AD - Tuesday, March 26, 2002, 6:27 PM ------------------------------------- Along the Broadway, Before the Great North Gates -- Tenigul The great bastion of the Grand Mason's Wall known as the Great North Gates rises up out of the earth, monolithic in stature. The Grand Mason's Wall of Tenigul stretches in a huge arch around the northern half of the city from seashore in the east to cliff-face in the southwest, and beyond. Here the wall is breached by a mammoth barbican. The stonework is ages old, the portcullis forged by hellfire during Raughir's height of power. Reaching thirty feet above the already thirty foot Grand Mason's Wall, the Great North Gate can be espied from anyplace in the city. Two stone towers flank the gatehouse that sits above the defenses, dozens of arrowslits look both out and into the city. Machines of war rest as shadows against the sky on the tower tops, maned by dozens of armed warriors. Once this gate held at bay the forces of good, and the enemies of Raughir. Today the banners of Saloh II snap in the wind and it is those very same forces of good and right that these gates protect. During the day, this area before the gates, is filled with activity as merchants and travelers pass in and out of the Great North Gates. Heavily armed guards keep watch on the raised gates, checking traveling papers and merchant shipments (though most such wagons enter thru The Merchant's Gate). The Broadway spills out to the south from the gates. The cobbled road is constantly under repair from the unending traffic that comes this way. Contents: Perizan Obvious exits: Broadway and Great North Gates Morning passes over an early spring day. The weather is quite temperate at the moment, as the sun's heat is far from its strength and the air is moist from rains that died only hours ago. Life in Tenigul rolls on, whether hot or 'temperate', although 'cold' could send the populace into a panic, and the chances of that are as likely as the fall of the dark lord... some sixty seven years ago. Akar, now prosperous and the bastion of enlightenment of the south, begins to bustle with activity. The merchants and travelers entering through each gate, always guarded heavily. From the inside, a lone figure moves up the street. Wearing a blue 'jerkin', long red sash, and light sand-colored gauntlets. Two golden bands lacing around them, the mark of rank in Saloh's great Navy, that rank of Captain. Standing near to the gates, overseeing the goings-on with the guards and inspections and whatnot, is Perizan Karatri. The traffic at the gates is not as heavy as it is later on during the day, and most traffic now is outgoing. Inspections on outgoing traffic are less harsh than on incoming traffic, so the Guard Commander has little to trouble him. He strolls about almost casually, but there can be no doubt that he is constantly aware of his surroundings. As Kostu Tszyu makes his way along the crowded street, Perizan's eyes quickly make contact with Kostu's before returning to his work - the ship captain is still a ways away. Noise, an always present item here, as people move to and fro. Never are they silent, their footsteps and words keep this so. Through the maze of a crowded street and over a haze of blurred sounds, the captain calls forth. "Commander." Defeated is the word, perhaps, as the large wagon rolls into the street. The wheels squeeking as they turn, the horses neighing as they are ushered forward. Around this newfound obstacle does Kostu step, finally placing him several feet away from the gate and the guards around it. Whether Perizan heard Kostu or not, he walks toward him and greets him. "Good day Captain. What is it that brings you to the North Gate?" His tone is friendly, and he salutes the Captain as an equal officer. The salute is not returned, Tszyu remains motionless for a moment afterward, staring blanking into the Commander's eyes. Drawing two closed fists together, Kostu bows to Perizan. "Commander," he says again, eyes regaining their hold of Perizan as he rises. "I had heard the Prince, Adssar, perhaps returned early this morn from the ... frontier. I came to find if this were true." "I have not seen the Prince, Captain," Perizan replies without emotion, dropping his salute as he speaks. There is no hint that he is either surprised or insulted at the lack of salute - he has known Tszyu for a long time. "Why do you ask?" "The Queen had asked," his eyes slowly move toward the gate, looking at what cannot be told. His kind, what he calls a Hynsadian Monk has not been seen in Akar for almost a half-century, and from most reckoning he is the only known in Tenigul. "He could be ... tending to less academic issues." Slowly shrugging, he continues, "Or he is still scouting the barren wastes of our western borders." "What shall I inform His Highness when I see him, Kostu?" Perizan inquires. "I have no news from scouts, but they are due to return on the morrow, and will likely have information on the whereabouts of Adssar. Perhaps he will return with them." The Monk steps forward, shaking his head, "Speak the truth. I would suggest that only the facts be told, however. There is no need to stir the King's emotions." His arms fold across his chest, "I do not believe Linsaki to be active around the borders at the present." "Of that, I have direct news," Perizan replies. "She has been completely inactive for several months; many believe she wishes to sue for peace. Others believe she waits for us to weaken." Kostu nods, "Peace," he repeats. His eyes narrow, gazing into the gate with a blank stare. "Be sure of this, Commander. The Wasp Queen does not understand the term ... 