The convoy passed through the immense gates of Ghadib's domain, entering a vast courtyard paved with marble where the hooves of horses and the metallic clatter of carriages resonated. An intoxicating scent of incense and precious spices floated in the air, mixed with the heat of the desert still present despite the shadow cast by the imposing buildings.
Raikuto got off the cart under the supervision of Abraham and several servants. He placed his bare feet on the warm stone, feeling for the first time in days a surface other than the hot desert sand.
His gaze swept over the bustle that reigned in the courtyard. Men dressed in rich linen tunics talked under a shaded pergola, exchanging purses full of golden obols. Further away, scribes carefully folded rolls of parchment under the watchful gaze of a steward. A woman with arms covered in copper bracelets sold vials of perfume to a nobleman in a gold-embroidered dress.
Everything here exuded wealth and power.
"The master is waiting for you," Abraham declared, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.
Raikuto did not move immediately, absorbed by the spectacle unfolding before his eyes. This place was a completely unknown world to him. He knew nothing about the past, but he understood one thing: he had never belonged to such a universe.
"Move," Abraham insisted.
Raikuto clenched his fists and let himself be guided through the long corridors of the palace.
The walls of the corridor were decorated with luxurious tapestries depicting battle scenes and ancient imposing figures. One of them particularly caught his eye: a warrior in golden armor holding a scepter, facing a black beast with glowing eyes.
Raikuto slowed down slightly, contemplating the image. Something about this scene gave him a strange feeling, like he should understand it.
- What is this ? he asked.
Abraham paused briefly, glancing at the tapestry before responding casually.
—An old story of this kingdom.
Raikuto narrowed his eyes.
—Who are they?
The steward did not answer immediately, as if he were weighing his words.
— Figures from the past have shaped who we are today, he finally said. But they don't matter to those who have no place in this world.
He paused before adding:
— You, for example.
Raikuto didn't respond. He didn't know how to interpret these words.
"Walk," ordered Abraham, resuming his journey.
As they advanced, they passed a massive door, adorned with a strange sigil and flanked by two guards in dark armor. Unlike the other entrances to the palace, this one was locked and under close surveillance.
Raikuto instinctively slows down.
—Why is this door guarded? he asked in a low voice.
"Don't ask questions," Abraham replied without stopping.
Raikuto glanced at the guards. One of them stared at him briefly before looking away, impassive.
It didn't take much to arouse his curiosity.
—What's behind it? he insisted.
Abraham stilled this time, sighing slightly before turning to him.
—You are here to serve, not to snoop.
Raikuto didn't answer, but he memorized the location of this door.
Something important was hidden behind it. And he intended to find out what.
****
In a vast room decorated with sumptuous carpets and carved bronze lanterns, Ghadib sipped an amber liqueur, savoring the burn of the liquid on his tongue. His fingers closed absently on the finely carved glass, but his gaze remained sharp, fixed on the two men sitting across from him.
The first wore a purple tunic, stamped with the golden seal of the Sand Caste, the governing body of the kingdom of Topaza. His face, carved by years of negotiations and political maneuvering, was marked with suppressed concern. Beside him, a sturdy merchant with stern features held a ledger in his hands, nervously flipping through the pages.
"The God-King demands new funds to strengthen the Guard," the noble said tensely. The borders are increasingly attacked by Amethysta. Our caravans disappear before they even reach the outposts, and every week we suffer considerable losses.
Ghadib calmly placed his glass on the mother-of-pearl-encrusted marble table and crossed his fingers under his chin.
—Have our Rubellite allies not sent mercenaries to protect our roads? he asked, in a measured tone.
The merchant sighed and closed his register with a sharp slam.
— Yes, but at an exorbitant price. He ran a hand through his carefully trimmed beard. Emperor Kaelis knows that we depend on him for the protection of our convoys, and he is taking advantage of this to double his rates. If this continues, even the nobility will have difficulty obtaining gems and enchanted water.
The noble nodded gravely.
— The people begin to murmur. Cities like Khalzram and Sabaath have already seen their warehouses burned by looters. If we don't react, Topaza's entire business will collapse.
Ghadib tapped his fingertips on the armrest of his precious wooden chair.
— We need to find an alternative.
A silence ensued, disturbed only by the crackling of the lanterns.
Then, Ghadib turned to the Sand Caste noble.
—If the God-King really wants to strengthen the Guard, he must consider exploiting the obsidian mines in the south. He leaned forward slightly. This material is as strong as iron, and much more accessible than weapons forged in Rubellite.
