The Peasant (18 page)

I counted two abstentions, three votes for my removal and three advocates for my investiture, the Emperor among the latter. Sweat trickled down my back, but I kept my face impassive. The last member to vote was the Empress Steaming Water, who wanted her mate to raze the Caven Hills. She was ruthless, callous, pitiless—and my life was in her hands. “I agree with you, my mate,” she said. I tried like the Infinite to conceal my relief. “However, I propose that until the peasant proves his ability to govern, he bear the title of chief civil administrator. A title such as 'regent Prefect' would elevate him to full noble status, which he doesn't merit.”

Smoking Arrow nodded. “The Imperial Ruling Council has spoken.

“Lord
General
Scowling Tiger,” the Emperor said, “I ask you to appoint the peasant Guarding Bear civil administrator of the Caven Hills, responsible only to me or my successors. After five years, the Imperial Ruling Council will decide whether to invest him with full powers and elevate him to noble—or execute him for his treason.”

Scowling Tiger didn't avert his gaze from my face. His left fist ground into his thigh. I could feel the heat of his impotent rage. “Lord Emperor Arrow, I regretfully and under protest appoint this Peasant Upstart Usurper civil administrator of the Caven Hills.”

“Congratulations, Bear.” Smoking Arrow smiled at Scowling Tiger.

* * *

“Scowling Tiger was the first person to call me that,” Guarding Bear said quietly to the boy curled up in his arms. “Blast it, his name stuck like an arrow into a target. I haven't been able to rid myself of it since. Hand, I don't like being the Peasant Upstart Usurper. I wish the Infinite would take that mask away.”

Sighing, Guarding Bear glanced at the medacor sleeping on the pallet, surprised Calming Touch hadn't stirred throughout his story. “Now that I've climbed so far, I find myself wondering why. Why have I come to this station in life? Why haven't I died honorably in battle like so many of my fellow warriors, or suffered a betrayal like my dear brother Brazen Bear? Why have I survived to become an angry old man, when so many others, far more worthy, have fallen under the blade? Why am I still alive, when by all reasoning a Peasant Upstart Usurper like me should be long dead, eh?”

“Maybe the Infinite's got something for you to do.”

“That's probably true, Hand. I wish the ways of the Infinite weren't so inscrutable; I don't like being its puppet.” Guarding Bear sighed. “You'd better go soon, eh? Before someone finds you here.”

The boy nodded absently. “Do you want me to put you back to sleep?”

“Of course.”

His face puzzled, Healing Hand frowned. “Why don't you want me to free you, Lord Bear?”

“You came here to free me? Is that why you're here?”

Healing Hand nodded.

“Thank you, my friend. You're a wonderful boy.” The General chuckled and sighed. “No, Hand, I want you to sedate me again. Thank you for offering, but you can't give me the freedom I'd like, because my prison's here.” He pointed at his head. “When I stop thinking I'm the Peasant Upstart Usurper, I'll open the door to my cell. When I
start
thinking I'm the loyal citizen Guarding Bear, I'll leave my prison behind.”

T
he power of the matriarchies reached its apex during the reign of the seventh Emperor Arrow. Flying Arrow's aunt and surrogate mother assumed control of the Water Matriarchy when she was only sixteen years old. From a loose network of perhaps a tenth of all Eastern women, Bubbling Water built a tightly-reined hierarchy. Upon her death at fifty nine, the Water Matriarchy included almost half of them and extended into all four Empires. So avidly did she barter hers and her daughters' pleasures that her enemies called her “the Imperial Whore.” She withheld those pleasures for equal gain. She was the archetype of wanton female sexuality that instills so much fear in our male-dominated society today.—
The Women, the Power
, by Shriveling Stalk.

* * *

“Why did Snarling Jaguar summon you?” Healing Hand rocked back and forth with the gentle swaying of the richly-decorated palanquin.

“I wish I knew, Hand.” Sitting opposite him, Bubbling Water glanced through the thin curtains, watching landmarks as they passed them. Warriors marched in ranks three-thick beside the pair of palanquins. “You'll have to get out before we reach the gate, eh?”

