Empress Aurora Trilogy Quest For the Kingdom Parts I, II, and III Revised With Index (Quest For the Kingdom Set) (15 page)

The milky orb
spun before him, dazzling in the perfection of its purity. Had he ever beheld
such a thing of perfect beauty?

Marcus watched
as the merchant strung a pearl and set it spinning. It caught the early morning
light which illumined its natural radiance. He caught his breath in sheer
delight. 

How he would
love to surprise Tullia with such a gift! But the only money he had was that
which the Empress had given him for the needs of the journey and the letter of
credit for the purchase of the great Pearl for herself.

The merchant
laughed at the admiration of Marcus. He was clearly amused at the young
foreigner and his interest in his wares. Patiently he answered Marcus’
questions.

“Pearls? Why,
they are the most valuable of all the jewels in Koohyaram. Ah, yes, rubies,
emeralds, sapphires, they sparkle and shine with a brilliance to challenge the
sun. But pearls are far more costly.”

“Why are they
more costly than jewels that shine?” Marcus wanted to know.

“It is because
of how they are obtained, my young foreign friend. Rubies, emeralds, sapphires,
they can be obtained through hard work, yes, by physical labor. One must enter
the caves, the dark places of the earth, and chip away at the rock until it
yields its treasure. But pearls! Ah, that is an entirely different proposition
altogether!

“He who
pursues a pearl does so at his own peril. For he must dive into the depths of
the sea to wrest the pearl from the oyster, who is loath to give it up. But the
battle lies not in the obtaining, but in the search. For there are many dangers
that lurk in the deep for the seeker of treasure.”

“What are
these dangers that you speak of?” Marcus inquired, so fascinated by the
merchant’s talk that he temporarily forgot the urgency of his task.

“One of the
dangers is the Corroca that lie in wait for those who venture to dive in the
waters. It is a fierce and mighty monster, at home on land or in the sea. It is
twenty feet long when full grown, and slinks on four short legs that keep it
close to the ground where it can be overlooked. It can move with a speed
amazing to behold, and is often upon one before it is sighted.

“It has a
long, wide snout with many, many teeth that give it the appearance of an evil
smile. I have been told by those who have seen it that the smile is the most
terrifying aspect of its appearance. It looks at one as if delighting in the
triumph of evil.

“And when it
takes a man in its teeth, it does not let go without a fight to the death.
There have been those who have escaped its clutches and lived to tell of it,
but only because they had another companion with them who beat the creature
off. They did not escape unscathed, however: it is common to lose a leg or an
arm to the Corroca if one does not lose one’s life.

“If one can
make the dive without being sighted by the Corroca, there are still dangers to
be faced. Some pearl waters are home to the Cherak, a creature even more
fearsome than the Corroca. It is in the appearance of a fish, but can reach a
length of thirty feet, possibly more in the ocean depths. Its tremendous jaws
can open wide enough to swallow a man whole. And it has; I heard of one
incident from a diver who saw his partner taken by the beast. He himself swam
for the surface with all the speed he could muster.

“Then there
are the sea snakes, very venomous. One bite from their fangs can bring death in
mere minutes. And there are other strange creatures floating in the deep
waters, beautiful to behold but deadly to encounter, for which no name is
given. One is a kind of mist, so lovely and graceful, with brilliant colors; it
lures the diver closer to examine its beauty. But its kiss produces death.

“But the most
common danger awaits those who dive too deep and too long. There is a
mysterious ailment for such adventurers. Often those who dive the deepest and
longest are prone to experience intense pain as they rise to the surface. Their
bodies double over, and they lose feeling in their limbs. Then they gasp for
air and can find none, even if they reach the surface.

“Far too many
divers for pearls have succumbed to this ailment. Those who survive it are
frequently crippled by the pain. The divers who last the longest are those who
dive with partners for protection from the beasts, and who ascend slowly back
to the world of men. Yet even so, a diver cannot be of use for more than five
years or so because of the toll it takes on the body.

“And that, my
young foreign friend, is why pearls are the costliest of jewels. For no other
gem requires that a man lose or at the very least risk his life to obtain it.”

Marcus stood
in deep silence at the recital. He supposed he had never thought before of what
a man risked to obtain what was after all a mere luxury and not a vital
necessity. And the Pearl that the Empress Aurora desired; what must it have
cost in human lives if it were more valuable than any other?

