The Palsian Year 315.
"You feeling all right?" Narcasse asked Darun. He sat down next to his lover, looking over his shoulder.
"Yeah." Darun studied the message and silently cursed it. "Three days before we mobilize for another attack." Irritated, he leaned back. "I hate this, Narcasse. I grew up knowing that one day I would go to war. I just never expected us to be at it for so long." He grunted, unhappily. "It's always one stupid battle after the other, and in the end we're right back where we started. The Turans haven't gained any territory, and we haven't convinced them to stop invading."
Narcasse looked thoughtful. "Well, I don't think the war can last much longer. It's practically stopped all trade to Turan by the Great Road, since the Great Road crosses through Palse. The people must be starving by now. They won't stand for it much longer."
Darun groaned. "It's been almost four years! Everyone's getting so tired of it by now. I think we should gather all of Palse's forces and invade Turan."
"And leave ourselves open to possible attacks from other countries?"
"Damn. I keep forgetting about that." Darun signed and crumpled up the message. He leaned against his friend.
"Poor baby," Narcasse said, grinning. He ran his hands through the other's hair. Darun made an appreciative noise, and then turned his head and kissed Narcasse.
"You keep me sane."
Narcasse smiled. "Likewise." He leaned in for another kiss.
Someone pulled aside the flap of their tent. "Baron Marshal Darun! A message, sir! I have exciting-- forgive me sir! I was unaware I was interrupting anything!"
"Never mind. Let me see it."
"This just came in, sir." The messenger handed Darun the note.
Darun took it. He and Narcasse read it together:
Shift in power in Turan. Old king overthrown. Iltorish on throne, negotiations in order. Don't attack yet, wait for word. -- General Vaphreze.
---
Obediently, they waited. Five days and five nights later, a new message arrived from General Vaphreze.
Negotiations successful. Come home.
And when they made the announcement, the camp erupted with cheers.
The war was over.
---
They returned back to Ekubatana. After settling in for a few days, they attended the King's official announcement of the end of the war.
Narcasse and Darun watched from the audience as King Andragoras gave his speech standing next to the new Turan ruler, King Iltorish.
"Friends and members of the court," King Andragoras announced. "The last few years have taken a toll on us all, but we are pleased to announce that our war with Turan is finally over!" He raised his arm and the crowd cheered. "King Iltorish of Turan has apologized for his country's behavior and has agreed that Turan and Palse will always be the best of neighbors." He raised his arm again and the crowd cheered.
"A celebration will run for three days and three nights! Let no one rest from these good tidings!"
---
"So with a simple apology, Turan is forgiven and the war is over," Narcasse said. He shook his head. "With the passage of time, everything changes but in the end nothing has changed."
Darun shrugged. "We were fighting to protect our way of life. To protect Palse from changing in ways we didn't want it to. We may have wasted four years running around in a giant circle, but at least we chose the circle we ran in." He grinned, and threw an arm around his friend. "Anyway, you heard the king. This calls for celebration. Let's go to the festivities, steal wine, come back, and get drunk."
"Sounds good to me."
They attended one of the first celebrations, wherein Darun and Narcasse mingled with friends made before and during the war. Narcasse returned to his group of intellects, whom he had not seen much during the course of the war. Darun watched him join them and then he went back to the friends he had formed before as well.
Kubard was bragging about another escapade that he had during the war and everyone in their circle laughed. There was a visible scar running down the right side of his face, where he had lost his eye, and he enjoyed using it as an excuse to tell stories of his bravery. Kharlan meanwhile, now mingled more often with the King's company, and was at the moment, speaking to King Andragoras.
Darun went to where the wine was being served, and helped himself. He decided that all he really wanted, right then and there, was to relax and have fun. He was about to join Kubard's circle again, when someone caught his attention.
It was the red-haired minstrel from before.
Curious, Darun approached him. The minstrel was sitting at the edge of one of the fountains and watching the nobility as he drank.
Darun sat down next to him. "Hi," he greeted.
The minstrel flashed him a charming smile. "Hello."
Where had he seen him before? Darun tried to remember, then gave up. He saw that the minstrel's gaze was now elsewhere, and he followed the other's line of sight. He was a bit surprised to see that the minstrel was watching Narcasse, who was still chatting with his intellectual friends.
Darun watched Narcasse for a moment as well. Anyone who went to war with them would have noticed that they were together. They had not bothered to hide this fact. At first their relationship had started at an almost painfully slow pace. Darun had been completely unsure of what he was doing, and Narcasse had been afraid that Darun would change his mind. Eventually, however, they had become closer and things had picked up. He wondered if Narcasse was telling his friends that he had found himself a new, stable love.
"Do you know him?" The minstrel asked Darun.
Darun looked back, surprised. "Yes. He's Lord Narcasse, the Royal Historian."
"Ah. That's good then. Can you take a message to him for me?"
Darun hesitated. "Sure."
"Tell him that his old friend, the mother, misses him." The minstrel finished downing his wine.
Darun nodded. "Do I know you? I feel like I've seen you somewhere before."
