"Of Humans and Elves, Part 12" by Ben Cameron

Of Politics and Politics

      Terraic led Inari unhesitatingly through to a courtyard, each of its four sides surrounded by houses.  The stench of sewage floated through the air from a nearby clogged drainpipe.

      “Terraic, what are we doing here?”

      “Buying ourselves some time.  More specifically, we’re here to see Sheng Wild, who should be able to buy us some time.”

      To Inari, the house looked no different from the others in the deserted square.  Certainly, it was as dilapidated as the others.  The only distinction, Inari noted, was a young man laying asleep in a chair near the door.

      Still, Terraic moved straight ahead to the steps.  Neither moving, nor opening an eye, the young man spoke.  “You’re trespassing on private property.”

      Terraic merely ascended the stairs.  “And what’s a man with your enhancements doing in this part of town, hmm?  Tell Wild it’s Terraic.”

      The man nodded absently.  “Wait here.”

      To her surprise, he remained seated.  Inari nudged Terraic.  “Why isn’t he moving?”  After a moment, she added: “How did he know to speak Ishtarian?”

      “Didn’t you hear me mention his enhancements?  But even without those, he could tell we’re not from Sanctum; our skin colour gives us away.”

      Inari looked intently at the sleeping man.  Perhaps the poor light was to blame, but the air around him seemed to be blurred.

      “Had a good look, missie?”  The young man spoke again.

      Inari jumped guiltily and stared at her feet.

      They didn’t have to wait much longer before a woman, wearing a lavish dress entirely unbefitting of the surroundings, opened the door and curtly motioned them inside.

      Inside, the smell of sewerage faded out behind finely finished wood panelling and elegant hangings.  The lady led them upstairs, past portraits the like of those at the Summer Palace, and to a landing.

      “Please, go inside.”  She gestured to the closed door.

      Terraic pushed it open and stepped in, followed by Inari.  Inside, a mahogany desk took central command of the room.  A small, glowing ball was suspended directly above the desk, providing enough light to see the plush decorations.

      A man dressed in a fine suit entered from a side door behind the desk.  More solid than the Syracuseans Inari had seen so far, he moved quickly and surely towards them.

      Inari stepped forward.  “Mr. Sheng, it’s an honour to meet you.”

      The man halted.

       “Mr. Sheng?”  Inari spoke again, this time less sure of herself.  The man had obviously caught the reference to ‘Sheng’, but not much else.  Behind her, Terraic gave a small cough.

      He leaned over to her ear.  “Sheng’s a woman, Inari.”

      Inari’s face turned a strange shade of pink.

      Taking control, Terraic stepped forward and started speaking.  The man visibly relaxed and spoke back.

      “He wants any weapons we’re carrying.  I said we didn’t have any, but he says he has to check anyway.”

      Inari nodded, then turned to Terraic while being frisked.  “You made me look like a fool.”

       “Hardly, Inari.  You did that yourself.”

      Inari just turned aside and refused to look at Terraic.  He laughed.

      “Don’t worry about it Inari, most people jump to the same conclusion before meeting Sheng, but you’re lucky the guard didn’t understand you.  Ishtarian may generally be the language of criminals here, but Wild likes employing a few who can’t understand what’s going on.”

      Inari stared at him, lacking a response.  When Sheng Wild did actually enter, it was with a face flushed with embarrassment that Inari looked at her.  Even so, she caught her breath.

      Sheng moved with a grace that few even at court, possessed.  She almost danced into the room with a twirl of black satin that exquisitely accentuated her pale skin.  That contrast seemed a recurrent element within Sheng: against her noble dress lay a rapier, its silver hilt unadorned by weighty jewels; beautifully carved, but functional.

      “Terraic!  How long is it since we last met?”

      “Many a year.” Terraic hugged and kissed her lightly on the cheek.  “You certainly weren’t wearing these clothes when I last saw you.”  He drew back, taking a full look at her.  “You’ve done well for yourself.”

      “The years have been kind.  The cartels like my connections and the government likes the criminals I bring in that cross me.  And I like the money they both pay.  Nor does it hurt that Sanctum’s laws have a few profitable loopholes in them.”  She winked again, as though sitting with fellow conspirators.  “And may I enquire to your lady’s name?  I do hope you haven’t taken to those beneath your age; it would belittle you.”

