Rise and Fall (19 page)

Tobin realized early on that he dominated those discussions. Nachun never seemed to care, always listening and asking more questions about the history of Tobin’s clan. Tobin didn’t mind Nachun’s reluctance to open up further. Given the recent upheaval in his life, it only seemed natural for the shaman to avoid his past. Tobin also didn’t want to push him away.

Having come to enjoy Nachun’s company, the thought of reporting their discussions back to Bazraki almost felt like betrayal.

But one day Father will ask me what I’ve learned.
He shook his head, determined not to allow such thoughts to ruin his day.

The men rounded another corner and found themselves at the entrance to Juanoq’s bustling market district. Tall buildings encircled the large open area located to the west of the city’s center. Merchants sold an assortment of goods, both common and exotic. The smell of various delicacies overpowered the senses as the two men moved about the organized chaos.

The occasional moneylender stood between the rows of merchant stands, always wearing a warm smile.
And daggers up their sleeves.

“Juanoq is so new. Much newer than Nubinya or any of the other cities in Hesh I’ve visited. It’s as if you cut the brick and stone yesterday and laid them overnight,” said Nachun, wonder in his voice.

“In some cases that may very well be true.” Tobin pointed to the construction of several tall buildings, the most complex of which he singled out. “That one began just before I ventured off along the Burnt Sands coast. Now, look at it. After a couple of months, it is higher than those that surround it.” He sighed. “I remember a time when this city lacked even a wall for protection. Once my father came into power, it was the first thing he demanded, a wall stronger than any other in all of Hesh.”

“Did your father visit the homes of other clans? There are pieces here that are reminiscent of those other cities.” He gestured toward a pattern of blue azurite stones adorning a gray brick wall.

“No, he did not visit those places himself. However, others were sent in his stead.” Tobin rested his hand on the wall Nachun singled out. “After seeing Nubinya, I realized that many of his ideas were probably borrowed from other clans.” He paused, thinking. “Though at least in Nubinya’s case, it seems as though he improved upon their techniques.”

Nachun nodded. “I would have to agree.”

They continued walking, and Tobin noticed the influx of wares from the plunder of Nubinya. Bazraki had not bled the desert city dry, but he was sure to take enough of their past from them to break their spirit. The most valuable items, Tobin’s father kept for himself. His most loyal and trusted allies then chose several items for themselves as a reward for their services. Merchants received the remaining items to sell in the market where Bazraki would tax their profit. Yesterday’s cast-offs were now today’s fastest selling and most expensive items in the market. People clamored to purchase such goods at nearly ten times their worth.

The trash of a ruler is a prize to the commoner.

Nachun came across an older man selling scrolls, books, and even ancient stone tablets. The shaman’s eyes lit up and he eagerly began asking questions about their contents, seeking documents about the most ancient histories of the continent of Hesh.

“I may be here for awhile. Go on. I’ll catch up,” said Nachun while examining one of the scrolls.

“I can wait,” said Tobin shrugging.

Without looking up the shaman answered with a grunt. “I know you have no interest in such things. Please, do not stay for my benefit.” Nachun went back to his questions with the merchant, discussing the accuracy of several items, haggling over price.

Tobin decided to wait anyway, leaning against a nearby post. Shaded from the sun by a canopy, his eyes roamed about, taking in the scene.
It seems that every time I return, the city changes. I barely even remember what it looked like when I was a boy.
His eyes stopped on a group of merchants selling fresh fruit, focusing on one stand selling breadfruit.

A petite woman with skin like polished onyx spoke to the merchant. She reached out and touched the man’s arm as the two shared a laugh. She did this while loading a basket, one breadfruit after the other into her basket with no help from the merchant. Her beauty distracted the man, and Tobin watched him undress her with his eyes. Tobin walked over to the stand, agitated by the merchant’s behavior.

“Are all merchants as poor a salesman as you?” asked Tobin.

The beaded jewelry about the round man’s neck jingled as he jumped, looking around nervously.

At least he has the decency to be embarrassed.

The merchant lowered his gaze, ready to offer an apology.