The redhead gave him a lingering, appraising look. Darun realized belatedly that he must have sounded like he was hitting on him. He leaned slightly back.
"Really? You don't look familiar to me. I'd remember a face like yours." He studied Darun, who began to feel a little uncomfortable. "Maybe you saw me perform here, before?"
"That must be it." Darun finished his drink as well and then left. He returned to the table with the refreshments and caught Narcasse's gaze before taking several bottles of wine and going back to his room.
---
Narcasse joined him later.
"Drinking contest?" Darun offered. He held up a bottle.
Narcasse smiled. "Yes."
Darun poured each of them a cup. "So I started talking to one of the minstrels. Redhead. I think I saw you talk to him before. He looked familiar. Do you know him?"
"A little, not very well." Narcasse shrugged.
"Well anyway, he said he had a message for you. He said that your old friend, the mother, missed you."
Narcasse looked thoughtful.
"Does that mean anything to you?"
"Probably referring to Ashanti. I haven't seen her in a while. I think I'll pay her a visit tomorrow." Narcasse finished his glass at the same time Darun did. Narcasse poured them both their second drinks. "Want to come?"
Darun considered it. "Nah. It probably took her a while to adjust to you, and I'm sure you two have lots to catch up on. I'll be in the way. Thanks for the invite, though."
Narcasse nodded.
They started on their third round. Soon they were on their fourth. By the fifth, Darun was confessing his love and Narcasse was having a fit of giggles. By the sixth, their clothes started coming off and by the seventh they alternated between being both loud and quiet.
---
The next day, they were invited by Kubard to ride out and see the celebrations in town. They stayed there the entire day, and watched as the fireworks lit the skies at night. Narcasse and Darun went back to Narcasse's room afterwards, where they had a small celebration of their own.
On the third and final day of festivities, they were invited to a grand feast held by the king, and so they could not refuse. The event took several hours, as King Andragoras relaxed, ate, and chatted with other officials and his guest of honor, King Iltorish. Darun and Narcasse became full and soon had nothing better to do than sit, listen, and participate in small chat. They sat by the far end of the table, at the opposite side that King Andragoras.
A servant came by and whispered something in King Andragoras' ear. The king nodded and he turned to the Turan king. "As you have requested, the prisoner is ready for his execution. It'll be fine entertainment for tonight."
The Turan King laughed. "That is most excellent news." He lifted his glass of wine and the two kings toasted each other. "To peaceful neighbors."
"And great prosperity."
"Who is being executed?" Narcasse asked Darun. Darun shook his head, indicating that he did not know. His uncle spoke instead.
"The former Turan prince."
Narcasse went still. "But his family has already been overthrown. Why does he need to be executed?"
Darun resisted the urge to cover up for his friend.
Vaphreze shrugged. "You know why, Lord Narcasse. Can't have the possibility that he might return to power. It was one of the conditions that King Iltorish asked while negotiating peace, and of course, King Andragoras agreed. He won't be much more useful as a prisoner anymore, since his father was killed."
Narcasse was quiet. "I see."
---
After the dinner, all the nobles were invited to watch the execution. Darun was about to refuse, however, Narcasse expressed his desire to see it, and so they joined the others there.
The former prince was emaciated after having been chained in prison for nearly four years. He was bare-chested and in torn pants. By the way he moved, Narcasse could see that his pride had been broken, for his head was bent down as he walked slowly to his doom. One of the guards, on Iltorish's command, tripped him.
The current Turan king laughed. He stood up and walked to the prince, who was on his knees. Iltorish kicked him in the side and then pressed his boot against the prince's face. He laughed loudly. "I had once been at your feet, Your Highness, and now you are at mine," he taunted. "You'll be pleased to know that where you're going, your father is waiting for you." At the last words, the former prince lashed out at Iltorish, who simply kicked him again.
King Andragoras applauded. King Iltorish took his seat.
Narcasse forced himself to watch as the executioner brought the axe down on the prince's neck. When the head came off, Narcasse kept his gaze on the prince's face and ignored the cheers of those around him.
---
Darun could tell that Narcasse was in a foul mood when they left. He sighed and moved his arm over the other's shoulder. "If we had met him on battlefield, we would have slain him anyway," he said, guessing at what the other was thinking.
"We did meet him on battlefield," Narcasse pointed out. His voice was tense with anger, and Darun was glad that the anger was not directed at him. "And if he had died on the battlefield, his death would have been far more noble than the last few moments of his life. He was treated like an animal, even though a wrong slip of fate could have easily put them in his shoe's." Narcasse shook his head, furious.
His arm still around his lover, Darun started to head back to his room. Narcasse pulled away, saying that he wanted to be alone for while.
Darun reluctantly let him.
---
The next morning, Darun found a note left for him by Narcasse. The neatly printed words told him that his friend had left to visit Ashanti, and would be back shortly. Darun knew that meant he had no idea when his friend would return, and he resolved not to see him again until later.
--
"Great sir! It has been far too long since you have last graced us with your presence! What can our humble place do for you today?"
Narcasse gave the brothel owner a brief nod of acknowledgment. He was surprised to see that the brothel was quite full, with many customers waiting for their turn.
