XXX. SAIS-EIT THE HEARTREADER

  After the welcome physical exertion of loading another trireme full of tribute bound for Aegtrys; Admrilia Hortus Ashiphiex had to finally admit to herself that she was no closer to uncovering the Ten. Her window to find answers was narrowing with each passing day. The Pontus had already set sail days ago for Di-Fi’s port down the coastline and up north, the Triumph would be preparing their march south through the Dunelands.

  If Alexandros and Flavius sensed her dangerously foul mood, they had enough wits to not remark on it as Admrilia led them up the harbor. Her clothes were covered in a thick layer of sweat, and she was already aching for a swim to wash off the oppressive heat of the desert. As they walked, trade ships from Pi-Yenja and Sugia were already unloading the day’s load of pottery, grain, and cattle. The constant berthing and sailaways of Ash-Kai’s port only sullied Admrilia’s mood further. She was no closer to solving Legate Xur’s murder, and at this rate, likely never would. The prospect of returning to the Conqueror with only failure to offer…

  Admrilia banished the thought. She was the Argenti, the prodigal daughter of the Ashenian Empire, no rebel would be free from her vengeance once she knew where to point her spear. Currently, her spear bade her west towards De-Asha and Anu-Uro-Set. If Admrilia could find the star the Conqueror desperately sought, the throne would be hers. But the risk was equally as perilous as the reward. If she failed…

  Admrilia bit the inside of her cheek. The Argenti didn’t fail.

  Yet, Asho had months she didn’t to earn the favor of the Conqueror. Months she had lost due to the failing mission to find Xur’s murderers. If Asho was chosen by the Conqueror, could she, would she dispute the choice? Besides, Asho had declared her his rival in Kinos, there was no going back for them, regardless of the Conqueror’s choice.

  Admrilia had been too much of a prized pupil to know the history of civil war was likely. If civil war broke out, Ironore and Kinos would back Asho, as would Aegtrys — the senators and elite backing the son of the man who had saved the empire.

  Which left her with Ker. Her mother’s homeland, ravaged by war and genocide. Much as Admrilia was loath to admit it to a living soul, she was developing a begrudging fondness for her mother’s family. Her uncles were informed on all matters of history, culture, and politics. Her younger cousins polite and appropriately fearful. Ibi-Kai attended to her every whim; and Wyn-Kai had a powerful, far reaching, intellect. Admrilia knew in her heart that Wyn-Kai the betrayer would back her bid for the Ashenian throne, but would the rest of the Houses follow?

  They’d be just as likely to stab you in the back, Admrilia. Just get the gods’ damned star and you won’t have to worry about it.

  Decision made, Admrilia resolved to inform her council and Wyn-Kai that they would push onward to De-Asha. Certainly Advisor Clavo would agree with his son’s life hanging in the balance, and Khispen was too subservient to really object.

  Mood improved, Admrilia guided her neptori towards the street stalls that crowded the shoreline. She made a middle-aged vendor’s life by ordering some beef skewers. Alexandros’ brown eyes were filled with a silent plea and Admrilia quickly doubled her order. The merchant refused her payment, and they quickly carried their food over to the shade.

  Admrilia’s teeth tore into the tender beef, her taste buds appreciating the thick tangy sauce and hot pepper. She polished off the skewer and grunted her appreciation. “Go get another three, no wait, make it five more.”

  “You eat like a man.” Flavius grumbled as he rose.

  Alexandros belched and wiped his mouth. “No, she doesn’t.”

  “You wager yourself a competition?” Admrilia asked haughtily.

  “Only competitions I can win, Argenti.” Alexandros said with a glint in his eye.

  Admrilia was about to respond when she noticed the storefront across the street. The glyph was faint on the shop’s door frame, but from her angle it almost appealed to be the half profile of the Lady of the Dunes. “I’ll be right back.” Alexandros, the loyal guard he was, got up and followed her paces behind. Admrilia pulled back the beaded curtain into the dim shop. The shop was musky, reeking of wet earth and opium. A muscular older woman with her hair braided tall atop her skull narrowed golden eyes. “Welcome in.”

  Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

  “What are you selling here auntie?” Admrilia asked, switching to kiyr.

  The shopkeeper ran her hands together from behind the tall bench. “Maps, close and near to the heart.”