“Tobin?” The woman looked up from the basket, her full lips parting into a wide smile. “I knew that was your voice!” She reached up, almost jumping, wrapping her arms around him and giving a tight squeeze before letting go.

“T-Tobin?” The merchant stuttered. “I beg your forgiveness. I had no idea you knew the woman or …”

“Or what?” Tobin cut in. He pointed down. “You would have helped her load the basket.”

“Y-yes, I’m very sorry. Please, what can I do to make things right?” said the man bowing as low as he dared without falling over.

Tobin folded his arms. “Reducing the cost by one quarter of the total for a start.”

“One quarter?” the merchant whispered.

“It is only fair. Also, this is much too heavy for someone so delicate. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Defeated, the merchant let out a sigh. “I can have my son deliver the fruit wherever you like.”

“The palace.”

“Yes, of course.” The merchant paused, scratching the top of his hands. “So all is settled then? We won’t need to bring this before your father or brother, correct?”

“Both my father and brother have more pressing concerns,” said Tobin, more angry than intended.
He knows who and what I am and yet his fear lies with those I know, not me.
“We’re settled.”

The merchant bowed lower. “Thank you.” He pulled a flap to the tent behind his stand, shouting a boy’s name as he entered.

When the tent flap closed, a soft voice spoke up. “Why did you do that? He was harmless. Besides, I am more than capable of carrying the basket myself.”

“I never said you weren’t. But that doesn’t mean you should have to carry it either.”

Lucia smiled, shaking her head. “You are too good to me.”

“I could never be such a thing.”

She smiled again, putting her head down in embarrassment. Then as though remembering something, she looked up with concern. “Where were you yesterday? I didn’t see you with the rest of the army returning from Nubinya. People were waiting to glimpse Tobin,” she said, deepening her voice, “the mighty Kifzo warrior.”

Tobin chuckled. “Now who is being too good to whom?” He paused, shaking his head. “No. Juanoq cares little for me.” He inclined his head toward the merchant’s tent. “This one didn’t know who I was until you said my name. And even then, he feared not me, but Bazraki and Kaz.”

Lucia frowned, laying a hand on his arm. “You are always so hard on yourself. You’re a good man.”

Remembering the little girl cowering in the gloom of her hut at Munai, his blade lashing out and striking across her throat, Tobin tensed at Lucia’s touch.
I wish I felt the same.

A clamor of noise rose up behind the two, and Lucia let her hand drop. The people in the market swarmed around a Kifzo moving through the masses, ignoring the cheers and praise directed at him. Kaz walked tall and confident with his head held high and chest puffed out. His eyes flashed about, searching. A rare but genuinely warm smile crept across his face having spotted Lucia. The moment faded, face turning into a scowl, as Kaz’s eyes crawled upward and met Tobin’s.

Tobin turned to Lucia whose face lit up in a way that made him feel insignificant.

How can she be so happy to see him?

She ran and leaped into Kaz’s arms, the couple embracing until the crowd dispersed, having realized their hero would not entertain their conversations or buy their goods. Tobin looked on, gawking in disbelief, as Lucia giggled from an unheard whisper spoken by Kaz.

Even after all these years, I can’t forget.
Kaz met Tobin’s eyes as the couple separated, grinning all the same.
And he knows it. He knows I wanted her first. But just like everything else in my life that he’s taken from me, he took her before I even had my chance.

“
Brother
, I hope you weren’t bothering my wife again.”

“Kaz, be nice. Tobin could never bother me. We’re family.” said Lucia.

Kaz said nothing in reply but grunted, the look on his face telling Tobin what he thought of that.

“It was pure coincidence that we ran into each other,” said Tobin, trying to smooth things over.

“Yes and Tobin got a better deal on the breadfruit I was buying for the dinner tonight. It was the last thing on my list,” said Lucia

Kaz grinned. He took Lucia by the arm, “Good. If you are done, then we have some time for ourselves.”

“But Kaz, I haven’t paid the merchant yet,” said Lucia, protesting.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure my
brother
will be more than happy to take care of that for you. Won’t you?”

Tobin answered, looking only at Lucia. “Go on.”

She smiled. “Thank you. I’ll make the breadfruit extra special for you tonight.”