“Yes, Lady Water,” he replied glumly.

“Do you know what's ahead? It might not be pleasant.”

Healing Hand nodded. “I don't understand all the excitement, though.”

Bubbling Water smiled. “I wish I could explain it, Hand.”

“Tell me what happened after you took the Lord Bear out of the room last night. I'll bet he was madder than a wet cat, eh?”

Chuckling, she nodded. “Come here.” He crawled across the palanquin cushions and into her arms. “The Lord Bear and I have almost adopted you, you know.” She kissed his forehead and embraced him.

“Well, I've completely adopted
you
, Lady. If I didn't have a mother, I'd make you mine.”

“Oh, Healing Hand, you're wonderful.” Sighing, she brushed his hair back from his forehead.

* * *

Last night, after I hauled Guarding Bear from the amphitheater, he struggled to escape my talent, heaping curses on me. Too many guards were in the main corridor, so I took him into a side corridor. Even so, about ten sentries watched the spectacle. Six of them, I saw, had the altered signature of a Patriarchy spy.

Guarding Bear wasn't very cooperative. I kept shaking the undefeated General as I would an obstinate child. (Oh, Hand, it wasn't
that
funny.) “Calm down and listen!” I said again and again.

The moment he stopped struggling, I set him down against the corridor wall. With my talent I knocked out all the sentries within hearing, except those in Guarding Bear's pay. “I have to get you out of the castle,
before
Flying Arrow thinks to execute you for assaulting the Lord Emperor Jaguar. I'm going to knock you unconscious while these warriors smuggle you to one of the sanctuaries. I'll send Calming Touch to repair any damage. I want you to stay there until I send word. My Lord, my mate, my love, I cherish you. If you don't obey, I'll tack your hide to the wall without skinning you first. Am I clear?”

Nodding meekly, he whispered, “The woman.”

At first, I could've put my fist through his face for his lack of remorse. He showed not the slightest regret for attacking Snarling Jaguar under the Inviolate Insignia. “What about her?”

“Make sure she's safe,” he said softly.

His concern melted me inside. I know he loves her dearly. “I will—she's my daughter as well as your brother's widow, remember?” Kissing him, I said, “You're intolerable sometimes.”

He grinned at me. “But, Lady, I find it so amusing.”

Laughing, I struck the base of his head. Slumping, he slid down the wall, out cold. I thanked the Infinite that he didn't question my motives. He could've escaped more easily on his own, but I needed him unconscious.

When I turned to the watching Bear spies, my heart fell to my feet. On the floor were the bodies of the Arrow sentries, their throats slit. Glaring at the warrior with the bloody knife, my face an inch from his, I snarled, “Blast it, they were unconscious! You didn't need to kill them!” I smashed him against the wall but restrained my talent enough not to kill him, then regretted I'd hurt him at all.

Selecting another warrior to lead the remaining four, I told him how to find one of the sanctuaries. “Send a warrior to the Bear residence for Calming Touch. Have her sedate him.” Orienting myself, I searched my memory for a secret exit from the castle. “Down this stairwell to the next level. Behind the statue of the headless warrior, the wall has a false panel. Twist the hilt of the statue's sword and follow the stairwell down. From the catacombs go north to the river.”

“Yes, Lady Matriarch.” The commander poked a finger at three warriors. “You, you, you, wrap the Lord General.” He pointed at another. “You, make sure no one follows us.” The five warriors disappeared down the stairs, carrying the inert Guarding Bear.

Returning to the amphitheater, I bargained Guarding Bear away to Snarling Jaguar, wanting to keep my mate beyond the range of the Emperor's arrows. I have to give Flying Arrow time to forgive the intolerable insult. How long that might take, I don't know. I haven't dared to wake Guarding Bear. If he regains consciousness, he'll refuse to become Snarling Jaguar's hostage. (Hush, Hand, let me finish.)