"Business is thriving, I see."
"Oh yes sir! The soldiers came and celebrated throughout the last three days, sir." He smiled at Narcasse and Narcasse wanted to take a bath. "Well sir, since you are almost a regular here, we'll let you slip in before the others. Malena all right with you?"
Narcasse blinked. "I want Ashanti."
The owner's smile faltered for a fraction. "I'm sorry, sir, Ashanti's busy."
"With another customer?"
The owner shook his head, scowling. "She hasn't been with a customer since yesterday. Said she wasn't feeling well. Useless bitch."
Narcasse ignore the last comment. "Then can I see her?" He pulled out his bag of coins and then the owner immediately agreed.
---
"Go away. My mom's not taking any customers today," said the young, dark-skinned boy in front of Ashanti's room.
"Hello Eram," Narcasse said, greeting him. He mentally calculated Eram's age and was surprised to see that Eram was around the age of seven at this point. "Can I see your mother? I'm an old friend."
Eram blinked, surprised. Narcasse doubted that many of his mother's customers had ever called him by his name. After a moment's hesitation, the boy nodded his head. He opened the door and Narcasse stepped inside.
Ashanti sat up when she heard the door open. "Eram?" she asked. Her voice sounded tired.
"Mom, he said he's a friend of yours."
Ashanti slowly turned her head to look at Narcasse. A smile broke over her face. She spoke to Eram. "Eram, why don't you go play outside. Mommy and her friend need to talk. Be careful now."
Eram nodded, and then left the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.
"Hello Ashanti," Narcasse greeted.
"Narcasse," she breathed out slowly. "Come here closer where I can see you."
He stepped over to her side and sat down next to her. Her skin was pale, her forehead sweaty, her hand frizzled, and her face was covered with several noticeable bruises. She was thin, much thinner than he remembered. She coughed.
"It's been a long time. I kept praying I'd see you soon. It's been what-- three? Four years? I missed you."
"I'm sorry," Narcasse apologized. "Lord Cheiron-- my master died. Then the war started and I got swept up in it."
She nodded in understanding. "'S okay. I just missed you, that's all. I kept hoping you'd come."
"I just returned and Guibu sent a message to me saying that," Narcasse said. He gave her a small hug. "I missed you too." Her body was thin and bony.
"Guibu's a good one." She leaned against him a moment, then turned away her face to cough. He saw that her neck was covered with bruises as well.
She looked back at him. "You're probably wondering about the bruises." At his nod, she continued. "I've been serving soldiers from the war. Owner says its his country's duty, and his way of celebrating. All the girls have been working overtime. We had no rest from these celebrations. Some of the soldiers are rough."
He felt the anger, but kept it inside of him.
"But I'm so glad to see you." Ashanti kissed him on the cheek, then leaned back against the wall. "How have you been?"
"Not bad. I finally started a romantic relationship with my best friend." He grinned at her. "You and Master Guibu's teachings were quite helpful. We engaged in a few arguments before he told me how much I meant to him. I started courting him after that. It took all of my patience. Things were so slow at first. But then he warmed up and now we're rarely apart."
She smiled, though her eyes looked troubled. "That's fantastic."
He nodded. "You?"
She closed her eyes. "I got the chills, Narcasse. I get headaches, fevers. My sight is starting to go. I'm so tired, so very tired and I can no longer eat without throwing up."
He took her hand and saw that they were covered with small, brown rashes.
"I'm dying, Narcasse. 'Tis the end of a hard life, and I don't regret much. But the thing I'm worried about more than anything else is Eram. When I'm gone, he'll be all alone. The owner will probably sell him to the other brothel across the street. The other day he was telling me that he was thinking maybe it was time for Eram to go. Some people like them young."
Her voice trembled and tears began to form from the corner of her eyes. "He'll end up just like me!" And she began to sob. Narcasse held her, rocking her slowly, and she cried against his shoulder for a few minutes before composing herself and pulling away.
Slowly, she pulled herself out of the bed.
"What are you doing?" He asked her, surprised.
Ashanti prostrated herself before him. "Please, Narcasse. Please. I beg you. Please take care of my son. I know it's a lot to ask. I know your lover might not approve. I know I don't have any right to ask. But you're the only hope I have for getting him out."
In response, Narcasse wrapped his arms around, lifted her up, and put her back on the bed. She clung to him, crying. "Please, Narcasse! Please!"
He hugged her, stroking her hair. "Yes. I'll buy him from the owner. I would've done so earlier, but I didn't have the money then. But I do now, so I'll take care of him. I promise you. I'll raise him myself and when he's old enough, I'll set him free."
She stared at him with wide eyes. "Would you do that for me?"
"Yes," he said.
"Promise me now. That you'll take care of my boy." She gave him a serious look.
He returned it. "I promise you, I'll take care of Eram."
Ashanti's shoulders sagged down with relief. "Thank you, thank you, thank you." She began to cry again, tears of joy.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you."
------------------------------------------------------
note: in my mind, Ashanti's got an ancient form of syphilis that she contracted a year or so after eram's birth.
for comments to Karma, send e-mails to: [email protected]
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