Revolutions

46 - Paxilche

Despite the shroud of night, Pomaqli deliberately marches into the palace without any concern for repercussions, announcing our arrival with his loud clomping. I hurriedly keep up while Walumaq trails behind meekly, practically tiptoeing as though she's trying not to offend anyone with her presence. The clattering of Pomaqli's boots echo throughout the halls, yet nobody pays us any mind, and after abrasively asking two unsuspecting guards for Amalu's quarters, we charge over to a far corner of the palace where he's presumed to be. Although I'm certainly motivated to return the favor of making Amalu uncomfortable, Pomaqli appears confrontational, prepared to challenge Amalu's alleged authority.

The information gathered from speaking to two officers who were put in charge of receiving and protecting Limaqumtlia has unearthed a possible conspiracy that places Amalu as a culprit. While it was said that Amalu stated he received the order from Qumuna, of which I've made a note, I'm not convinced the respected and honored general is culpable. I'm not ruling anything out, considering he earned a prominent title curiously quickly, but it seems unlikely, namely with his devout loyalty to Qiapu, which I'm not ready to declare is a façade. Someone somewhere once told me that the simplest explanation is usually the correct one, so I'm trying my best to stick to that way of thinking.

This section of the palace is well protected, with guards in white-and-red tunics standing sentry every ten or so paces and increasing in frequency the closer we get to his quarters. Eventually, we reach Amalu's chambers and are immediately turned away at the door, informing us that he is asleep. Unfortunately for them, Pomaqli is having none of it.

"We demand to speak to the Tempered's advisor!" Pomaqli repeatedly shouts in response to the guards. If I didn't know better, I'd say he's trying to wake up Amalu at whatever the cost, attempting to get his attention at minimum.

His persistence is rewarded when, from somewhere deep within the chamber, we hear a sigh and a faint, exasperated, "sun and sky, let them in." Without hesitation, Pomaqli plows through the two men standing at attention by the door, shrugging them off as he storms into the room. Walumaq and I exchange a glance, our eyes wide in relief and disbelief, and follow behind.

Amalu has put on a scarlet robe and walks about the room, lighting torches along the perimeter that gradually reveal the items contained within. He possesses many chests filled with unknown-to-us mysteries and what can best be described as a wardrobe filled with a colorful variety of robes and tunics. His bed is excessive, taking up much of the space and large enough to fit entire families, with long linen blankets resting on top. Between the torches are painted tapestries mounted on the wall, depicting an array of colorful patterns and shapes, and nearby are several tables with various jewelry draped about, sparkling in the torchlight.

"Most people would be asleep at this time of night," Amalu says, condescension dripping from each word. "There better be a just reason for disturbing my slumber."

"We recently met with palace guards," Walumaq starts, "who shared details with us regarding the day Paxilche's brother was murdered."

"Such a sad, unfortunate turn of events," Amalu says, followed by a tsk tsk tsk and a shake of his head.

"I'm sure you feel mournful about the situation," I say, not believing his feigned sadness and disappointment. The man went from relative obscurity to being adjacent to the Tempered during all matter of affairs; I'm sure he feels not a drop of sympathy nor remorse. Despite this, he still pretends to be offended by my accusation, and I expect nothing less from him.

"Prior to becoming the Tempered's advisor, what was your role within the palace?" I ask.

Amalu looks at me with suspicion and replies, "I was an assistant to the emissary, as I have been for dozens of harvests. I've spent innumerable harvests in Qapauma, and I'm relieved and fortunate to be back in–"