My prophecy of Lady Pine's pregnancy shocked everyone, especially Flying Arrow. I've never seen him cry like that, and I
reared
him. After that, I had to bargain with the Traitor for possession of Fleeting Snow. Lurking Hawk's the nominal Emperor when Flying Arrow can't perform his office or when something interrupts him. If I weren't a lady and a Matriarch with the cares of an Empire to shoulder, I'd have vomited at having to bargain with that Traitor. Thank the Infinite, I had some leverage on Lurking Hawk. Promising sweetly I wouldn't expose his role in Rippling Water's illness, I bargained for Fleeting Snow. I wonder when he'll betray Flying Arrow. I pray my nephew gets rid of Lurking Hawk before the Arrow Twins are born.

How do I feel about them? Replete with joy and infinitely frustrated. The loyal matriot inside me's happy we finally have a Succession Assured. The mate of Guarding Bear feels disheartened that a successor has now removed the Patriarchy one step further from the throne.

Before the twins' conception, everyone expected Flying Arrow's death to plunge the Empire into civil war. The most prominent patriarchies fought among themselves to gather the most influence. Even Scowling Tiger's been part of the dance, eh? He's waited for twelve years in his mountain fortress for Flying Arrow's death. He'd have invaded the Empire the moment the Imperial Sword slipped from the Emperor's dying hand. Not willing to admit he can't father a child, Flying Arrow refused to appoint an heir out of the dim hope that a miraculous arrow might somehow spring from an empty quiver. Under these conditions, the most influential patriarchy stands ever poised to usurp the throne. The act's as easy as a secret whispered in a vengeful ear or a poison dropped in an unwatched goblet. Now, all that has changed because a miraculous arrow
has
impregnated the Consort.

* * *

“Forgive me my disturbing you, Lady Matriarch. The Lord General stirs,” the Captain Freezing Fire said, falling into step beside her palanquin.

In a palanquin behind hers rode the sedated and dampered Guarding Bear. Bubbling Water had given Silent Whisper another task, liking him too much to risk his dying in the possible bloodshed ahead. “Have the Lady Touch give him another sedative, Lord Captain,” Bubbling Water said.

Calming Touch edged closer to the palanquin. Her eyes bleary and brown hair tousled, she looked as if she slept badly the night before. Having been with the Patriarchy for fifteen years, she looked outraged. “I feel it's my duty, Lady Matriarch, to object to the way you're treating—”

“I appreciate your concern, Lady Medacor,” Bubbling Water interrupted. “Thank you, and Infinite bless you for it. Please sedate him. You'll accompany the Lord Emperor Jaguar and keep the Lord Bear sedated until he's safely beyond the borders of the Eastern Empire.”

“Forgive me, Lady Matriarch, but the Lord General might not withstand repeated sedation.” Calming Touch frowned through the curtains at the boy in the Matriarch's arms.

“Please find some way to do it, Lady Touch,
without
endangering his life.” Bubbling Water pushed aside the curtain to look at the medacor directly. “I'm sorry your return from vacation wasn't more pleasant, Lady. Having been away, you don't know the result of the Lord General's suffering even a minor ailment—
or
completely regaining his faculties!”

“Yes, Lady.” Shuddering, Calming Touch bowed deeply and fell behind to attend to Guarding Bear.

Closing the curtain, Bubbling Water bit back a sob, feeling the medacor's indignity a hundredfold. “Dear Lord Infinite, forgive me for treating my own mate no better than a caged animal.”

“I don't think he'll mind, Lady Water,” Healing Hand said.

“Oh? Why's that, little mind-reader?” Tousling his hair, she drew comfort from his soft, slight form against her.

“You're doing it to help him, aren't you?” Snuggling deeper, he emitted contentment like a purring cat.

Bubbling Water chuckled. “I'm doing it to save his life!”

“Then he won't mind, will he?”

“I wish I were that confident. You know what I like about you, Hand? The way you find the light amidst the dark. That's a special quality.”

* * *

Late into the night, I worked to familiarize myself with current Patriarchy business. Fifty functionaries must have briefed me on various operations. Thank the Infinite none of them required Guarding Bear's personal attention. I've managed the Patriarchy before, when the General was away fighting wars. I'll manage it again.