Tobin smiled and in return Kaz growled. “C’mon. Leave my
brother
to his errands.” Kaz took his wife by the arm and left the market.

Turning back to the merchant’s stand, a young, gangly boy, no more than eleven, barreled through the tent’s flap in a rush, shouts from his father following him. “And be quick about it, you hear? I’ve been too easy on you.” The boy came around front in a hurry, picking up the basket with a pull and a grunt. Taking a moment to gain his balance, he wobbled down the road in direction of the palace, basket resting on one shoulder.

The merchant stared after him, muttering something under his breath. He waved a dismissive hand and turned back to face Tobin, noticing for the first time that Lucia was no longer there. “Where is the lovely woman?” he said worried.

“Gone. I’ll settle the bill. How much?” asked Tobin with a sigh.

“Eight coppers.”

“And the reduced price?”

“Oh, of course,” said the merchant, bowing low. “Please forgive me. Six coppers then.”

“Six coppers for a basket of fruit?”

“I picked these breadfruit this very morning with my own hand! You cannot get any fresher without bringing the tree here itself.”

“Fine, I’ll pay your price.” Though after looking the large man over once more, Tobin knew the likelihood of him picking the fruit himself was slim. He removed a pouch from the inside of his vest and threw six coins on the stand, which the merchant scooped up before they came to a rest.

Tobin left the breadfruit stand and returned to Nachun as the shaman wrapped up his purchase of a large pile of scrolls, maps, books, and tablets.

“When can you have these delivered?” asked Nachun.

“I should have them to you this evening,” said the old man.

“So soon?” said the shaman.

The old merchant smiled. “I always take care of my best customers.”

Nachun nodded, handing over a stack of coins. “Half now and half again when they reach my door.”

The merchant’s smile soured some, but he nodded in agreement all the same.

Nachun and Tobin set off down the road, but this time without speaking.

Nachun was the first to speak. “Are you well?”

“I’m fine.”

After a few more moments the shaman asked, “Was that Kaz’s wife? She is quite beautiful.”

“Yes.” Tobin paused. “Please do not speak of her again to me.”

The two continued their walk in silence before they parted ways.

* * *

Construction on Juanoq’s walls ended almost ten years ago. Jutting out of an otherwise flat but lush land, the granite and azurite stonework towered one hundred feet and built a third as thick as they were tall. Scholars often remarked that the colossal structure had no equal in the known lands of Hesh, and only those ancient cities across The Great Divide were all that could be compared to it in brilliance. Many, including Tobin, questioned such claims, as little evidence suggested such places existed any longer.

Since Bazraki had come into power, his advisors had pleaded with him to build a palace to match his own might, but it wasn’t until those walls were completed that Tobin’s father finally allowed construction to begin on a new home. Yet almost a decade later, work on the palace still plodded along. The reason for the delays resulted from Bazraki’s continual abandonment of the project in order to further strengthen Juanoq’s defenses.

The first interruption of work occurred just a few short months into preparing the palace’s foundation when Bazraki reassigned workers from the excavation process, tasking them instead to erect towers along the city’s walls, each thirty feet high. Construction of a large moat around the city caused the next work stoppage. Filled by diverting a tributary of the Dahan River, the moat not only provided the city with easy access to the river’s resources, but with the Paritia Ocean on one side, water completely surrounded Juanoq.

After the moat’s completion, Bazraki allowed work to resume on the palace until once again resources were diverted to bolster the defenses of the city. Workers built a dozen defensive towers, as high as Juanoq’s walls, cylindrical in shape, outside of the city on the opposite side of the moat. The positioning of the towers ensured that an invading army would not be able to attack any one tower without also facing fire from at least three others. Such design created a unique killing ground for any group daring enough to challenge the Blue Island Clan’s growing power and stability.

Not long after garrisoning the towers, Bazraki set out to conquer the Orange Desert Clan and thus something as trivial as a palace, fell by the wayside. Still, his advisors never stopped their endless squawking, saying that a completed palace would bring Bazraki a greater sense of awe in the minds of his enemies. Bazraki scoffed back saying, “What better way to inspire awe than to give them something to fear?” They had no answer to such a blunt point.