He turned back
to the merchant.

“You must have
heard many tales of pearls of great value.

Do you know
any that you could entertain me with?” he inquired as he assumed an innocent
smile.

“Ah, yes, there
are many valuable pearls in the world, some more precious than others. There is
the Pearl of Indus, a great gem. It is nine inches in circumference and is said
to rival the moon in its luminous beauty. It is a perfect orb. The Emperor of
Indus gave it as a wedding gift to his bride.

“There is the
Shell of the Southern Sea, so named because it is made of a more translucent
type of pearl than the oyster. It resembles a sea shell in its shape, which is
that of a fan, and is six inches wide. But the beauty of it is its color: the
pale pink of a sunrise at sea. That pearl is possessed by the Monarch of the
Marina Isles. He fancied it as a bauble for his collection of rare and precious
things.

“There is the
mysterious Black Pearl of the Indigo Lagoon. This is a rare black pearl which
was discovered by accident when a casual dive for oysters in an inland lagoon
yielded an amazing find. It is not as large as other pearls of great fame,
being only about three inches in circumference. But it is said to bring a curse
to all who possess it, and indeed there is some cause to believe in such a
tale.

“Many of its
owners have been brought to grief in most peculiar ways. The diver who
discovered it gave it to the master who hired him but as he dove back into the
lagoon to hunt for more oysters, a Corroca lying in wait on the shore attacked
and killed him before anyone spied the danger. The owner of the pearl gave it
to his wife, who died the very night he gave it to her. The master feared the
pearl after the death of his wife and diver, so he sold it in the marketplace
to the highest bidder.

“But the next
owner suffered financial loss when his crops failed. He sold the pearl for
monetary gain. The buyer who acquired it from him was stricken with madness the
day after the sale, and died by his own hand. His son was the new owner, and he
lost two of his children in one day when they were afflicted with a sudden
fever. He is desperately trying to find a buyer, but no one wants the pearl due
to its history of evil.”

The merchant
ended his discourse. Marcus pondered on how to approach the topic of the Pearl
of Great Price. It appeared that the merchant was not aware of it. He decided
to try a direct approach.

“Have you ever
in your travels heard of another Pearl? One so precious that it would cost a
man everything he has, yet is available to any who desire it?”

The merchant
frowned. He looked quizzically at Marcus, as if a new idea had just struck him.
Then he shook his head.

“No, no, I
have never heard of such a pearl. For how can any possess it if it costs
everything one has? A pearl of that value would be priceless, and not all could
afford it.”

“Yes, yes,
that is the very mystery that has puzzled me. Surely a gem so costly could only
be purchased by the very richest,” Marcus hastened to reply.

He wanted to
throw the merchant off the scent and decided another tack to obtain more
information.

“Tell me,
learned merchant, where do the majority of pearls come from?”

The merchant
still eyed Marcus doubtfully, then a smile of dubious sincerity which did not
reach his eyes crossed his face.

“Pearls may
come from many places. But the greatest and most valuable have been found off
the Isles of Solone. There the oysters grow in abundance and reach great size.”

“The Isles of
Solone? I have heard of it. It is part of our Valeriun Empire, although under
its dominion. Long ago it was a center of great learning, where men desired
knowledge above all else. But now it is a mere outpost, one of the provinces.”

“Province or
not, my young foreign friend, that is where the vast majority of great pearls
are found.”

Marcus decided
he would learn no more from the merchant. It was time to terminate the
interview and return to the palace.

He had left
early this morning on the pretext of needing exercise and said a walk would be
most beneficial. To allay suspicion he had requested that Felix remain behind
with the others when he suggested joining him.

Now he turned
to go.

“Wait, my
young foreign friend,” the merchant implored. “Do you see any of my wares that
you care to purchase?”

The eyes that
looked at Marcus from under his brows reminded him of an asp about to strike. A
chill came upon Marcus, warning him of danger.

“No, that is,
I do not have enough money to pay a fair price for your excellent wares. But I
thank your for your time.”

“You are most
welcome, my young foreign friend. And for the information I have given to you.”

And the
merchant smiled slyly into Marcus’ fear-filled eyes.

“Marcus!”