      “Indeed not.”  Inari spoke up.  “Inari Soleil, princess of Ishtar.”

      “You tempt me, Terraic.  She’d be an invaluable catch to hand into the authorities.”

      Inari caught her breath, and Sheng laughed at her reaction.

       “But, I’ll forget business for the time.  The pleasure is mine, Inari Soleil, princess of Ishtar.  Now,” she turned back to Terraic.  “I’d hazard my guess that you’re here because something went wrong with the Assembly.”

      “Your informants have yet to fail you.” 

      “Which means you want help with what went wrong.”

      “And your intuition is as strong as ever.”

       “Save your silver-tongue for those who’ll fall for your greying hair, Terraic.  What exactly do you want?”

      Terraic counted them off on his fingers.  “Time and a tutor for a young elementalist.  And official passage for us to stay, if possible.”

      Sheng whistled.  “You ask a lot.  I don’t know if it’s possible.”  She drummed her fingers on the table, thinking.  “Come, buy me a drink – we can discuss the details and you can remind me why I should do this for you.”

~ * ~ * ~

       “It might just be possible, you know.”  The shouts of men and chink of glasses flooded the air around them, as though sound was somehow making up for the lack of light.  Inari glanced around her, not for the first time; it was far from a reputable location.

       “If I were to scuttle your boat -”

       “Hold on, Dakan would keel-haul you if you damage his Akkadian.”

      She laughed.  “He wouldn’t be able to find me here.”

       “Well, then he’d keel-haul me for letting you.”

       “That could make it worth it, you know?”  She grinned.  “But you don’t trust me enough – my men know how to scuttle a boat properly.  It’ll be sea-worthy again, no worries about that, it could just take a month.”

      Terraic nodded.  “We’ll need longer than that, though.”

       “But it’ll buy us time to get approval from the Assembly.”

       “We’ve already tried that!”  Inari said.  “If you had a king…or queen,” she added, seeing Sheng’s face, “It would be no problem.  Something mutually beneficial could be worked out.  But your politics…”

       “Well, there’s politics.  And then there’s politics.  Personally, I prefer the latter, it’s much more predictable.  Mind you, Terraic, it’ll cost you.  I’ll have to call in a rather valuable favour, more specifically one Councillor who’s daughter I rescued from a rather embarrassing situation.”

       “And our past history isn’t enough to cover the expenses?  Who was it again that rescued you last time I was here?”

      Sheng signalled to one of the barmaids for another pitcher of ale.  In the time it took to get there, the three sat in silence: one thinking and the other two waiting for an answer.

      Whilst bending down to give Sheng the pitcher, the barmaid gave her hips a sultry sway in Terraic’s general direction.

       “Oy!” Sheng drew a dagger faster than Inari could follow and slapped the barmaid with the flat of the blade.  “He’s with me.”

      Stopped in mid-swing, the wench turned to Sheng, one hand clutched to her posterior.

       “If he chooses to watch, that’s no one’s fault but yours.”  Her eyes narrowed in the smoky bar.  She turned and moved closer to Terraic, “If you ever want business, you know where to find me.  I promise it’ll be better than what she has to offer.”

      Three things happened at once: Inari choked at the brazen words, Terraic turned away from the barmaid and Sheng leapt up to press a dagger against the barmaid’s throat.

      The tray she’d been holding dropped to the ground, shattering the glasses and splashing beer across patron’s feet.  All movement in the bar stopped and everyone stared at the two women, before crowding around to enjoy the entertainment.

       “Maybe you know me,” Sheng whispered into the barmaid’s ear, “Maybe not.  Either way, I know you now.  Insult me like that again and this dagger will taste your blood.”

      Sheng released her hold, dropping the barmaid to the ground amidst the beer.  “It’s time we left – we need to go to the Assembly.”  Apparently, she’d made her mind up.

      A small smile on his face, Terraic stood, extended an arm to Inari and together they followed Sheng outside.

~ * ~ * ~

      Led by Sheng, the streets were a decidedly easier place to navigate, so much so that Inari could glace around her as they walked.  The curious intermingled magic and architecture that was Sanctum baffled her.  How was it all possible?

