The Blinding

Chapter 19 - Loyaan

With my thoughts solely focused on finding Tissa, I pondered my starting point. Batuulo would have been the most logical choice, but given her recent behavior, cooperation seemed unlikely. My thoughts turned to Tissa's other acquaintances, who were more likely to be found among the staff. I hastened my steps, heading towards the kitchen. Locating it took several attempts, as my visits had been infrequent. Eventually, I arrived at the open door, where the kitchen staff bustled about their duties, oblivious to my presence.
Tissa's interactions had primarily been with Batuulo. Still, I decided to commence my search by seeking out the person in charge, even though their identity remained a mystery to me. Surveying the bustling kitchen, I observed the servants diligently cleaning, cooking, and washing dishes. Among them, a plump, older woman of shorter stature caught my eye. She stood with her baati cinched around her waist, directing the kitchen staff as she scrubbed dishes.
I approached the woman cautiously, mindful not to startle her. As I drew nearer, she raised her gaze to meet mine. Without hesitation, her eyes narrowed, and she inquired, "Can I help you?"
My response was hesitant. "Erm... Might I request a private conversation?"
She promptly signaled to a young woman nearby, pointing to a stack of dishes. "Attend to these, would you?" The young woman nodded in acknowledgment. Together, the older woman and I exited the bustling kitchen, drawing curious gazes from the other servants as we traversed the hallway. In a corner, we found a more secluded space.
"Please pardon my intrusion," I began, my nervousness becoming apparent. "My name is—"
"I know who you are, Loyaan," she interjected.
Naturally, it was her responsibility to be informed. I gathered my thoughts. "Very well... I wished to inquire about my friend, Tissa. Do you happen to know her whereabouts?"
Her response was straightforward. "No," she replied, her gaze unwavering.
To her credit, she was a skilled liar, but I sensed her withholding something. Tissa must have confided in someone on the night I had crossed paths with her. The woman's absentminded gesture of rubbing her arm hinted at hidden knowledge.
Employing my most authoritative Warrior demeanor, I maintained an unrelenting stare. "Are you absolutely certain?"
It became evident that she would not yield easily. For now, there was little more to be achieved. I offered a curt nod. "Very well, I shall not trouble you further." With that, I began to take my leave.
She finally divulged a fragment of information. "I do know that she left with a purpose. If she did not disclose her destination to you, she likely wished to remain undiscovered."
I met her gaze once more, confirming that she was privy to some details about Tissa's departure. "And did she confide in you with any specifics?"
Her head shook, and her eyes dropped to the floor. It seemed I was not the sole individual concerned about Tissa's absence.
"May I inquire about your name, ma'am?" I asked.
She disclosed it with deliberate slowness. "Iftiin."
"Iftiin," I repeated, a hint of caution in my tone. "This will not be our final interaction. I anticipate receiving answers."
Her response was unwavering. "I expect no less." With a respectful bow, she returned to her duties in the kitchen, leaving me alone in the corridor.

-

Later that day, Aabo summoned me into his quarters. With no fresh leads on Tissa's whereabouts, my search for her would have to be temporarily shelved. I entered his room with a sense of languor and asked, "You sent for me?"

"Have a seat," Aabo directed, pushing a chair toward me with his boot.

I obliged, my curiosity piqued. Magan's funeral had clearly affected him, but he had reverted to his usual stoic self. He got up and began to pace around the room, circling the desk. "In light of recent events," he began, "I want to ensure that you understand the gravity of the situation."
Playing dumb, I responded, "The situation? Care to elaborate, father?"

He shot me a disapproving look. "You know precisely what I mean, Loyaan. Your company nearly suffered a defeat at the hands of a few mages. Don't pretend you're oblivious."
"Speak plainly, father. I'm too weary to decipher riddles."

An exasperated sigh escaped him as he sank back into his chair. He leaned in and whispered, frustration evident in his voice. "To answer your question from weeks ago, yes. The Shifters have been systematically eliminating newborn mages for years. They utilize the Seers to identify when a high-level Magician is born, and they strike immediately after childbirth. Is that clear enough?"