Felix leapt
out from behind the door of his chamber, directly opposite from that of Marcus.
He shot like a deer fleeing the hunter’s bow from his room to Marcus’ and
swiftly closed the door.

“Where have
you been?” he whispered.

“Why are you
whispering?” Marcus asked him.

“Shh! We are
in peril. While you were gone I fell into conversation with one of the
attendants. Well, not much of a conversation, because they don’t speak much
except to say, ‘most honored guest’, every other sentence or so. But I
discovered something. Do you remember how they separated Fanchon from us last
night? And that the Ashkani said the women are quartered separately from the
men? Well, there is a reason why. Our gracious host likes to keep the women
away from the men so he can have his way with them!”

“What?” Marcus
exclaimed. “But that means..” he stopped, unable to speak the thought that was
in his mind.

“It means
Fanchon is in terrible danger!” Felix finished for him. “We must get out of
here at once; before the Ashkani adds her to his collection of beauties!”

“Yes, we must
leave at once, Felix,” Marcus answered.

He then told
Felix of his encounter with the merchant. He feared the merchant saw through
his ruse and might cause trouble.

“We must leave
at once. We must tell the Ashkani that we are grateful for his hospitality, but
our plans have changed and we must continue our journey.”

They searched
for Dag and Cort. They found them exploring one of the main floor rooms of the
palace, examining gold statues, figures of animals carved from ivory, and
curved daggers with jeweled handles displayed in cabinets of dark wood locked
behind glass doors.

Dag seemed
mystified by the precious objects.

“Tell me,” he
inquired. “Why would a man want a knife that is, that is, how do you say,” he
fumbled.

“Pretty. Fit
for a woman,” supplied Cort.

“Thank you,”
Dag patted Cort’s head, who didn’t mind at all. “That is what I meant.”

“In some
cultures it might be for ceremonial purposes, and never meant to be actually
used in battle,” Marcus explained.

“But in Koohyaram
they are so wealthy that they probably think nothing of actually using it,”
Felix commented. “One of the attendants told me this morning that the Ashkani
uses a different set of plate for dinner every night. He has one for each day
of the year, all made of gold, some set with fine jewels, all with a service to
feed one hundred people! A waste, I think,” he lowered his voice as he said
this last.

“Yes, it does
seem that gold could be put to more practical use, such as feeding the poor,”
Marcus agreed.

“Only there
are no poor in Koohyaram,” Felix said. “I do not think poverty is permitted to
enter these walls!”

Marcus sighed
impatiently.

“Dag, our
plans have changed and we must leave at once. We cannot stop a few days to rest
as we intended.”

“But what of
Fanchon and Cort? They need to rest,” Dag protested.

“Dag, it is
because of Fanchon that we must leave at once,” Felix answered.

He then told
Dag the true living arrangements of the women, as told to him by the attendant.
As Felix enlightened him, Dag’s usually placid face took on the look of a
thunder cloud preceding a tempest. 

“Where is this
Ashkani? Where? I will teach him how real men use knives! He will not lay a
hand on a maid once
I
have dealt with him!”

Dag started to
stomp from the room. Marcus grabbed his arm and brought him to a halt.

“No, Dag! We
must not cause trouble. We will simply tell the Ashkani that we are leaving. He
should return Fanchon to us. If he does not, then you may do what you wish to
him. But not until then.”

Dag calmed himself
with an effort. But it was clear to Marcus that the thought of his betrothed in
the hands of the Ashkani made his blood boil.

“All right,”
he scowled. “Let us go to him at once!”

They went back
to their rooms and packed their belongings. Then they made their way to the
throne room where they first met the Ashkani the previous day. He was seated on
the throne, being fanned by one attendant, while another sat below him playing
a stringed instrument.

“Excuse the
interruption, most excellent Ashkani,” Marcus bowed before the astonished
ruler. “Our plans have changed and we must leave at once. We wish to thank you
for your kind hospitality to strangers. It will never be forgotten.”

If a cobra had
suddenly appeared in their midst, slithering around the room before selecting
its victim, it could not have presented a more threatening countenance than
that face which the Ashkani turned to them. His words came out in a hiss of
indignation.

“You wish to
leave so soon? Does our hospitality not please you? Was something lacking in
your welcome?”

