The Peasant (3 page)

With Rippling Water's illness so mysterious, and Flying Arrow's summons so eager, Guarding Bear knew his daughter had become a pawn in the struggle between them. He felt furious that the Emperor already stood poised to capture her, wanting to shield her from the hazards of the game.

Guarding Bear gestured the messenger to enter, then retreated to his desk.

The travel-worn man made his obeisance.

“How did you get in, Lord Mouse?” Guarding Bear amused himself by calling the couriers various rodent names, not wanting to know their real names.

“The safehouse three streets up, Lord General,” the courier said, “from there into the sewer to here. No one stopped me and I doubt anyone saw me.”

Guarding Bear nodded, disliking the squint-eyed man. “You're carrying secured information?”

“Yes, Lord General,” the courier replied.

Guarding Bear nodded and said, “Broken arrow.”

The courier's face went slack for a moment, then assumed some of the sender's characteristics. In the northern border dialect, he said, “Infinite be with you, Lord General. The Emperor Snarling Jaguar was seen traveling eastward through the northern foothills of the Windy Mountains with forty warriors and a shielded, curtained palanquin containing a tiger cub. The Emperor acted more concerned with protecting the tiger than his own person. Later, this same procession headed west with the Emperor's brother, the bandit Leaping Elk. A third contact later saw Scowling Tiger traveling east with, I presume, the same tiger cub. Suggest it might be a menagerie animal, but can't confirm. All agents legitimate. Burrow Coordinator awaiting instructions, Lord.”

Guarding Bear kept his face bland as the courier stirred. “Thank you, Lord Mouse. Return message. Code: Bandit scum.” He waited for the courier's face to go slack again, then recited the message: “Jungle cat message received. Excellent synthesis. Continue to watch Snarling Jaguar. Don't interfere. Assume that the animal is from the menagerie and find out why he gave one to that despicable bandit. Report as needed, Burrow Coordinator. Well done. End message.”

A city near the Empire's northern border, Burrow was a mere twenty miles south of the fortress where the bandit Scowling Tiger lurked, waiting for Flying Arrow or Guarding Bear to make a fatal slip. Why would Snarling Jaguar give my ancient enemy such a valuable animal? Guarding Bear wondered. Selectively bred for ten generations, the Imperial Jaguar Menagerie animals were like the Swords. With their talents a man might usurp an Empire, as Snarling Jaguar's grandfather had.

Regaining consciousness, the courier rubbed his cheeks as though waking from a nap.

“Follow me, Lord Mouse. You'll change into uniform and accompany me partway to the castle. Another will replace you along the way, and then you'll return to your post. Munificently remunerated, of course.”

“Eh, Lord General?”

“Paid well, Lord Mouse.” Guarding Bear led the way to the in-house barracks, three floors down. Greeting the quartermaster, he ordered a quick bath and change of clothes for the courier.

The Captain of his guard, Silent Whisper, approached. “Lord General, the Lady Matriarch is ready to leave, and all units responded to the countermand.”

“Good, Lord Captain. Escort the Lady to the castle yourself and 'casually' meet me on the way back, eh?”

“Yes, Lord General. We'll leave immediately.” Frowning, Silent Whisper thumbed the hilt of his sword, as if eager to use it. “Uh, I, uh, didn't like what I saw, Lord.”

“What did you see?” This is my new Captain, Guarding Bear reminded himself, knowing the man unaccustomed to his style of command. “Please speak your mind freely, Lord Captain.” I'll have to turn him over to my mate, Guarding Bear thought. Her hand is much more sure and gentle. I don't have the patience to train another Captain of my personal guard. Too many have died fending off assassins.

“I saw responses to the alert from places I shouldn't have, Lord.”

“Such as Imperial counter-insurgency forces?”

“Possibly, Lord General,” Silent Whisper said.

“Thank you for telling me, Lord Captain. I'll look into it when I get back.” Guarding Bear knew he needed to refurbish the shield-alert system. Forefront in his thoughts, however, was the courier's information. Now he knew that the price of his daughter's life wouldn't be his own. The information would buy her cure, Snarling Jaguar due to arrive in two days to settle a border dispute with Flying Arrow.