“Nothing has changed,” I assured them all. To stop a spontaneous uprising, I sent the same assurance to all allies and covert operatives. “A foreign sickness will indispose the Lord General Bear for several months. Otherwise, his health is excellent. With salutations to all his friends, the Lord General Bear bestows his blessing upon the Imperial Arrow Twins and the Succession Assured.”

Four times in three days we've contacted them all with the same missive. Not once in the two years before the Emperor's summons have we had to do that. The frequency disturbs me. I'm afraid someone might have noticed. My trace prescience is boiling oddly as well. Change is upon the Empire. I wonder how much of that's because of the Twins.

By the time the sky grew light this morning, I felt comfortable that I held all lines of influence firmly reigned.

Not long after dawn, Flying Arrow issued the announcement I expected: All top-level Imperial administrators would gather at the castle for a conference. Since this included the Lord Security Commander Bear, I knew it an artifice to capture him. Flying Arrow's summons didn't violate the agreement between me and Snarling Jaguar because he didn't explicitly approve the trade. The Southern Emperor's threat to take offense might stop Flying Arrow from executing the General, but not from throwing Guarding Bear in the dungeons for the rest of his life. If he finds Guarding Bear with the help of the Imperial Sword, I've lost this terrible game.

Snarling Jaguar's summons arrived an hour later. “Infinite be with you, Lady Matriarch Water. I suggest you bring the Lord General Guarding Bear to my camp this afternoon, in stealth if possible. Short of an incursion into the city, my forces stand ready to help. Please inform. I request that you attend personally. I have a proposition for your ears only.”

I sent my niece Sparkling Stream to the camp with a plan to get Guarding Bear out of the city. Not long after that, Flying Arrow ordered all travelers stopped at the city gates. Supposedly, thieves plundered a shipment of rare jewels just before dawn. This ruse deceived no one.

Searching for Silent Whisper, I looked out the door. In the morning sun, the procession of two palanquins and fifty warriors assembled on the front lawn of the Bear residence. On the way to the west gate, we planned to stop at the sanctuary to get Guarding Bear. “Lord Captain.”

Silent Whisper pushed his way through the warriors and mounted the steps. Entering the house, he bowed before me. “Lady Matriarch.”

“I want you to turn your command over to the Lord Captain Fire today.”

“Forgive me, Lady, I refuse!”

Having helped me all night, he looked as tired as I felt. He's the most able and loyal Captain the General's personal guard has had in years. Before the day's over however, blood could spill. I needed to insure his didn't, valuing the fierce loyalty that motivates his service. Convincing him to give up his post for a day wasn't easy.

“Bless you for your devotion, Lord Captain.” I glanced around the antechamber. Too many people, I decided. Gesturing him to follow, I stepped into the refectory, closing the door behind us. He looked puzzled. “I have something else I want you to do today, Lord Whisper,” I told him. “That's just your excuse to turn the guard over to the Lord Fire.”

“Lady, I humbly ask you to rescind that order.”

Frowning, I stepped close to him and looked up into his face. “I don't want you to die today, my friend.”

Thawing, he wiped melted ice from his cheek.

“For today give your command to Freezing Fire, eh?”

Nodding, he looked as if he couldn't speak.

“Thank you, Lord. Thank you also for these.” I touched the moisture beneath his eye. “When you've composed yourself, see Trickling Stream upstairs. Oh, and be gentle with her, eh? She's sad I've given her youngest sister to the Lord Jaguar. They're close friends. Now they might not see each other for years. I'll send the Lord Fire up so you can tell him, oh, in ten minutes?”

Mute, he nodded again. Smiling, I returned to the antechamber, thanking the Infinite for him and for
all
the caring, devoted people around me.

* * *

“Thank the Infinite for you as well, Healing Hand.” Embracing him, Bubbling Water glanced out the curtains. “You have to go, Hand—now.” She took his face between her hands and kissed his forehead. “I love you, Hand. Go home and see your mother, eh?”