“No, no, most
excellent lord,” Marcus protested. “It is just that we are rested and desire to
be on our way. The sooner we leave, the more quickly we will reach our
destination.”

“And what
is
that destination?” the Ashkani snarled. “Some may think our hospitality has
been abused. We took you in although our questions have been left unanswered.”

He stared
without flinching at Marcus, who wavered. It was true that one of the
requirements for receiving hospitality was to be honest with one’s host. It was
a sacred trust, and one not to be broken. But he had no choice to be other than
secretive.

“I did
explain, most excellent lord, that our business is of a personal nature. There
are times when one is bound to secrecy for the sake of another. Then one is not
free to be completely honest.”

The Ashkani
was not appeased with this answer. He continued to stare at Marcus with the
unblinking gaze of a deadly snake.

Marcus
attempted another try.

“We must go.
If you will send for the lady Fanchon we will be on our way.”

The Ashkani
chuckled in a most disagreeable manner. Marcus felt as though an icy finger had
slithered across the nape of his neck. He shuddered.

“Surely the
lady would be more comfortable here. You have a long journey ahead of you. She
may stay as my honored guest and you may take her with you on your return.”

Dag took a
step forward, his hand on his weapons belt. Marcus grabbed his arm and placed
himself in front of Dag and with his back to the Ashkani. He caught Dag’s attention
and mouthed the words “Don’t” then, “Trust me.”

Felix,
meanwhile, in an effort to distract the Ashkani, took a step toward him and
bowed low to the ground. The Ashkani’s gaze was riveted on him, and diverted
from Dag and Marcus.

“Most
excellent lord and gracious host,” he began. “While your generous offer is
appreciated, I am afraid that we can not accept it. The lady Fanchon would be a
dreadful burden to you. You see, I hesitate to say it: she suffers from
madness. I regret to say such a thing of a lady, yet I must.”

“Madness? What
madness?” the Ashkani scoffed. “She seems in excellent health.”

“Nay, most
excellent lord. It is but one of the phases of her illness. She is quiet one
day, then a fey mood will take her, and she begins to dance and cavort and
laugh; over
nothing
! Then she starts to chatter endlessly. She never
stops. Indeed, she wearies one with it. I regret to say such a thing of a lady,
yet I must.”

Marcus
hastened forward to confirm the words of his friend.

“It is true,
most excellent lord, that the lady would be a terrible imposition on your
gracious hospitality. For I also weary of her when she is in a fey mood. It
would be too much to ask to permit you to endure such moods.”

The Ashkani
wavered, looking from Marcus to Felix and back again. Dag remained impassive,
now that he understood the intentions of his friends.

The Ashkani
straightened up and clapped his hands. An attendant entered, his slippers
making no noise on the deep carpet.

“Bring the
lady Fanchon to us. At once,” the Ashkani ordered.

They waited
with increasing anxiety, each wondering what the Ashkani intended.

At last
Fanchon appeared with the girl Yasamana. But Fanchon’s appearance had altered
since last they had seen her. For she was now clad in a similar costume to
Yasamana; knee length tunic, trousers, slippers, and a veil, all in the palest
of rose pink.

Fanchon had
also seemed to lose the awe of her surroundings which had silenced her on the
previous day. For from the moment she entered the room and saw her friends her
tongue was loosed.

“Hel
lo
!
Isn’t my costume just
too
lovely? I simply adore these little slippers,
so much more comfortable than sandals! All those straps to fasten. On the
sandals, I mean, not the slippers; they don’t have any straps, no? And the
veil, so myst
erious
! I don’t like the trousers, though. They don’t fly
out when dancing like a robe does. See?” Fanchon whirled around to demonstrate.
“And you know how I love to whirl and twirl.” She did so again. “Just whirl and
twirl.”

As Fanchon
chattered, laughed and danced through this recital, a disbelieving look slowly
crossed the face of the Ashkani. The disbelief turned to dismay, and dismay to
horror. He quickly put up a hand toward Fanchon, who stopped in mid twirl and
laughed uncertainly.

The Ashkani extended
a hand to Marcus.

“As you were
saying, my most honored guests, it is time you were going on your way. Yasamana
will bring the lady’s belongings, and we will pack a basket of choice foods for
your journey. As you say, the sooner you leave, the more quickly you will reach
your destination.”