The Iron Wolf Chapter 2, the peasant's minister
The walls of the capital of Calemdor were ancient, a combination of stone and wood. A slavers hold was outside the entrance. Much of Calemdor was frozen. You knew you arrived when you saw the brown and black flag planted outside. Inile crept through the tundra like his distant canine ancestors to keep discreet as he approached the hold. As he approached the jail, he eased the door open and saw inside. There was a cell with four prisoners, one of which was his target. It relieved him to know that his target hasn't been sold yet. But there was also a guard next to the door. As the guard saw him, he yanked the door open and attacked. However, before he could swing his axe, Inile stabbed him in the stomach. As he went inside, there was another guard getting up facing the cells. Inile pulled his sword around that ones throat, pulled him up and ran it along his throat, blade facing flesh. When the body went limp, he pulled back his blade and began searching the bodies for a key. When he found one, he unlocked the cage and said to his target, " sit still. I'm here to help."
Then he took hold of the chains fastened to his wrists and neck and began to yank them. After loosening the nails, he thrust his blade down on them and broke them off. He pulled the prisoner up and drug him out, all the while prisoners shouting to go with them. As he crouched to his hands, he quaffed, " come on" and both began sprinting through the ice like wolves. As they approached the shore, the snow began to diminish and was replaced by woodland. Then, when they arrived at the shore, there was a small wooden fort overlooking the Tajjician sea. Inile used a canoe carved out of a log to row there, and they used that to get back to Candu. As they hastily rowed, the rendezvoused prisoner breathlessly asked, " who are you?"
" I'll explain later."
When they approached the ice covering beyond the shore of Candu, they hopped out of the canoe and ran to the city, then up the stairway to the manor. When they arrived on the great balcony, they stood trying to catch their breath. As they did, Inile said, " I don't know why they crossed that line, but at least we got you back.
" I am Inile, youngest son of prime minister Numetsun and heir to the throne. I'll have the blizzard blacksmiths cut those bonds off."
The blizzard forge was where most of the Weicfu blades were created, along with the blades that would belong to Canduian champions. The forge was an open platform under Inile's bedroom, across the way from the great hall, around the corner from the bathhouse and next to the stairwell. " Thanks sir." the prisoner said as they went inside. Inile opened the door to the forge and called, " smiths, he needs these bonds cut off."
There were two white-furred blacksmiths at the forge. " Yes sir" one of them said as the prisoner went into the forge. As he walked through the halls, Inile thought about what occurred before this rendezvous. His elites won the election. That meant that he was to become the new prime minister. As he turned to the stairwell, he ran into Wuefhi, who was still staying there watching for Inile's depression. " Well Wuefhi, this is it."
" There you are" Wuefhi slapped Inile on the shoulder. Both went upstairs to his fathers room and Wuefhi waited as Inile went inside. Before going in, they went to his room and he retrieved his apprenticeship garb. The prime ministers robe was a large, red, sleeveless coat normally worn over the apprentice garb. Inile shut the door, pulled off his chest plate, slid out of his leathers and into his apprentice garb, and then into the robe worn by his father. He opened the door and silently nodded his head. Wuefhi also nodded and slammed his arm on his chest in respect. When the prime minister was elected, it was customary for the minister to howl to solidify his dynasty, like a wolf howling to say, 'this is my land.' Inile hesitated as he realized where he was. Then when he mustered enough will, he took a breath and let out a long, strong howl. He kept howling for three minutes. Then he went to the great hall, where Wuefhi and his fathers old steward waited, and stopped in front of the throne. He turned to see the steward motioning to go ahead. He turned to the throne and sat down. Exhilaration ran through him knowing that he was now the prime minister of Candu. Then he beckoned Wuefhi. He approached and Inile told him to kneel. He did and Inile took hold of his shoulder and said, " Wuefhi, son of Hwefio, with my power as prime minister of Candu, I name you captain of the blizzard guard."
Despite his attempts to keep stone face, a smile stretched across Wuefhi's face as he heard this. " Arise, captain Wuefhi."
Inile removed his hand as Wuefhi got up and stepped back. " What is your first action?"
Inile gave some thought as the steward asked about his first act. He had heard that the Weicfu intended to listen to the people before an action was taken. As he recalled this, he also recalled the size of the capital. Finally he cleared his throat and said, " have some scribes and messengers post signs that we are now taking construct requests. This is to be called the 'peasants hammer' act."
The steward bowed, said, " yes my lord" and left. " Well, how time flies", Wuefhi sighed, " seems like just yesterday we were just sparring for practice. Then you're minister and I'm captain of the guards."
" Aye, time does fly fast."
Then he thought about the malady that struck his father. And he concluded that he did not want that. "Wuefhi?"
" Yes ini... I mean sire."
" Do you mind telling the steward to contact the Gyers?"
" Sure, what do you need to talk about?"
" That syndrome that got my dad."
" Alright, I'll see that he gets the message."
