Episode LXXXVIII - Questions and Deliberations

"This is indeed very serious," the Kahn mused, stroking his chin with manicured fingers.  "My brother has always been troublesome, I won't deny it, but I never thought he'd be the kind to get involved in some sort of... cult.  Do you really believe this threatens the world, though, Franck?  The cult is madness and bad news for Shadedstreams, of that I have no doubt, but there's no risk of Lakhma being brought back, is there?"

"There is every danger, Irfan.  Every danger imaginable.  People have been whispering about Lakhma's return for centuries, my own family has been involved more than once and, whilst I do not share the views of most of my ancestors and relatives, I have maintained an interest in Lakhma cults and their methods.  I am quite sure that bringing that monstrosity back into Shadow would require less effort than you might think, especially with the considerable resources of Shadedstreams at their disposal.  I imagine they'll have their gaze set firmly here, though.  You were always less susceptible than your brother, but your power has always been greater also and thus, I would imagine, more desirable."

"I need to think about this.  I'll have some servants take you to the guest quarters and I shall call on you if I need you."  He turned to his niece, "Nadiyya, please stay here.  I want to know more about what your father and this Red Wizard of his have been up to.  I need to know everything!"

Ellis, Franck and Gulliver were led away by some guards and met by a pair of liveried servants wearing elaborate turbans and complex smiles.  Ellis couldn't quite be sure whether they were being friendly or merely tolerating them, but they led them out, along corridors and up stairs, to a series of well appointed guest apartments somewhere at the back of the palace where windows and balconies overlooked the gardens.

Once the three of them were settled in a sitting room awaiting the arrival of some tea at the request of the Former Baron, Ellis felt it was time to ask some much-needed questions, although there were so many he wasn't sure where to begin.

Lakhma, he thought, start with Lakhma.

"I've heard mention of this Lakhma a few times before.  Who, or what, is it?"

The Former Baron frowned, his liver-spotted forehead creasing, and he clenched his hands as he spoke.

"Lakhma represents some of what must be the darkest times in all of Shadow's known history, when every form of life in the city was enslaved to one hideous divine ruler.  Lakhma is a god, or as close to one as this old Philosopher has ever heard of; a being of immense power and influence from somewhere out beyond the Aether.  Several times Lakhma has broken into our world, or been summoned here and each time he/she/it has brought devastation and cruelty unmatched by any other creature.  The last time was about a thousand years ago and, when the revolution came which overthrew her, many believed it would never be seen again."

"But you don't believe that?"

"No.  I believe that he waits on the other side of the door even now and that her servants are amassing in all the dark corners of the world, gaining influence and putting the pieces into place for another reign of terror to strike the city.  I believe that is happening as we speak and that we need to act as soon as possible, but we'll need Irfan's help.  We'll need the Ember."

"That's my other question.  What is this Ember and why did you need it in the first place?"

"The Ember is... difficult to describe or explain.  It is an ancient artefact of unknown origin which has passed from one family to the next for the last several thousand years at least.  Most recently it has belonged to Irfan's family and has been considered as the sole property of whoever happens to be Kahn at the time.  It is very powerful, but fickle and inconsistent.  The claims made about it throughout history are often contradictory, with some saying it did one thing whilst another source will say that it had quite the opposite function.  In Searingsands it is used to bring great wealth to the district and to defend the region from Stoneskins and other terrors."

"But there are still poor people in the district and where we're staying isn't much better than a slum."

"I didn't say it was used wisely, or for the good of all, but certainly, in spite of the poverty of many, Searingsands is one of the wealthiest, most prosperous and above all else safest districts in Shadow and that is all thanks to the Ember."

"So why did you need it?"

"It was the only thing left that I could think of that might help our Fallen friend.  If even the apparently limitless power in your amulet isn't helping him then it would seem that nothing can, and yet, the Ember is something quite different.  Perhaps, just maybe, it is what he needs."

“But if this Lakhma thing is really happening…?”

“Then perhaps Irfan needs it more?”  The Former Baron’s frown deepened, “Or perhaps Broken-Hope, restored to his full strength could help us.  The Fallen served Lakhma once, you know, or at least some of them did.”

The door to the sitting room opened and another servant appeared carrying a tray of tea.  As soon as he saw it approaching the Former Baron’s expression changed completely.  Suddenly he looked cheerful and invigorated.  He clapped his hands and rose to help received the tea tray, setting it down on the table in front of them before the servant could protest and then ushering the confused and turbaned young man out of the room.

“Well,” he said once they were alone again, “there’s no point speculating at this stage.  I propose we drink our tea and then have some much-needed sleep until Irfan finishes his deliberations.”

“‘Ear ‘ear.” Gulliver replied sullenly.  It was the first thing he had said in some time.

Once tea was finished they each found themselves a separate room in the guest apartments.  Ellis’ room was extremely well appointed, but he was far too tired to enjoy it very much.  He merely stripped to a comfortable level of dishabille, slipped beneath the cool silk sheets and was asleep in moments.

They were all awoken early in the morning, sometime after dawn, by a small army of servants who had them all washed, dressed and breakfasted in a worryingly short time and they were soon on their way back to the Kahn’s antechamber to await his decision.

The Kahn himself still looked very troubled as did Nadia who stood beside him.  Ellis could almost believe that they had not moved since last he saw them, but they were both wearing different sets of clothes, so he had to assume they had managed some rest.

“We talked about the problem in Shadedstreams for some time and came to the conclusion that something must be done,” the Kahn began with no preamble.  “We must send a party to the district to find out what’s happening and, in case my brother is as mad as he sounds, they need to be inconspicuous, which with the embargoes on trade and travel between our two districts at the moment will be quite difficult.  It pains me to ask this of you, but we need to pool our resources as much as we can for this and, I suppose, if this works out you may be given some limited access to the Ember for your troubles.  Do you have a plan?”

The Former Baron smiled a thin, clever smile.  “Yes,” he said, “as a matter of fact I do, but you’re not going to like it.”

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