Khadi's Story 7: Order in Court |
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We slept together in the prison cell, and awoke to the sound of marching booted feet, an odd and clumsy sound. I expected to feel the Power strong within them, for surely any prison guards would be strong, but I felt nothing, and when the door was opened the person was a weakling Outsider. Why had I not guessed? I cursed myself for assuming once again things would be as they are at home in Kehahn. Perhaps it was as well we had not escaped, for surely now we would be taken before the Council of Mages. They chained my hands behind my back, and fastened another chain to the boy Heesm's slave-collar, and marched us up the steps to the outer audience chamber whence we had entered. I noticed that Heesm stumbled a little, and realised that he had not been accustomed to going without his klodes and boots. Perhaps that was why he sometimes shivered, too; I should teach him Heat and Posture later. We were led through the outer audience chamber into a shoddily constructed courtroom. There's something about a courtroom that is instantly recognisable anywhere. So we were not to see the Council of Mages. In that case, I didn't feel a need to behave. I whispered to Heesm next to me, I will need to hurt you in a moment, to get enough Power and he simply nodded quietly. I shall not bore you, O my brother, with the formalities of a provincial court. Suffice it to say that there were various self-important officials in attendance. There were some people introduced as formal observers, including a woman with hands and feet intact. I do not know why they let her listen. We were, of course, sentenced to be taken away and killed. When I realised they did not even plan to torture us, I was angered, and that strengthened me enough that I could burst my chains and fetters asunder and shed them. I grasped the boy's left hand and wrenched, breaking his fingers and making him scream. In that instant I Reached for the sword I had made at the smithy; it appeared in my hand glowing brightly, and I Declaimed my name and my purpose. We were at once surrounded by guards, but they had no Power. When one approached meaning to fight me, I Told him to kneel, and he could do nothing else. Soon all of the guards were kneeling. The official court recorder, a pointless and stupid man, appeared to believe I had bribed them, but I noticed that one of the observers had a small vestige of Power. It was the woman. Heesm was on his knees, still in agony and crying. I Healed his hand with a touch, and took away his pain; I had enough Power, and we needed to be able to escape. He looked up at me in awe - I do not think he had been Healed so much before. These primitive peoples have so much to learn. I said once more, I must speak with the Council of Mages. The woman observer had slipped out while I healed the boy, and, sensing her Power, I took my slave and followed her. We caught up with her standing by a great open arched doorway into what was clearly the main audience chamber. I did not know whether she could speak, but she stood in shadow and this was no time for quietness. I marched past her into the room. At once, all conversation was stilled. A man seated on a raised platform gestured, and guards approached. I decided that something more was needed, and I called down Lightening to strike the first four guards, not dead but into beautiful agony. I drank their pain. I looked up and saw that the rest of the guards had prostrated themselves. I Declaimed loudly that I must see the Council, and this time I solicited a response. The bored official who had gestured for the guards answered: They are nothing. We can answer your questions. Await your turn. I had waited long enough. Men like that need a reminder sometimes, as you know. So I Transplanted the genitals and eyeballs of the four men still in agony at my feet, and placed them on the table in front of the official, one at a time. He looked at them and backed into his chair, and screamed, Evil. That is our father's name, not mine, and for a moment I wondered if he was mistaken. I said, No, my father is Evil. I am Pain, and, as I did so, I delicately Unwound his intestines and pulled them out through his anus. Such pointless and stupid men are a hindrance. We were getting nowhere. I cast about for the Power, and again felt only the woman. She was still hiding by the door. I raised the sword and pointed at her, and said, Approach. She glanced up at the official, who was busy (through no choice of his own) eating the presents I had given him as hastily as he could. Then she spoke softly, and I had underestimated her. The females here are permitted hands and feet, and also retain their minds, it seems. I am Sheema. I can help you. But first you must heal my husband. I had heard the word husband in our histories, for the times when two men decide to stay apart together. It was clear who she meant, and I shrugged and nodded and walked over to him; I beckoned my slave to undress him, and then to shove the innards back inside him; when they were all more or less in the right place, I Healed his body. But he could live with the memory, for it would make him more co-operative in the future. I could tell this. When she saw he was healed, Sheema spoke softly, the voice of one who does not care if she is heard, but who is often overlooked. It is clear that she is the real power in this court. The Council of Mages was officially disbanded when the Old City was destroyed by the Emperor. It no longer exists. Meet me by the Inner Gate at sunset. and she was gone, not I think by the Power but by simple misdirection, yet no less effective. I grasped my slave's chain and we left the Palace. I Send to you now from the outer hall of the Palace while I am yet strong in the Power.
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