As he was about to leave, Inile stopped him and said, " oh, one more thing! Tell him to tell the Gyers to bring someone who knows about cures."
" Alright."
There was a long period of time after that with nothing happening. Now he knew how boring it could get on the throne. He thought 'I know of something this town could use.' Then after another while, the steward came in with two peasants. He bowed and said, " sir, may they speak to you?"
" Sure. Not much happening anyway."
The peasants, two whites, apparently mates, stepped forward and the man said, " sir, we have a suggestion for the builders."
" Early birds getting the worm, eh?"
" Yes, well, we don't really want to stay in the under city."
The under city was a series of tunnels which the Weicfu used to collect stone. It was also used to house those who couldn't afford a bed. " Go on."
The two looked at each other and the mans wife continued, " Well, honestly, it is dark, smelly, vermin infested. You can't walk ten feet without stepping in someone's crap."
" Really? Well, what do you request?"
" We request a home, or building, where the homeless can stay without charge. Like the bunkhouse of Tajjic."
As soon as she requested this, Inile thought. The Tajjicians had their Quintius hall, a fraternal organization that give their money to assist those less fortunate. Their funding-smuggling of an illegal book. However, the Weicfu didn't have a Quintius hall, no.
After some thought, he concluded that the home could run on no income. It may be tricky figuring it out, but it could work. " Very well, Onhinweh, have some builders begin construction of a bunkhouse."
" Yes my lord," the steward bowed and left the room. Then the peasants thanked him and also left the room.
A while later, one of the Gyer sages arrived. " You needed guidance?"
" Yes. I wish to know how to cure the syndrome that crippled my father; brittle joint."
" Well, there is no cure that we know of. However, there is a way to prolong it."
" What is it?"
" We call it calcium."
" What?"
" Calcium. It is more common in food that contains milk."
" So, if I eat and drink anything that contains milk, that would prolong brittle joint?"
" Yes."
" Thank you for your guidance."
" We are open for questions. Always."
At that, he bowed and left the hall.
A short while later, Onhinweh returned. As soon as he did, Inile called, " I'm sorry if this is inconvenient. But I have a request. A diet that consists of milk based food."
" Milk based food? Why?"
" The sage said it can prolong brittle joint."
" Very well then. I'll make all the arrangements."
He bowed and went back out. A short while later, after the sun went down, Inile got bored and went upstairs to his fathers room, which he has claimed when he became prime minister. He slid off the robe, removed his garb, lowered into the bed and slept the night off.
During the sleep, he began to recall a dream. No, not a dream. A vision. There was nothing of a landscape that he could see. In the distance he saw a white figure. He jogged toward it and it began to take shape. Then, he figured out who it was. His father. As he began to recognize him, he broke into a run. Numetsun opened his arms and took hold of Inile in a hug. " Hu Inile, how are you doing?"
" Better now. Now that I know you're at rest.
" Say, is this a dream?"
" We shall see. Try doing something in your control."
Then, Inile turned and kicked high in the void. " So you see, this is not a normal dream."
Then Numetsun laid his hand on his son's shoulder and said, " Now, there is something I must tell you. In the years of the tribes, there existed a legend. The tribal's say that everyone has a guide of the spirit world. They can be Annakian acols, a guardian in the form of a creature of nature or a loved one. I have agreed to be yours. I shall give you guidance in your career and life."
" How can I speak with you?"
" You may drug yourself, entrance yourself traditionally or simply sleep with communication on your mind."
At that, Inile awoke. It was morning on the tundra. He got up out of the bed, slid into his garb, went to the hall and asked Onhinweh, " Nightly report?"
" A crowd of peasants came in asking for some things to be built. It looks like your new act is taking off."
" Why wouldn't it? What was requested?"
" Housing, a woodcutter's house, a butchers shop, some weaponsmiths..."
" They'll be done. Oh, and how about a bards shop?"
" Yes my lord."
Onhinweh bowed and exited the room. Wuefhi happened to be in the same room as Inile sat on the throne. " It must be boring on there."
" Yeah, it is."
After a while of standing, Wuefhi decided to toss a sword to Inile. When the guards drew their swords, Inile raised a hand and said, " hold. He's fine."
He stepped off the throne, drew the sword from its scabbard and crossed swords with Wuefhi. " So, tell me Wuefhi, what's your secret?" he swiped at him as he said it. " You've got to put your entire body into it," they continued cracking their swords as they spoke. " Also, you have to become the sword," as he said it, the two crossed blades and Wuefhi kicked Inile down. " Stay back guards. This is our fight."
He leapt back up and swiped at Wuefhi, which was responded with a block. They continued cracking swords. Then Wuefhi pointed behind Inile and said, " Oh, whats that?"
Inile looked and Wuefhi struck with the blunt edge of his blade. " So thats how you want to play it."
They continued to crack their swords until they crossed again. Inile lowered Wuefhis and kicked him back through the doors. " Not bad," he got up and walked back in.