Chapter 33
Promise in a Pearl
Hannibal Castle, Kingdom of Hannibal
"The mission to Inoon was a success, my lord," the herald said. "The island has been thoroughly despoiled. Some eight hundred souls have been carried off as slaves along with a wealth of pearls and dyed fabrics and whatever articles of gold, silver and bronze that could be found. Captains Tyrus and Sidonia will be coming to present the spoils to Her Majesty and offer up their tribute to her, and to you, my lord."
"Was their king taken alive or dead?" Lord Bannon asked.
"It would seem that the King and a number of his followers took their own lives rather than be killed or captured, my lord. All the captives would say is that they had 'entered into the Lord Dagon's embrace', which is apparently their expression for drowning. It appears that they weighed down their bodies so that we might not recover them."
Lord Bannon crossed his arms and frowned in discontent.
"I was hoping that Captain Tyrus would bring the false king's head as the first of his tribute to Her Majesty. He would do well to pray to the gods of his choice that she will be satisfied with his offerings."
The herald said nothing to this. A wise herald knew when to remain silent.
"If everyone has either been killed or carried off, then none are left to harvest the indigo or the pearls that Inoon is know for," Lord Bannon mused to himself.
Still the herald kept silent. A man like Lord Bannon had no interest in the unbidden opinion of a lowly footsoldier.
"Perhaps I will suggest it to Her Majesty. We can put the slaves to good use and making a fief of the island could offer an enticing treat to one who serves her well."
The herald may as well have not been there and it only took a moment for Lord Bannon to conclude the same.
"You are dismissed," he said. "Remind Captain Tyrus that the very best must be offered to Her Majesty. I trust there would be no deception in the division of the spoils. It would be unfortunate if I needed to suggest to Lord Morten to send an auditor to Fort Preya."
"Yes, my lord," the herald replied. It was all he needed to say and nothing more. He saluted. "Hail Hannibal!"
Lord Bannon returned the salute.
"Hail Hannibal."
And with that, the herald withdrew. Ordinarily, heralds might make use of the barracks to rest before making the return journey or perhaps stop by the makeshift tavern by the docks for a drink or two. However, this herald had another purpose.
His eye was drawn to a servant replacing the tapers in the sconces on the walls of the hallway. The servant noticed he was being watched, but only betrayed it with a brief glance. He continued his work until he reached the door to a side chamber and went in. The herald followed.
The chamber was a little storeroom for spare linens with barely enough room for one man to stand, much less two.
"From the waters all life has come," the servant said.
"To the waters all life will return," the herald replied.
The two men did not need the passphrase to recognize each other. Rather, it was a code for brevity's sake. Neither would have to waste any time on explanations. The most important details were already conveyed. Because of this, the herald felt he could afford to be a little sociable.
"What are you calling yourself these days, Demar?" he asked.
"I go by Zelos here," the servant replied. "More importantly than that, do you have it?"
"I've got it right here," the herald said.
From under his tunic he pulled out a pouch on a leather thong and handed it to the servant. The servant opened the pouch to examine the contents. He withdrew his hand into his sleeve so that he would not touch the string of pearls with his bare skin, then promptly returned the pearls to the pouch and hid it under his own tunic.
"It all rests with you now... Zelos," the herald said.
"The time draws near," the servant said. "They are waiting for something, but it seems like it will be in their hands soon."
"Who would've thought it'd turn out like this?" the herald said. "We were sent out among these vipers that we would know our enemy, defend our homeland and her people..."
The servant patted the pouch under his tunic and replied, "We are defending them, not against these snakes in the grass but rather a ravening Dragon. No, something even worse than that..."
"We've all been touched by the oracle," the herald said. "It's brought us this far. We just have to see our task through to the end."
"Leave that to me."
The herald managed a grin and said, "That's what I said, wasn't it?"
"I suppose you did."
The herald rested his hand on the servant's shoulder.
"May the blessings of our Lord Dagon and the Lady of Light go with you."
"And with you as well," the servant replied.
What should have been an elegant parting was spoiled when the herald stared at the servant blankly for a moment, then said, "I guess I should go first."
"That would be best."
"You take care of yourself."
"You too."
The herald then exited the chamber, peeking out to look up and down the hall for anyone who might take notice of his suspicious actions. Fortunately, there was no one. He could carry on and the men of Hannibal would be none the wiser.
Though his part in the greater mission was complete, there was still work to be done. Until death claimed him, he was the eyes and ears of the King. The day would come when Inoon would rise again and he hoped to play at least a small role in that. If Demar did his part, they would at least be assured a tomorrow for that revival to happen.