L
ike fingerprints and voices, every psychic signature is different. Everyone emits energy along a combination of frequencies. The relative strengths of these frequencies affect the psychic flow in a unique way. Furthermore, signatures often contain personal information. Commonly encoded are name, age, rank, talent, and occupation, depending on how important that information is. Since a signature is the first impression others receive, a person usually defines its content carefully. Nobles, for instance, often incorporate their insignias. Also, the military implants rank in warriors' signatures to prevent the need for visual emblems of rank and to prevent warriors from assuming fictitious ranks.—
Mind Print: The Psychic Signature
.

* * *

Her daughter in her arms, Bubbling Water squinted as she stepped from the house. The bright world glared with sharp edges, her eyes dull from her four-day vigil.

As one, the twenty-warrior detachment bowed to her. The Captain Silent Whisper asked, “Would the Lady Matriarch like a palanquin?”

Nodding to acknowledge their obeisances, Bubbling Water switched on the electrical shield at her waist. “No, thank you, Lord Captain. I'll walk.” Her muscles stiff from inactivity, she strode toward the gate.

Fifteen warriors rushed to precede her. One held open the gate. The others fanned out on the street to secure it.

We look like an attack force, she thought, frowning. Breathing the outdoor scents deeply, she turned north along the peaceful street, the houses few, the gardens large.

“Shall I clear the hedges of the Lord Emperor's minions, Lady?” Silent Whisper asked quietly, striding a pace ahead and to one side of her.

“No, Lord Captain, they'll only return later.”

“I was asking whether to, uh, kill them.”

“Absolutely not, Lord Captain. They're citizens first and the Emperor's minions second.” Smiling, Bubbling Water looked at the hedge to their right. “Lord Breeze, congratulations on your son's birth.”

“Thank you, Lady Matriarch,” said a voice from the hedge. “Infinite bless you.”

Silent Whisper laughed, shaking his head. “How can you be so charitable, Lady?”

She smiled, remembering what she knew about him. Silent Whisper was new in their service, an efficient man if reports were accurate. The mayor of Nest, a city on the western edge of the Caven Hills, had recommended Silent Whisper after the previous Captain had died thwarting an assassin. “Welcome to the Bear Family, Lord Captain,” Bubbling Water said. “We're honored to have your service. Tell me about yourself.”

“Thank you, Lady. It is an honor to be of service. What is there to tell?”

“I've read your file, Lord, but I'd like to hear you tell it.” Bubbling Water encouraged him more for the distraction than to be kind. In her arms, the girl stirred. Setting up a link with the infant, Bubbling Water comforted her, Rippling Water miserable with fever.

* * *

“You're very kind to this humble warrior, Lady.” Silent Whisper signaled to the fifteen warriors preceding them. Five split off at the intersection ahead to cover the street to the east while the other ten went west. Five warriors remained behind the pair as they turned onto a wider street. The late-afternoon sun crowned the castle a mile ahead.

“I'm a native of Nest,” Silent Whisper said. “I've served the Lord General Bear for fifteen years, like my father before me. I was too young to fight when the Lord General conquered the Northern Empire. A few years later, when the Lord Emperor declared Scowling Tiger a traitor, I was just old enough to help the Lord General Bear expel him from the Empire. My cousins fought on the Traitor's side. During the war, I dueled and defeated one of them.” I've told her
most
of the truth, haven't I? Silent Whisper thought, keeping his mind carefully shielded. Twenty years ago, Scowling Tiger had asked Silent Whisper's father to have his brother in Nest adopt him. At ten years old Silent Whisper had become, and still was, Scowling Tiger's spy. “Those were glorious times, eh?” He wondered when Scowling Tiger would order him to assassinate the Peasant Upstart Usurper.

“I don't agree. I thought they were terrible,” Bubbling Water said. “Please go on, Lord Captain.”