"So, my suspicions were correct?"

The question was rhetorical, and Aabo offered no response. "Loyaan, this is not the time for your childish games. In a few minutes, the Prime Minister will join us. You will be fully inducted into the task force. Do you understand? There is a war looming with the Mages, and you must decide now, as a Warrior, whether you will be a part of it."

I hadn't expected this. The Prime Minister's words at the funeral had been pointed but subtle. A war? Was the eradication of Mages not enough? Tissa was the only person on my mind. Her people had already suffered greatly, but if the Mages were to regain power, would we all not suffer? Regardless of my thoughts, I needed more information about this war and the Prime Minister's plans. I nodded, and my father seemed satisfied.
"Good. When Prime Minister Shire arrives, you will bow and remain silent. Do not speak unless spoken to. Is that clear?"
I nodded once more. None of this was new; I had been in the presence of the Prime Minister before and knew how to conduct myself.
As we waited, Aabo reviewed some paperwork while I pondered the new revelations. At least my father had not inquired about the source of my information. I hoped it meant he wouldn't pursue Tissa. Even though she remained elusive, that knowledge gave me some comfort. It seemed that now, having revealed the truth, her whereabouts no longer mattered to him.
Without a knock, the door swung open, and one of the Prime Minister's personal servants entered. "Prime Minister Shire," he announced, stepping aside to admit the Prime Minister. Following him was his right-hand man, Deputy Samatar.
"Dismissed," Samatar barked at the servant, who hurriedly exited the room.
"Gentlemen," Prime Minister Shire greeted us. My father and I both bowed, and Aabo pulled out chairs for the two men. I chose to stand.
"Have you been briefed?" Samatar inquired, addressing me directly.
"Yes, sir," I replied.
The Prime Minister began speaking for the first time. "The task force has been operational for nearly a century. However, we have received information that one of the Mages has eluded us. The Seers assure me that they have tracked every high-level Magician born in the past century, and all have been eliminated."
"Sir, if that is true, how can one of them still be alive?" Aabo asked softly, his tone devoid of its usual authority when addressing the Prime Minister.
"That, we do not know. However, an all-powerful Seer has emerged with a prophecy," Shire said, turning his attention to Deputy Samatar.
"Yes," Samatar began after clearing his throat. "The prophecy states, 'With the first bloom of the great tree, the cobra will be found, the great war will begin, and the spear, broken.'"
"To put it plainly, there will be a high-level Magician who will thrust us into a civil war. Unfortunately, we know nothing of this great tree. Our spies are diligently working to locate it. We've been told that the prophecy will come to fruition in the very near future," the Prime Minister explained.
Then he looked at me. "Loyaan, your father has been a part of this task force for quite some time. Now we hope that, with the assistance of the Warriors, we can locate this Magician and stop any war before it even begins. Our aim is to prevent as many casualties as possible. A civil war in Macrobia would result in civilian deaths, shattering any peace that the giants intended for us. We will suffer, and with our defenses weakened, our neighbors will undoubtedly attack, striving to gain the territory they've sought for years."
One Magician, saving the lives of many. It meant that there would be no war, and I wouldn't have to compromise my principles to protect our people. While I might not agree with the task force, this was a compromise I could make.
"I understand that your father is on board, but we'll need your assistance in preparing your tribesmen. If what our Seers foretell is accurate, this Magician will reveal himself soon. When that occurs, we require you and your company to take action. With a bit of luck, we can prevent further loss of our own lives."
His words made sense, and the plan was well-structured. Despite my reservations, I was ready to join.
Prime Minister Shire stepped closer, coming face to face with me. "Will you help us?"
"Yes, sir," I found myself saying, offering a salute. I hoped his words held true. Yet, in the depths of my mind, I couldn't help but wonder if I had just made a pact with the devil himself.