for whether he could have prevented the fight from happening… it’s hard to say what he thinks. I think even he’s not sure. In terms of how he healed himself and the mention of a pill….” Tizqar trailed off, took a deep breath, then exhaled sharply. “It’s strange. I felt like he was telling the truth. At the same time, he seemed… smug. If I was to guess, he did use a pill of some sort, but there’s more to the story that he didn’t reveal. Someone besides Jad must have helped out in some way.” Tizqar’s eyes flitted ever so briefly in Xerxes direction. “If you want, I could cast again and you could narrow the questions down.”

“There’s no need. Save your melam. And since this is an authorized use of spell components, you can add it to your list for compensation.”

“Yes, Captain.”

“Head back. I know rumors are going to fly, but keep the details of the interrogation confidential.”

Tizqar nodded and went back to the line, leaving Xerxes and Gandash alone.

“Did you know about this?” Gandash asked.

Xerxes felt like he was on the edge of a cliff. No, not a cliff. A tightrope.

“I did know,” he said. “I mean, I knew he was in a fight, and that he got hurt. I didn’t know he killed someone.”

Gandash closed his eyes and bowed his head.

“It was after you and I got into that argument,” Xerxes continued. “I think that’s when they snuck out of the camp. I looked for them, but couldn’t find them. I went to sleep. Sometime in the middle of the night, Jad came and woke me up. Said Enusat was hurt. So….”

Xerxes felt sick to his stomach. He was willing to accept responsibility for whatever happened, but it didn’t seem fair to drag Katayoun into it. In fact, it wasn’t fair. He tried to think of a way to word things that would keep her name out of it. It wasn’t possible. The company only had three Balatu mages: Katayoun, Ningal, and Kishar. If Xerxes lied, or tried to hide the truth, all Gandash had to do was have Tizqar cast another spell, and he could get to the bottom of the issue.

“I get it,” Gandash said, opening his eyes. “I’m not stupid. Go get Enusat and the constable.”

What did that mean? That Gandash had already put two and two together and knew that Katayoun was involved?

Xerxes tried to put together a theory about it, but his mind was too muddled. Minutes later, he was back with Daniyel and Enusat.

“Constable, I can confirm that Lieutenant Enusat is the one that killed the merchant,” Gandash said. “However, based on Hasasu spellcasting, I’ve determined that the lieutenant acted in self-defense.”

Daniyel glanced at Enusat. “Even if it was self-defense, Captain, I’m sure you know the law. The guilty party must still pay the fee.”

“I’m aware. Lieutenant Enusat, how much money do you have with you?”

“Six shekels.”

“You’ll forfeit three shekels to the constable. Constable Daniyel, consider those shekels a downpayment on the rest of the fee. Lieutenant Enusat will owe a balance of four thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven shekels, due at a time to be determined later.”

“Five thousand fucking shekels?” Enusat said. “Are you crazy? I’ve never had more than a few hundred saved up in my entire life!”

“You can appeal my decision later. Beyond that, I’m demoting you to the rank of private.”

“What?” Enusat shouted.

Gandash glared at him. “There’s no getting around this, Private. The law’s the law. It doesn’t matter who we are. What did you think would happen? That I’d cover up your actions? Drive the constable away? The truth is that I should have you arrested and sent to the capital for trial. But our mission is more important. So for now, you’ll be free under my eye. After the mission’s over, and we’re back on Sin-Amuhhu, the Parliament there will decide what happens to you. Now produce the downpayment and give it to Constable Daniyel.”

Enusat glared daggers at Gandash before digging into a saddle bag and pulling out three shekels which he tossed to Daniyel.

“Get back in line, Private,” Gandash said. Once alone with Daniyel and Xerxes, he continued, “There you have it, Constable. Are you satisfied?”

“To a degree,” Daniyel said. “Normally speaking I wouldn’t let a killer just ride off into the sunset based on a three-shekel downpayment. But I get the feeling there’s something unusual going on with you and your company.”

“A mage is too valuable of an asset for me to give one up, even if they are involved in a crime. Besides, we’ll be returning to the Gateway complex after certain tasks have been accomplished. If you uncover more pertinent evidence, you can share it with me at the time. And I’d be happy to bring you with me up to Sin-Amuhhu to be a part of the trial.”

“Just don’t forget me on your way back from Puabi. That is where you’re heading, isn’t it?”

“We’re actually traveling to the city of Eresh, north of Puabi, and I remember you saying you’re from the area. Do you recommend the northern route or the southern route?”

The constable thought for a moment. “At this time of year… go north. It’s much more of a straight shot, and you won’t have to deal with the horrible terrain in the badlands. Besides, the rains are coming, and they hit harder in the south.”

“Thank you, Constable.”

Daniyel hefted the three shekels. “It’s my pleasure, Captain. I’ll have some formal paperwork drawn up for when you return. Will you be staying in Eresh for a time, or coming back immediately?”

“We’ll be back immediately.”

“I see. Make good time, and you’ll reach Eresh before the rains come. Good luck, Captain.”

Once out of the mountains, it was easier to travel, with the road being wider and flatter. There were no clouds in the sky, and the sun beat down on them relentlessly.

Gandash pushed them hard. Not to the point of exhaustion, but close. Everyone looked forward to when it came time to set up camp.

In the evening of the first day of travel, the Swordmasters ate around a campfire near their tents.

“Every single person in the company is staring at us,” Enusat grumbled. “I swear to the Pontifarch I heard Dasi call me a murderer. The bitch. Course, it’s that damn fucker Gandy’s fault.”

“Calm down,” Kashtiliash said, taking a bite of hard cheese.

“I’ll calm down when Randy fucking Gandy’s paid in full. And this time it’s going to be painful. I don’t give a fuck if it’s against the rules. I’ll just leave afterward. Disappear. I’m from Jehannmed. I could vanish so good they’d never find me.”

“I’m with you,” Jad said. “We could go to the Cowry Coast. Join a pirate ship or something. Or maybe we could set ourselves up as assassins.”

Xerxes caught Kashtiliash’s gaze. They both rolled their eyes.

But Jad and Enusat were far from finished with their venting.

“Assassins,” Enusat said, looking thoughtful. “Not an ‘alf-bad idea. In fact, we could start earning a reputation before we left the company. If you know what I mean.” He flashed a malicious grin, and Jad chuckled in response.

This is going too far, Xerxes thought. “Say, at what point are we going to do some sparring? We don’t want to lose what Rabya taught us.”

“Good point,” Teucer said.

“It’s too dark now, but if we stop early enough tomorrow, we can probably squeeze in thirty minutes of practice.”

“Yeah, it wouldn’t hurt,” Jad said.

The following day, Kashtiliash joined Xerxes in trying to get Jad and Enusat to calm down. At lunch, their efforts only seemed to anger the other two. Then they did some sparring before dinner, and that helped vent some steam. As time passed, their work had a cumulative effect.

By the third day of travel, Jad was back to normal, and joined in the attempts to get Enusat into a similar mental state. On the fifth day of travel, Enusat finally stopped obsessing over his situation. He still grumbled and cursed Gandash—in private—but none of it was as vitriolic as before.

Xerxes had a hard time telling what Gandash thought of the incident, and his own role in it. It didn’t seem appropriate to force a conversation over the matter, and Gandash was always working on something. Xerxes didn’t get the sense his friend was angry at him. However, they didn’t have any time to talk.