Chapter 79: Paper Bird

Chapter 79: Paper Bird

Xerxes and Kashtiliash didnt discuss the matter until they were back at Zaidus tavern, in a corner booth with ales in front of them.

What the hell happened? Kashtiliash said.

Xerxes took a long sip of ale. It was more earthy compared to the ale on Sin-Amuhhu or even Mannemid for that matter, but he didn't care. Your guess is as good as mine.

Probably politics.

What do you mean?

Factions. Scheming. That stuff happens in war.

Xerxes thought about it. The mission did have something to do with nobility. Lets wait until Kat and Dasi get back. They might have found out something else.

They didnt have to wait long. The two women returned less than fifteen minutes later. Spotting Xerxes and Kashtiliash in the booth, they sat.

Did you hear the news? Katayoun asked. About Gandy and the others?

That they got arrested? Xerxes said.

We heard. Katayoun turned and waved at the only waiter on duty. More ale, she said.

We couldnt get any details about the circumstances, Xerxes continued. What about you?

We heard a few different stories, Dasi said. But in all versions, Gandy and Black Jackal ended up captured by loyalists.

Who? Kashtiliash asked.

There are two main factions vying for control of the city, Katayoun explained. The local nobility, headed by Sheik Hatim. And loyalists who side with the Mage Parliament from the capital.

Well shit, Xerxes said. Monsters are raining down from the sky, wiping out entire towns and cities, and theyre sitting around arguing about whos in charge?

Kashtiliash made a spitting sound. Nobles.

Exactly, Dasi said.

The server brought two more ales. Katayoun and Dasi took theirs.

Cheers, Kasthiliash said.

They drank.

Whats worse, Dasi said, is that the city to the north, Eresh, has been written off as lost to the Abhorrent. At least, thats what people are saying. And the mages here havent done jack shit about it. The attacks started in small waves. Then it turned into a tsunami. Some people escaped, but the stream of refugees stopped about two days ago. Now everyones expecting that tsunami to head in this direction.

Xerxes tilted his head. What did you say that city was called?

Eresh.

It triggered a memory for Xerxes.

Just dont forget me on your way back from Puabi, the constable Daniyel had said. That is where youre heading, isnt it?

Were actually traveling to the city of Eresh, Gandash had replied, north of Puabi.

Was it possible the constable Daniyel had been part of it all? Who else had been privy to their travel plans, other than the elite members of the military and the Parliament on Sin-Amuhhu?

What are you thinking? Katayoun asked.

He blinked. Nothing that matters right now. Our next step is obvious. We have to get to Gandash. Any chance you figured out where he is?

Dasi shook her head. Not exactly. But the city is basically split by the river. The west side, which were on, is loyalist territory. The other side is controlled by Sheik Hatim.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

That explains what happened to Gandy, Xerxes said. He went to the main gate just like we did. Which is on the west side of the river. He walked right into loyalist territory. Probably got identified and led into a trap of some sort.

Kashtiliash took a sip of ale, then, keeping his head lowered and voice down, said, We should watch what we say.

Dasi looked furtively out at the common room. Good point.

We still have a few hours left to prowl the streets before the curfew, Xerxes said. Should we go back out and dig for some more information?

I found them.

But now what? Ningsummunu left the window after a few minutes, and after that there wasnt any movement.

Xerxes ordered food and thought as he ate.

An hour later, there still wasnt any movement, and he had no ideas. The server took away his dishes and brought another ale.

Xerxes tapped the table as he eyed the building. The server brought the ale.

Say, Xerxes asked, is there a place around here that sells paper and ink?

Sure, two blocks down.

Hold this table for me, Ill be right back.

You cant just leave.

Right. Here. He threw some minas on the table, plus extra. Is that enough? I want this same table when I get back.

Sure.

Fifteen minutes later, he was back with a few sheets of parchment paper and some writing utensils. Thinking back to the Rabyas classes, he used a simple cipher to encode a message.

Its me, X. Can you get a message to G. Im here with a few others. What can I do?

Taking the paper, he folded it in half, then stuck a narrow piece of sharpened wood in the crease. He also put in a very small packet of dry ink. Then he proceeded to fold the paper several times in a specific way.

This is probably a dumb plan. In fact, I know its dumb.

Sometimes, dumb ideas were the only ones that worked. After finishing the world, he had a small paper bird.

Waiting until the server had left the room, and after making sure no other patrons were watching, he stuck his arm out the window and tossed the bird. Then he prepared to rush down the stairs and out onto the street in case it missed its target.

It flew straight, then veered to the left.

Shit.

A gust of wind spun it to the right. It reached the window, going right through the bars.

I cant believe it worked. Seriously.

A moment later, Ningsummunus face appeared. Xerxes put his hand out the window with two fingers raised. The Sin-Masu mage saw him and nodded.

Then Xerxes waited.

The server came back a few minutes later.

Found the paper, I see, he said.

Oh yeah, Xerxes said. Im just in the mood for poetry. Could I have one last ale?

Sure.

The server left, and Xerxes scratched a line of poetry onto the paper that he remembered from classes on Sin-Amuhhu.

Minutes ticked by.

And then a paper bird flew out of the window across the street. The wind caught it, and it fell to the pavement below.

Shit.

He got to his feet and was leaving just as the server returned with another ale.

Sir? the server said.

Uh. Xerxes paused, grabbed some minas and handed them to the server. Put it on my table. Ill be back in a few minutes.

He ran down the stairs.