Guilt can be a heavy burden. I’m feeling guilty today because it’s not raining and I could be outside working in my garden. But it’s really, really windy and I can’t stand windy days like this. Besides, if I were out working in my garden I’d feel guilty about not getting more editing done or posting the next chapter of EoO. I’ve learned that you can’t win with guilt. You either accept the choice you’re making or let it chew up your guts.
So, I’m happy that its windy today, because it makes it so much easier to stay inside and work on writing and editing. Although my Oura ring is bleeping at me telling me now, telling me I’ve sat on my backside long enough and need to ‘stretch my legs’. Hmmm, more guilt. Not very helpful. I think I’ll just ignore it and get back to editing.
So, here is Chapter 12 - a lighter read than the last one where we left Bex returning to town after nearly getting devoured by a Galaal tree and finally finding the crystal key. Now we turn to Abuzi as she sneaks around the back alleys meeting with the Enforcers.
Chapter 12
Despite the blazing heat, Abuzi tugged the hood of her cape tighter as she skirted around the merchant’s table laden with wares. Discretion was more important than comfort. She ignored the multi-coloured glass bells tinkling as they brightly announced her entry. She ducked her head and entered the dark shadowy room with air as thick as soup. Allowing her eyes to adjust, a mahagony hand reached through a heavy curtain hanging at the back of the room, parting it, and beckoning her further into the depths of the room. Abuzi pushed her hood back as she stepped through the gap, her eyes connecting with the honey-coloured orbs of Enforcer Arelwyn. He was seated at a low table in the corner and motioned for her to sit on the stool across from him.
Her eyes lingered on the large figure standing at the side of the curtained doorway.
“Don’t worry about Garnak. He can be trusted,” Arelwyn informed her.
She continued inspecting him, taking in the full width and height of his massive frame. Then, as if making up her mind to trust Arelwyn’s judgement, she nodded and continued into the room.
“What have you learned?” She squatted on the stool and adjusted her skirts.
“Right to the point. That’s what I like about you. No fluff,” he smiled as he lifted a pot and poured a dark steaming liquid into two cups on the table between them.
“I don’t have the luxury of fluff,” Abuzi snapped in her clipped, formal way. “My attention is needed elsewhere and chasing a rebellious grinder is a distraction. I need to know what progress she has made with the manuscript.”
Moving with a slow grace, he handed her a cup of the hot drink. “Please. At least enjoy a cup of dous with me. It will help cool you after your long walk through the market.”
“It is as hot as Sarnoth’s breath out there today,” she acquiesced, as she took the cup from his calloused hands.
Arelwyn sipped his drink and looked at her over the rim of his cup. “I believe the manuscript was translated and that she has found the crystal key.”
Her face as unrevealing as the hard baked ground, Abuzi sipped her drink, “The boy’s GrandSir?”
“Yes. If anyone could translate that book, it would be him. When I paid them a visit, their excuse was that the boy was trying to convince the old man to move in with him,” he pushed his fingers through his short wavy brown hair and sat back. “Interesting that after my visit they stopped going to see him, borrowed a hovercraft and spent the next several days scouting the dunes of Obupiri.”
“And did they find what they were looking for?” Her cup midway to her lips, her eyes watched the dark swirling contents as she awaited his response.
“I believe they did,” he sat forward and looked at her, waiting for a glimmer of a response.
Taking another sip, she glanced sideways at Garnak, then back to Arelwyn, “Very good. We will need to watch her even more closely. I don’t want her slipping through the veil prematurely.”
“What would you like me to do?”
“Just watch her,” she sat her cup down and stood, straightening her robe. “I’ll call another meeting with her.”
“Very well,” Arelwyn remained seated.
Abuzi turned to leave, then stopped, looked back at Arelwyn, “Any updates on the Erismati assassins?”
Arelwyn’s jaw clenched, and a twitch nibbled his right eye. His lip curled as he reported, “Those three are real trouble. They’ve left the village for now, but I expect they’ll be back.”
“Keep a very close eye on them and if they show any interest in Bex, alert me immediately,” she commanded.
“Of course,” Arelwyn told her. “Would you like me to take care of them?”
She stopped, mid-turn, “No. That would be inviting outright war with Shrykka. We do not want that as it would lead to chaos and likely the breaking of the Lesitha. Just let me know if they return and keep an eye on the girl.”
She hurried back through the doorway ignoring Garnak’s attempt to part the curtain. Pulling her hood over her head, she ducked past the bells and quickly returned to the market where she gracefully drifted into the flow of passersby.
The heat hit her immediately, even under the shade cloths stretched between the buildings. She could feel the dry air scratching at her lungs. She was grateful for the cup of dous Arelwyn had offered her, although she wasn’t pleased with the recent informal nature of his demeanor. She had taken him into her confidence out of necessity and hoped she wouldn’t regret it. He was a good Enforcer, knowledgeable in the ways of the Facet, but naïve in the ways of the Eth’hedrial. If he thought he might replace her, he was gravely mistaken, and grossly over ambitious.
Advisors weren’t so much selected as they were born, grown, nurtured, and guided into their positions. Very few achieved her level of authority and influence. And even more had been displaced through hubris and ego. To become an Advisor, one had to be self-sacrificing above all else. There was no room for ego. Even though many of her fellow Advisors were ambitious and actually thought they could succeed to be the next Torsoma. They didn’t understand the intricacies of the Facets. The delicate balance that is required to maintain equilibrium between the worlds. Nor do they appreciate the threat the Erismati poses. Most see them as an annoyance or a nuisance at best. They do not understand that their very survival would be threatened should Shrykka get ahold of the manuscript and especially the crystal key.
Knowing that a young girl who may or may not be a Resyn, now possesses both the manuscript and a Lesitha Crystal, gave Abuzi a queasy feeling in her bowels. Did she really think that this young rebellious child could be the key to their future and the stability of the Facets? All she could do was provide what guidance she could. To do more would invite interference from others and the last thing she wanted was to draw too much attention to what lay ahead for young Bex.
If you’re enjoying following Bex’s adventure, please consider sharing The Eververse Chronicles with your friends.
I’d really like to hear what you think about the story so far. Can you visualize the world Bex lives in? Who is your favorite character so far? Please leave a comment and let me know what you like or don’t like.
Hello Catherine. I believe we’ve missed this chapter in our group.. now, I am all caught up.