      Globes of light floated in the streets, lighting those few areas hidden from Sanctum’s roof.  Bizarre impossibilities of buildings hung over narrow streets and though they seemed liable to collapse on her head at any moment, the mix-match of building and magic gave Sanctum it’s own charm.

      Then there were the creatures.  Horned creatures laden with scales that reached to her waist pulled carts through the streets.  More of the durnets flung themselves dangerously through the open spaces above and, now that she had a chance to look closely, wisps of light floated through the air between buildings.

      For the second time in two days, Inari found herself outside the Assembly.  She couldn’t help comparing it with Ishtar’s Summer Palace.  Despite its immensity, the Assembly just couldn’t compare with the architectural beauty and stunning scenery that was the palace.

      Sheng led them straight up between the daily passage in and out of the governmental centre of Sanctum and through the stone doors, wide open during the day.

      Stepping through into the Assembly, Inari was forced to change her mind.  Sanctum’s light speared through the stained-glass dome in a shaft of light focused directly on the mosaicked floor, imbuing the detailed serpent with an essence that almost brought it to life.

      Coupled with the black marble pillars that surrounded the chamber that contrasted with the brilliant colours that played in the centre, the entire effect was stunning.

      Inari guessed that was the intended effect, and while it rendered her speechless, Terraic and Sheng walked on without hesitation.

      One of the guards stationed in one of the alcoves around the chambers walked forward.  “Those two aren’t allowed here.  Take them outside, or we’ll be forced to escort all of you out.”

      Sheng ignored the command.  “We need to speak with Councillor Estarn.”

      “I’m sorry, Ma’am, but we have clear instructions.  They are not allowed outside of their house except to buy food.”  The guard stood firm against Sheng’s eyes.

      “We need to speak with Councillor Estarn.  Kindly tell her that Sheng Wild wants to speak with her and I’m sure she’ll revoke your instructions, at least for the present.”

      He bowed slightly to Sheng and walked away whilst another guard took his place.

      “Why is the Assembly not gathered today?”  Inari gestured to the empty rows overlooking the chamber.

      “They only gather at night, to avoid the disturbances of the day, but they can be contacted on an individual basis if necessary.”

      After some few minutes, the guard returned and without speaking a word, led the three of them out of the main chamber and down a corridor.  The corridors weren’t nearly as bright, yet Inari found the smoothed stone walls and soft, glowing lights charming.

      The guard stopped outside an unmarked door, bowed stiffly and walked off without a word.

      Sheng knocked and opened the door herself without waiting for a response.  Seated beneath a lamp studying one tome of the many that lay on her desk was a woman Inari presumed to be Councillor Estarn, though she refrained from any comment – she wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice.

      The councillor turned and stood, brushing her robes in a motion of distaste to Inari and Terraic.  “What’s the meaning of bringing these…these people here?”

      Terraic stepped forward, but Sheng motioned him aside.  “We seek a reversal of the Assembly’s decision.”

      Councillor Estarn shook her head.  “The Assembly’s already decided they’d be too great of a risk to allow them to stay.”

      “I will vouch for their innocence and the safeguard of Sanctum for the Akkadian to stay in port for as long as necessary.”

      “That’s impossible, Sheng.  As much as you’d like to, there’s nothing that can be done.”

      “And how’s your daughter, Councillor Estarn?  She hasn’t met any new men lately, has she?”

      Estarn blanched slightly.  “Blackmail won’t help Sheng.  Even if I wanted to, there’s nothing that can be done.”

      Inari looked to Terraic questioningly whilst Sheng nodded to herself.  “You’re probably right that blackmail won’t help.  I’m sorry to have brought it up.”

      She turned, her elegant black dress shining in the light.  Her hand leapt to the hilt of her rapier and she spun back, tempered metal striking against its casing.  Before the lengths of her dress had settled, the blade’s tip was against Estarn’s still throat.

      “Do you think it might help if we used your life?”

      The councillor, eyes wide with fear, gave the briefest nod.  She drew in a sudden breath as Sheng dropped her blade.

      “Very good, councillor.  And that, Inari,” Sheng sheathed her blade, “is politics.  I believe we’re settled now, Terraic?  It was a pleasure doing business.”