  A mapmaker? How… odd. Admrilia tilted her head to the side, doing her best to appear non threatening. “How interesting, may I?”

  “Come, come.” The shopkeeper waved her forward. Admrilia walked over to the bench and stiffened as the woman grabbed her wrist. She was unused to people touching her, as most would never dare. “I am Sais-Eit.” The woman said as she unfurled her clenched palm. “The Goddess has blessed me with the gift as my mother and her mother before her.” Sais-Eit ran a dirty index finger along the crease of Admrilia’s palm to her thumb. “This line here ends abruptly. It tells me that you had a passionate, short lived first love, doomed from the start.” Admrilia’s mask slammed into place as the woman’s nail traced along the seam to her index finger. “And this line here, ah, I see it now. You shall have another, fiery love. It will cleave you in two and meld you back together anew.”

  “That’s enough.” Admrilia wrenched her hand away. Her cheeks felt hot as she began backing out of the shop.

  “What? Do you not want to learn of your future lover?”

  “Stormlord below, no.”

  Admrilia bolted from the shop as Sais-Eit called out. “Thank you for your visit, Princess Admrilia.”

  Her cheeks flamed. Alexandros kicked off the wall where he had been waiting. “Why do you look as if you just saw the Maiden herself?” He asked.

  “I thought she was a mapmaker.”

  “Truly?” Flavius asked. He offered her a beef skewer and Admrilia waved it away. “Was she?”

  “Of heart maps, Flavius.”

  His eyebrows bounced. “Wait, what? Did she?”

  Could her face possibly burn hotter? “I will not discuss this with either of you.”

  Alexandros elbowed Flavius, and the pair exchanged a knowing look, communicating in that silent way of theirs. Admrilia tampered down the flare of loneliness that hit her when they did so, walking up the hill towards the Kai’s estate. The further away she could be from Sias-Eit, the better.

  Two days later, Admrilia Hortus Ashiphiex had completely nested in the Governor’s private library. The collection of tables and chairs that her council had taken up residence had been converted into a war room of maps, missives, and papyrus strewn across all surfaces. With her decision made, they needed all the knowledge they could possibly cultivate in the hunt for the star. As Admrilia had suspected, Advisor Clavo had been quick to bend to her new demands to push for De-Asha.

  “G.V.F.” Admrilia held up the papyrus that Hubei-Kai, Wyn-Kai’s brother, had passed her. “Who is this?”

  “Legate Fillium.” Hubei-Kai explained. “He recently purchased a map, and the guidance of our House’s scholars, to guide his party from De-Anu to De-Asha.”

  Admrilia had learned that House Kai made a significant portion of their wealth selling access to Ker. They sold to merchants, to the military, and even the Triumph for the ability to navigate the hazardous Dunelands. Admrilia set down the receipt. Legate Fillium had paid 1000 gold pieces for the map. “I fail to see what is so suspicious about the transaction.”

  Hubei-Kai nodded. “As did I, until I asked a clerk of mine to pull the receipts. Legate Fillum recently purchased maps to De-Jax, and De -Urs.”

  “He has no business going north.” Advisor Khispen piped up from a nearby table.

  “Exactly.”

  Admrilia glanced down at the gigantic map she had been studying. A copy of the master that had been sent North for the anticipation of the Conqueror’s arrival. The map sprawled the entire Territory of Ker. She noted how the Kerxa branched southwest towards their destination. The river would not be deep enough for the first neptor’s triremes, forcing their party to take barges instead. Admrilia did not envy Khispen who had the unfortunate logistical nightmare of transporting their neptori and supplies. Despite his best efforts, the trip was going to be long and miserable for her men.

  Admrilia pointed at the loser corner of the map. “De-Uro?”

  “This is a pre-Conquering map, princess.” Hubei-Kai explained. “By the Conqueror’s edict, the city's name was changed after the war. Just as De-Kai became Ash-Kai?”

  “And De-Anu?”

  “The dead maintain their name.” Hubei-Kai said. “It will be a natural place for your party to stop on the way to De-Asha.”

  “Yes. We will pay the Legate a visit.” Admrilia said grimly. “Where are the Uro’s?” She asked. She glanced up from her seat as the door opened, and stood.