Calradian Chronicles: Coming Darkness

Chapter 16: Speak

Sanala: Capital of Aserai

Sora waited outside of the council room in the Aserai palace. She waited for Sultan Merab to finish so she may speak of the alliance. From inside she could hear Merab arguing with Jinda and only hopes it was not too late for the alliance. Jinda came storming out of the room, only stopping to take a glance at Sora.

Jinda:
The sultan wishes to speak to you!

Jinda gave her rather rude remark and stormed angrily out of the room. Sora entered the room to find Merab sitting alone at the head of a table. He held his came firmly in his hand and stroked his beard tentatively.

Merab:
Have a seat.

Sora did so and sat down across from the Sultan. Merab leaned forward and gently moved his hands along his cane.

Merab:
So you believe an alliance will help us? So tell me, why should the Aserai fight alongside the Empire?

Sora took a deep breath and slowly exhaled out of her mouth. She placed her hands on the table and readied herself to speak.

Sora:
Because there is a coming threat. None of us can stop Balcodor alone, but the armies of the Empire and Aserai united can bring an end to this. I do not ask that you go against your people, but I simply hope that you consider it.

The sultan slowly and steadily began to raise himself up to his feet. He walked up to where he stood beside Sora and placed a hand on her shoulder.

Merab:
I understand your reasoning and it is very clear why this is needed. However, I begin sending men into the Empire, we will remain undefended and vulnerable. I do not deny your request but I must speak with......

The old sultan was cut off as he began coughing in a constant manor. He then let go of his cane and collapsed to his side on the ground.

Sora:
Someone help! It's your sultan!

Aserai physicians then came hurdling into the room. In a quick act they all placed their hands under the sultan's body and lifted him into the air. They ran out of the room and carried him to be treated.

Later that night Merab now laid in his bed. A physician began examining him and attempting to find what could have been wrong. Both his children stood at foot of the bed and gave their father a worried expression.

Jawwal:
Have you found the problem?

Physician:
It appears your sultan suffers from a minor strain from all his aging. I suppose he will get a bit better with time and rest.

Jawwal:
Will he die?

Physician:
I do not know that, all I know is that we must give it time and see.

The physician then bows and leaves the from. While Jinda also left Jawwal walked to his father and put a hand on his shoulder. He gave his aging father a concerned look as he gave small breathes as if gasping for air.

Outside of the palace Sora had gone for a walk. She had decided to give a short time out to clear her head from everything happening. All she could think about, however, was what happened and how the alliance might fail and Galdores died for nothing.

Sora:
What do I do? I need this alliance or.......

Sora was pulled from her thoughts when she looked inside the tavern and saw a man at the counter with bandages around his midsection. She then looked in his slightly-open satchel and saw the a mask, the same mask that had been worn by the assassins who killed Galdores. The man put down his ale and walked out of the tavern, as this happened Sora pulled out her dagger and drew it to the man's back.

Sora:
Don't move if you know what's good for you.

The assassin turned his head and saw Sora. He seemed to recognize her from their previous encounter, his face remaining blank.

Assassin:
So you found me, girl. Now what do you want?

Sora:
I want to know who sent you to kill us.

The assassin did not respond, instead he slowly put his hand inside his bag. He then withdrew his golden dagger before turning around and colliding it with her's. The assassin attempted to attack but Sora dodged and pulled out her sword. The two began a sword duel just their in the streets. The assassin thrusted the dagger into Sora's chest but she countered this by using the handle of her dagger to slam into the wound on the man's side. The assassin let out a pained scream and Sora knocked the dagger from his hand and held her own to his throat while pinning him to a wall.

Sora:
I'll ask one last time. Who sent you?

Assassin:
For your information, you and the old man weren't supposed to be there. It's the prince we needed to kill.

Sora:
Sent by who.

The assassin tried to struggle but realized there was no point left.

Assassin:
It was the princess. She promised us a lot of gold if we could clear her path to the throne.

Sora gasped and realized the mistake going on in the palace. He put away her sword and grabbed the man by his collar and dragged him along with her. She had now one chance to reveal the truth.

To be continued