Psem's rigid figure slithered away in the darkness. She walked fast, but with suspicion, looking left and right, crossing the streets and making a mental map of the wine houses and abandoned walls that led to her destination.
One man approached from abead and seemed to invest his focus on Psem. She clutched her veil, and fearing he might recognize her, lookes down. No guard had come with her, she had stopped her carriage and the entourage are the Central market, choosing to o come by foot.
To her relief, the man crossed to the other side and disappeared into the darkness, leaving her again to her suspicion and the figures that rumbled around in the darkness. She inhaled. Tezf, home of the crafty Witch. She made a turn and advanced deeper into the night. Only a few shadows were now scattered about. She drew nearer and nearer and longing filled her. It came over her and tampered her marrows. With each step, she drew closer to victory, to the worthiness of Power, she'd gain this, all for Dimir and Chez.
That morning, she had departed Chez just as Goz and Esheth had left, only, she took a different route. Her plans had worked out, she had waited patiently for this moment, this moment that'd prove to Dimir their victory.
She stopped and stood ten meters from the home. A group of men chattered outside and teo of the guards paraded the darkness. She breathed, now, now.
Coming to the door, she lifted her veil and one of the guards recognized her. The men had quietened and some teased her with foul immorality, she ignored them, her gaze drawn towards the door and to the guard. He nodded to the door and moved while she followed behind. They entered into the house and the families smell of lemongrass and sorcery filled her nostrils. For a moment, she lost consciousness of the surrounding, then her breath slowed.
The candles that lit the path seemed to whirl across her eyes to the back of her head. The strong smell of incense touched the tip of her tongue; she looked back. The guard had shut the door and was now walking before her but there was two of them, or three, or...
****
Psem opened her eyes and a dashing pain pounded at the back of her head. She was lying on her back and the room was dark. It didn't feel like the soft satin of her bed or the shadows the curtains cast into her chamber. Few feet from her was an enormous elevated alter with two candle sticks burning. By the other side, one woman bent over, lighting another candle, a stick in hand.
Psem jerked awake. What had happened? She recognized the humming voice of Werez as footsteps neared her head. Werez's head appeared over her face, lit with a sarcastic smile.
"You fell in a trance," Werez said.
"No," Psem said pulling herself up. "I suppose the bowls of your incense are unnecessarily- many."
"It wards off evil," Werez said wryly, "or knocks it to the ground."
Psem returned a wry smile.
"I am not here to chatter, Were," she said, dusting her gown.
Werez moved away quickly.
"I don't remember inviting you Psem. Infact I mentioned that you do not return till I send for you."
"You don't suppose I'd listen, do you?"
Werez grimaced. "Scarcely," she said.
Psem nodded, hanging her head back, she walked to the table at the center of the room and reached for a stone.
"Good," she said, "now tell me all that have happened."
Werez held her gaze on Psem for a moment, an inpatient smile on her lips before she turned.
"Don't touch that. You don't have children and you'll remain that way."
Psem eyed Werez and threw the stone back to it's place. She drew best to where Werez was now sat in an adorned garland.
"I sent him the letter as you asked," Werez said.
"Well, did he come?"
Werez bit her lip, pain threatening to surge in her heart.
"Unfortunately- yes."
Psem laughed with victory. "Unfortunately?" She said.
"Tell me what this is dear Werez, you're in love with the man?"
Werez scoffed, adjusting in her seat.
"You don't know what this is.."
"Well, tell me, tell me you're not in love with Garath. But I'd tell you, there's no love for you with him, he'd use you and do away with your sorcery."
Psem squinted in disbelieve.
"Use me? He'd not use me as much as you have, if you see no evil in yourself Psem, then I'd tell you this. He saved me and I have betrayed him, I have betrayed the land he loves and fights for. If not for Garath I would have been- dead." Werez said and the pain flooded in without caution.
"Then live now," Psem said, "Give me all I want and make yourself rich, save yourself."
"This is where you get it wrong Psem. You think you can buy my loyalty with riches."
"I thought I already had," Psem said dryly.
"But you haven't."
Psem laughed. She drew back from Werez's side and walked to the other end of the room.
"You think I am selfish, you say to yourself and believe that I am the evil that lurks in the dark." Psem paused, she looked back at the table and walked to it.
"But what are you Werez? Are you not the witch who has betrayed her saviour, all for what?"
The room was quiet and Werez burnt from her garland. She thought perhaps the seat would bear the brunt of the ravaging pain that erupted from her insides, the rage that shook her mercilessly and the viciousness that possessed her body. She didn't take her eyes off Psem, she let the pain burn her, she fought the guilt that now hung against her head like the pendulum.
But she should know, she should know Psem's tactic, this is how Psem plays- dirty. If anyone betrayed, it was Psem, if any selfish, then it is Psem. Werez had only done it because she assured herself Psem had not power over what ZAGRA demands of Goz, wasn't that true? How was Psem so confident?
Werez reached the peak and let herself mellow. She exhaled deeply.
"No, Psem," she finally said. "I have only shown him the way. If truly Gox goes to ZAGRA, then you have no control over that. You have no control over what she demands of him."
"Yes, I agree. She is witch that lives in a slum, preying on the innocent merchants that grace her home," Psem said, fixing Werez a drawn gaze. She bent and took the stone again.