“Yes, Lady.” He glanced over his shoulder at her, wondering if he'd offended her. She doesn't
look
offended, he thought. “After the civil war I served a stint at Burrow, then returned to Nest to serve in the city militia.” Silent Whisper watched each passerby as he or she bowed to the Matriarch Water. He saw in one that slight alteration of signature that Guarding Bear had told him to look for. “Another of the Lord Emperor's spies,” he murmured. “Cunning of the Lord General to alter their minds like that, Lady Matriarch. I'd have simply killed them.”

“They're citizens first, Lord Captain. Unfortunately, we haven't had a Wizard on retainer for over a year. Who the new spies are, we don't know.”

Silent Whisper nodded, remembering when the military had implanted his rank into his signature. Guarding Bear's changes to the spies' signatures was similar, but so subtle the Emperor never noticed. The Captain glanced back at Bubbling Water. “Are you all right, Lady?”

Her eyes looked wild and bewildered, and her forehead was shiny with sweat. “I want to stop at the potter's stall, Lord Captain.” Bubbling Water gestured toward the side street ahead.

“Eh? Your daughter's sick, the Lord Emperor has summoned you, and you want to stop at the potter's stall?”

“Please do as I say, Lord Captain.” She was looking past him, to the side street.

“Yes, Lady Matriarch.” Sucking his teeth, Silent Whisper sent ten warriors down the street, and then looked at her. “You look faint, Lady. Please, allow me to get you a palanquin.”

“I'm all right, Lord Captain. Thank you for your concern.”

* * *

The potter's stall was one among many, the street crowded with vendors and customers. Bubbling Water quartered the street with her eyes, wondering why a vision had told her to come here. The warriors dispersed the people gathered at the stall. The potter frowned at them until she saw the Matriarch. Bubbling Water's purchase of anyone's wares always brought the vendor ample profit. Customers would besiege the stall after the Matriarch had left.

“Infinite be with you, Lady Matriarch Water.” The potter bowed deeply from behind a low table. Displayed on the table were several sets of red ceramic dishes. Behind the table was a chair, a bucket of glaze, and two barrels of clay. The larger barrel of common red clay was half-empty, the smaller barrel still sealed. “An honor to see you again, Lady, and more than an honor to serve you.”

“Honor enough to get a set of plates for a reasonable price, Potter?”

A noble rarely addressed an inferior by the full name, usually using surname, rank or occupation. Only hereditary nobles, warriors and psychic Wizards merited the titles “Lord” or “Lady.”

“For you, Lady Matriarch, my prices are always low.”

“Since you'll double them after I've left, Potter, they should be.”

“What is price to the Lady Matriarch Water? She wants quality. Please, allow me to make you a set of porcelain plates much better than the poor wares on display. For you, I'll make the finest I've ever produced.”

“That's what you said the last time I was here.” Bubbling Water tried not to grin, enjoying the banter. To take the sting from the insult, she added, “The porcelain bowls you made me are the finest I've ever had, Potter. All my guests ask where I got them.”

“You're too kind, Lady. Shall I make a set for you? In five minutes, I'll make you the best plates outside Emparia Castle.”

“Thank you, Potter, yes. Twenty will be adequate.” Why did the vision tell me to come
here
? Bubbling Water wondered. This potter is only a lowly artisan.

Bowing, the potter opened the smaller sealed barrel and stepped back. She brought her empty hands together as if digging up a lump. From the barrel rose a cylinder of grayish-white clay. She motioned with her hands as if turning something between them. The cylinder began to spin, then split into twenty equal chunks. Her hands horizontal, the potter brought them slowly together. Each spinning chunk flattened and grew a lip around the edge. She spread her hands toward the column, palms out. Steam billowed from it. “What color glaze would the Lady Matriarch prefer?”

“A clear glaze please, Potter.”

“As the Lady wishes,” the potter said. “You'll have a glazier paint a pattern on the rim, Lady?” Getting no response, the potter motioned again. The spinning stack of fine porcelain plates glowed with heat, firing the clay. Then the potter gestured, and the plates stacked themselves on the table. Bubbling Water wondered if motions such as hers were vestigial from when humans didn't have psychic talents.