'Peace'." Kostu looks back to Perizan, flashing a weak smile. "We must be ever weary. I /sense/ something growing. Here ... in Tenigul." The Commander looks over to the Captain and does not reply immediately. His face is pensive, and quite unreadable. "You sense something." He repeats Kostu. "Of what nature?" "I do not know," answers Kostu. "Perhaps a hundred years ago I could have told you." He shrugs, "I can only say I feel weary of these times. I feel weary of Tenigul. I can only fear something here is working against our King." Lifting a hand, he wards off Perizan's next statement. "I do not mean simple spies, bandits, and general no-gooders, either. Something different..." "Something of the same nature as the Wasp Queen?" Perizan asks matter-of-factly. "For surely you are aware that there are many who would see the King dethroned. If you sense something, it must be of an even more sinister nature." "Its nature?" Kostu asks, "I cannot say." His tone equal and without the inflection of emotion. "I do not need the Hynsad's sixth sense to see much of it... my Commander." He feigns a smile, "There have been open forms of defiance to the King's laws. Unregistered slave ships, murder, and other questionable acts I have heard and seen." "I am aware of the defiance toward the King; I have been aware for some time now," Perizan replies. "But the magnitude of threat to his rulership is not great. If you sense something, perhaps it is something that I do not know." "Perhaps," Kostu says, "Anhadet. What do you know of Anhadet?" He waits for a few moments, allowing the question to be considered. "The old codger bribed me, and then attempted to blackmail me about a month ago..." His arms uncross, his head shaking, "The slave ship I overtook from Hirratak has his stink all over it ... that I can assure you." "Anhadet runs the Yard, or so they say," Perizan says cautiously. "I know little else." The Guard Commander summons an officer to him, who rushes to salute. "Lieutenant, you will now relieve me of duty. Oversee the goings-on here. Summon my carriage." Perizan now returns his attention to Kostu. "You have had a difficult morning. We should speak over a drink of your choosing in my quarters." The lieutenant salutes again, and Perizan returns it. The lieutenant rushes off, giving orders to sergeants to have Perizan's orders obeyed. "If you wish it," Kostu says, bowing. He casts the other officer a short glance, turning slightly. "Anhadet owns more than the Yard," notes Kostu. "His association with the Merchant Consortium is well known... I do not think his desires are much farther from those of the Consortium..." The coach arrives quickly, and low-ranking Guards open the doors. "After you," Perizan allows Kostu to enter the coach first. Kostu nods, stepping into the coach quickly and softly. His image soon disappears as he enters into the Commander's transportation. Perizan enters after, and the doors are shut behind. Directions are given, and the coach starts to rumble off. "You and I are men of honesty and directness, Kostu," Perizan says after a moment. "But we must be mindful of the ears around us. Subjects of such sensitivity should never be spoken of in public hearing. Tell me more of Anhadet." "You are correct, of course," agrees Kostu, his hands folded in his lap. "He is a strange man," he starts. "He commands respect of many, most of the dregs. I suspect his wealth goes far beyond the Merchant Consortium or his Yard." His head turns, glancing out a window, watching the people pass by as the cart moves. "When I sought to question him about the slave ship he immediately began his bribes. Then, after I rejected them, they turned to blackmail and threats." His head slowly turns back to Perizan, "He is not to be trusted. Though I think his motivations are solely of greed." Perizan is silent for a long moment, and then he speaks. "I shall bring this matter before my father, and he shall bring it before the Council of Ten, if he deems it wise. I recommend that the King not know of this; he is like you - too direct at times. We must clean the city quietly. It would not do well to advertise to the world our weaknesses." "Indeed. King Saloh would send the heavy hand of justice upon the Yard in an instant if he knew of his treachery..." He sighs, suddenly looking much older than he is. "The King is a zealot for justice. And our Anhadet is far from just." "If Linsaki were to find we must fight those inside Tenigul... she would jump at any opportunity to take an advantage." "If she has not done so already," Perizan agrees. "Should you discover any threats to the King, tell me immediately. I do not doubt we shall in time discover seeds of hers within the city growing. We must uproot them as soon as we find them, and quietly. She must not know they have been discovered." The Hynsadian Monks stares at Perizan for a moment, his head slowly nodding soon after. "Very well." Shortly afterward, he looks outside again, seeing where they are. "Commander. Please forgive, but I believe I mustnt partake in a drink today." He sighs, "In a week I shall be back at sea. I must prepare the Royal Patriarch." "As you wish," Perizan says with a nod. "Thank you for the information you have given me; our Kingdom is still young, and vulnerable. We must strive for unity under the rule of our just King, always." "Driver," calls Kostu, standing slightly. "I shall be gone, perhaps for months. I know that you shall see to this personally." He turns, opening to door, "Oh... and if you see Adssar. He should seek his mother..." He frowns slightly, stepping out the door and into the road.