"I have no children and will remain that way...I wonder why-"
Werez scoffed. "Because that stone is the forbidden stone of Pashin. I warned you not to touch it, if it as much as drop then your womb goes."
Psem smiled. Walking to Werez with the stone still clutched in her fist, she kept her daring gaze, then at the blink of her eyes, dropped the stone.
Werez jerked out of the garland to her feet.
"You don't realize..."
"I have no womb Werez,"
"Not anymore..."
"I neither came here with a womb nor will return with one. Not after sacrificing it to the great ZAGRA."
We're paused, bringing herself to comprehend Psem's words.
"You sacrificed your womb to ZAGRA?"
Psem looked at Werez with more pride now, standing in victory.
"Yes. And now, you of all people know I have my way. Do you now, Werez of Tezf?"
Werez sunk back into the garland. What had she done.
"Don't, don't do this," Werez said.
"Now, tell me all I need to know."
"There's no more," Werez said in a whisper.
"Why, but I heard rumors at Tezf's market. What is that news of Goz's invasion in Baz?"
"Invasion?" Werez said sitting up. "The King did not invade Baz. Ozod's men tried to haradd them at the border."
Psem smiled brilliantly. "Hmm..."
She stood and made slowly for the door, she held the knob firmly then turned to Werez.
"That'll be all," She said.
"Psem, you do not need me."
Psem gave a low laugh. "Oh, I still do."
She walked out into the darkness again. It was almost midnight and it'd take about twenty minutes to reach the Central market. Psem walked back through the paths that had now become quiet. Fading voices sounded fro. The corners and the alleyways.
She walked seething with victory, her suspicion now replaced with reverence for the night. She burned to be with Dimir this moment but she and the men must begin their journey to Baz. It would only be a few hours before they arrived.
****
Ozod's castle was the most immense of all the Northern Districts and settlements. It's walls were enlarged by twelve flanking towers and the interior by three baileys. The castle overlooked the hills and mountains Baz shared with Tezf.
Psem arrived and her men arrived the castle at midmorning and we're ushered in from the gates by one of Ozod's constable who ordered his men to receive their horses. The constable was familiar with Psem and the King's interest in the woman so he brought her to the court and delivered her to the Chamberlain who in turn brought her to the entrance of the hall where Ozod was speaking with a few of his Generals.
Upon locking eyes with Ozod, Psem bowed and an enchanting smile went from her lips. Ozod kept his eyes on her while still speaking with the men.
It had been long, so long that she stepped foot in Baz. She had since given Ozod the impression that she knew how to run well, well enough from him. He had been in love with her, no, stricken with love, he had asked her to marry him, then she had run to settle with Dimir in Chez. Ozod had only been a Prince at the time.
Soon, Ozod dismissed the Generals and they began to trod out past her at the entrance. She finally came into the hall and stood before him, then bowed again, this time, teasing him.
"Well," he began, shifting in his seat. "I don't know what to say, Psem, my Love."
"Let me give you the words my dear Ozod."
He smiled and rose to meet her.
"Selet said you'd come back."
He held her arms and bore her his lust. Psem moved, she hadn't remembered his sister ever having any liking for her. She removed herself from his grip.
"She wasn't wrong," she said grudgingly.
"Here you are, and I am happy to see you Psem, I truly am."
Ozod's turned to watch her settle in one of the chairs.
"I miss you Psem, more than you know. I wished you stayed and let our love grow, I wished it had been me and not him, I couldn't keep your thoughts away, Ozod said returning to his seat, a pained look in his face.
"Have you truly come to me my Love?"
Psem sat with her legs crossed, she bit her lips searching for words, then she shut her eyes.
"No," she said and opened her eyes again to fix them on Ozod.
She felt for him the same way she had felt those years- nothing.
"I have come because of the affairs of your District, how can you manage a woman if you cannot manage your Kingdom."
Ozod scoffed.
"What are you speaking of. The seige was only a passing, we had no business with the other sects, even Pareth knew..."
"But I am not speaking of Pareth, I am speaking of Goz."
"Goz." Ozod said and Psem watched a loathing form in his eyes.
"I heard he attacked your men."
Ozod shifted, debating.
"He claims he was only passing through Baz."
"Oh well, disguised as one of the foreign merchants? Why didn't he come to pass regard to you or take his royal entourage? Tell me what your men call it."
"A spy raid."
"A spy raid," Psem said satisfied.
"Then it becomes an invasion before you realize, then a war, then Goz overthrows you like Pareth. I had more hope in your capability Ozod."
Ozod had risen from his seat again quizzing, a sudden realization came with Psem's words.
"But- his troops," he said. It
Psem raised a finger, satisfied again with her victory.
"Don't fret about his troops, that is why I have come. I am here to help you."
"Help me? How?"
Psem stood and walked to him.
"Chez's troop consists thousands of knights and skilled swordsmen. I'll talk to Dimir to deploy half the troop to Baz till you conquer Yateph."
"But- but why?"
"Why?"
"Why not Yateph?"
"How else do I adore your love Ozod. Let me repay your brokenness." Psem said dubiously.
Ozod smiled and drew closer to take her hand.
"But there's only one way," he whispered.
Psem moved away slightly. "Oh, don't be silly now," she said.
Ozod laughed and walked to his elevated throne.
"Victory will be mine."
"Yes. Soon Ozod."