[1] A figure, barely visible
As they approached the tents.
Her cloak and headscarf billowed hard.
The wind appeared incensed.
[2] She clutched in hand a leather bag
A satchel filled to burst.
And staggered through the waves of sand
To reach the shelter first.
[3] The guards bowed out of guardhouse
And asked the stranger where
And why they looked to come this way
And if they’d stay long there.
[4] “Imperial business," said a voice
Calm despite the questions.
They handed over several notes
That would serve as distractions.
[5] Safely sheltered from the storm.
They ducked behind a column
And pulled the scarf down from her face.
A face most thought was rotten.
[6] Tremendous scars ran up her face
From cheeks to her hairline.
The rub of cloth across the cracks
Were painful every time.
[7] In front was a kaleidoscope
Of brightly coloured men
A rainbow of alliances
And swords to govern them.
[8] Horse lords, merchantmen, and dwarves
From Volca to the Sea.
Dignitaries from Lattenfluss
And slaves from Drummerdy.
[9] Although most travellers would be
Bewildered and unsure.
To navigate a gathering
Had never been a chore.
[10] And though the throng was numerous,
The woman found a path.
Despite the noise, despite the heat
She found the Orthic heart.
[11] An Orthic tent, coloured with red
And gold around the seams.
Guarded by two grim soldiers with
Such sweat that ran in streams.
[12] She knew to wait until their break
Before she headed in.
No witnesses, as usual
Nobody there to scream.
[13] Once the heat had grown too much
And they had left their post,
The woman slipped into the tent
Almost unseen. Almost.
[14] Inside the tent, a welcome space
Of cool and pleasant air.
Two pots of water mocked the vase
Of flowers, which despaired.
[15] A broad and wooden bed was there
Quite opulent in look.
Such effort must the men have made
To bring what they had took.
[16] And in the centre of the space
On top of sequined rug
A wide, map-laden tabletop.
A handled, wine-filled mug.
[17] From what she guessed the map suggests
Invasions of the West.
From what she saw ‘twas little thought
For peasants and the rest.
[18] But truth be learned the woman turned
Her back against it all
And from her satchel took an orb
Well-polished, black, and small.
[19] Inside the orb, if you had looked
Was swirling, turning smoke.
So much contained inside the ball,
Enough to make it choke.
[20] The woman threw it up and caught
It in her clever hands.
With one examination of
The room, she made a plan.
[21] The bed would do, at night he would
Return and think him safe.
He’d take off all his fancy clothes
No longer would they chafe.
[22] Then when under the covers he
Would roll and toss and turn
Until the orb made contact.
His final payment earned.
[23] She held the key and wound the lock
Until it was prepared.
But from outside the tent she heard
The sound of laughter flare.
[24] The giggling of figures who
Should know better than that
Were edging nearer to the tent
And to the woman’s trap.
[25] But she was still inside, and still
Beside the target’s bed.
So hastily she hid the orb and
And grabbed her bag instead.
[26] With one last placement of a note
She dipped out the front door
And made a show of disconnection
From the tent, before
[27] She ducked her head and pulled her cloak
Around herself to hide
From anyone discovering
Their privacy denied.
[28] She slipped out just in time to spy
A sodden diplomat
Supported by two guards and then
A third one at the back.
[29] “Oi! What you think you’re doing here?”
The last one grabbed her arm.
“What business do you have to share?
Or do you mean us harm?”
[30] “No sir,” she said without a pause,
“it’s just that I was sent
“By members of the Conclave to
Ambassador Janus’ tent.”
[31] The giggling Janus overheard
and whooped, “that’s me! I’m him!”
The suffering guards continued on.
The bed they’d put him in.
[32] “The ambassador is, ah...indisposed
Right now. So, what is it?
“You have something to share with him
You’ll share it with me quick.”
[33] “Umm...sir,” the woman feigned again
“It’s already inside.
“Apologies but nobody
Was here when I arrived.
[34] “I left it on the table,
There’s a note for you to read.
‘Twas meant for master Janus
But maybe you’ll read instead.”
[35] The guard had barely time to register
What had been told
Before the woman slipped his grip
And through to the crowd she strolled.
[36] When she was out of eyeshot the
Guard rejoined the group.
The ambassador let his men
Unclothe him head to boot.
[37] And whilst they did so, on the desk
The guard noticed the note.
It had no signet on the wax,
And in the note was wrote:
[38] To Ambassador Janus.
Tallo does not forget.
For wasting all our children’s blood
You’ll have no more regret.
[39] Just as he finished reading,
“What’s this? A funny orb?
I don’t remember owning this -”
Then out all the smoke poured.
[40] To people in the makeshift town
All that they understood
Was one moment a tent was there
The next a pilar stood.
[41] A pillar of black flame ascended
Far into the sky.
It even stopped the sandstorm for
A second, then it died.
[42] The flames and smoke were gathered up
Back into the small orb.
It steamed atop the dusty ground
And rocked from south to north.
[43] Meanwhile, the woman slipped back out
And went into the sand.
She fixed her headscarf back in place
And left that horrid land.
[44] Later, inside of Tallo’s hall
She met the ruling Thane.
She took his gold and left the town
And was never seen again.