“They'll take a moment to cool, Lady Matriarch.”

Bubbling Water felt the heat radiating from them. “Thank you, Potter. How much please?”

“Two taels please.”

“Usurious!” she said instantly, knowing the price reasonable. She shut off the electrical shield to bargain telepathically. A moment later they settled on a price. She dug money from the purse at her sash. “I expect you'll deliver the merchandise to the Bear residence this evening?”

“Of course, Lady Matriarch. I'll happily do so myself.” The potter bowed.

“Thank you, Potter. That's very kind.” Why the Infinite did the vision say to stop here? Bubbling Water wondered again. Nodding to acknowledge the obeisance, she activated her electrical shield, then turned to go.

Standing beside her was a blond-haired boy, who smiled up at her. “I can cure your daughter, Lady.”

“Begone, peasant!” Silent Whisper grabbed the boy to throw him into the street, away from the Matriarch.

“Wait,” she said.

Silent Whisper looked at her, his eyebrows high on his forehead. “Forgive me for not stopping him, Lady. I didn't realize he was so close.” Suddenly a livid rash appeared on his arm. He scratched it vigorously. Then he sneezed, sneezed, sneezed again. Turning green, he swallowed, as if about to vomit. “I don't feel well,” he said, looking faint, turning red and sweating profusely.

“Let go of me and you'll feel better,” the boy said, his bright blue eyes full of mischief.

Silent Whisper let go and his symptoms disappeared.

“
You're
a medacor?” Bubbling Water asked in disbelief. The boy within shield range, she saw how his signature glowed with talent. “Here.” Kneeling, she held out her daughter.
He
is the reason my vision told me to stop at the potter's stall.

Smiling, the boy placed his hands on Rippling Water's head. His hands were huge. “There, Lady Water. She's all right now,” he said.

The peripheral energy blew through her. What a talent he has! Bubbling Water thought, linking minds with her daughter to check her symptoms.

Rippling Water looked perfectly healthy.

“You're very good. What's your name?” She didn't see his name in his signature, which she thought odd.

“I'm Healing Hand.” He touched her wrist.

“Thank you, Hand.” A warmth like the rays of the sun coursed through her. The fatigue of her four-day vigil fled like autumn leaves from wind whipped tree. Bubbling Water felt better than she had in years. “Infinite bless you, Hand!”

With his touch however, he'd told her Rippling Water's illness was poison-induced. “Listen, Hand, see that street?” She pointed to the main avenue from which she'd come. “When Guarding Bear comes along that street, tell him you cured her the same way you told me. Would you do that?”

Healing Hand nodded, looking sad. “Why would anyone do that to her?”

“I don't know, but Infinite bless you, Healing Hand. Thank you. Thank you very much. I need to go now. Remember to tell him, eh?”

“I will, Lady. Infinite be with you.”

“And with you.” Smiling at him, Bubbling Water rose and gestured Silent Whisper follow. Walking toward the main avenue, she felt immensely relieved that Healing Hand had cured her daughter. She hoped he'd do as she asked. He could consult the psychic flow to find out what Guarding Bear looked like, if he didn't already know. The scarred nose on the handsome face was famous.

“Forgive me, Lady Matriarch,” Silent Whisper said. “The boy sneaked past me. I didn't even see him. I'm sorry I let him get so close.”

“I don't doubt your vigilance, Lord Captain. The boy's very talented. He meant for you not to see him.”

“Do you think so, Lady?” Silent Whisper scratched his head, looked at the hand he'd used, and then glanced back.

Grinning at him, Healing Hand disappeared into crowd.

“The little imp cured her, eh?” Silent Whisper muttered, shaking his head. “After six medacors failed?”

She nodded as the group turned the corner.

Emparia Castle eclipsed the afternoon sun.

Shivering in its shadow, Bubbling Water wondered who had poisoned her daughter.