The noble frowned.
— You know as well as I that this solution is politically impossible. He crossed his arms. The southern mines are under religious jurisdiction. The Priests of the Oasis consider these lands sacred. We can't touch it without triggering a crisis with the High Council.
Ghadib gave a subtle smile.
—Then we will have to convince them... one way or another.
The merchant raised an eyebrow.
— Convince them? You underestimate their fanaticism. Even when presented with evidence that these mines could save Topaza, they will refuse to relinquish their control.
The noble shook his head.
—We have already attempted negotiations with the Oasis Priests, but they remain inflexible. They claim the mines are home to ancient relics that should not be disturbed.
— Relics? Ghadib raised an eyebrow.
"Ancient legends, nothing more," replied the noble in an annoyed tone. Stories about artifacts that should not be awakened.
Ghadib was silent for a moment, his fingers gently tapping the armrest.
"Then we'll need another lever," he finally declared.
The merchant rested his elbows on the table and stared at him suspiciously.
— Another lever? Do you have something in mind?
Ghadib smiled slightly.
— There is always a lever.
The noble sighed.
— If you have a solution, it's best to present it quickly. The God-King will not tolerate his kingdom losing power for long.
The silence stretched on for a few seconds, then Ghadib slowly stood up, adjusting the sleeves of his gold-embroidered tunic.
— I will do what needs to be done.
He turned his head towards Abraham, who had remained behind, silent.
—And in the meantime, I have another file to manage.
The steward immediately understood what he was talking about.
With a slight nod, he walked towards the door and motioned for Raikuto to enter the room.
The noble and the merchant immediately stopped talking, observing the boy curiously.
—A child? the noble murmured, slightly perplexed.
Ghadib smiles, amused by the reaction of his guests.
"Not just any child," he replied, looking at Raikuto. There is something unusual about this one.
****
Silence settled for a moment in the room after the departure of the noble and the merchant. The slight creak of the closed door resonated for a few more seconds before Ghadib turned his attention back to Raikuto.
He tapped his fingertips on the marble surface of the table, observing it with that calculating look he often wore when analyzing a rare commodity.
Raikuto, for his part, remained motionless, his fists slightly clenched. His gaze betrayed neither fear nor submission.
— A proud look.
Ghadib's voice broke the silence with a touch of amusement.
—It's rare to see this in a newly purchased slave. Usually, they lower their heads, avoid my gaze... but you, you almost defy me.
Raikuto didn't answer immediately. He didn't know whether to answer or stay silent.
Ghadib slowly sat back in his chair and crossed his fingers under his chin.
—You're not like the others.
He raised his locket again, the crystal still shining brightly.
"What I want to know is why.
Raikuto hesitated before replying, his voice measured:
- I don't know.
Ghadib tilted his head slightly, as if trying to detect a lie in his words.
- You are sincere...
He sighed lightly and gestured to Abraham, who immediately approached.
— Take care of his integration into the house. He won't have the same obligations as the other servants, but I want him to quickly learn the rules of the domain.
Raikuto narrowed his eyes.
—What do you expect from me?
Ghadib smiled slightly.
—I always have a use for those who have a special talent. Maybe you have one. Maybe not. But if you want to survive here, you better find out before me.
Raikuto remained silent.
Abraham placed a firm hand on the boy's shoulder and guided him toward the exit.
But before they crossed the threshold, Ghadib added:
—Ah, one last thing.
Raikuto turned around slowly.
— Do not go near the private quarters of the mansion. Some places are forbidden to you… and I doubt you want to find out why.
The boy held her gaze, but said nothing.
Abraham motioned him forward, and the door closed behind them, leaving Ghadib alone in the room.
The merchant leaned back in his chair and touched the smooth surface of the medallion with his fingertips.
— A potential asset… or a complication.
He then turned his gaze towards a portrait hanging on the wall, representing a woman with fine features and a deep gaze.
His smile faded slightly.
- Soon.
He grabbed a sealed letter from his desk and opened it with an expert gesture.
Inside, a short and concise message, signed with a symbol known only to him and his contact.
"Preparations are progressing. Alexander is keeping an eye on the royal court. Wait for my instructions."
Ghadib slowly folded the missive and slipped it into a sealed drawer.
His gaze was lost for a moment in the dancing flames of the brazier, before he whispered:
— It's all a question of patience.
****
Abraham walked in front of Raikuto, his measured steps echoing on the stone slabs of the corridor. The boy followed him in silence, his gaze keen, memorizing every detail of the palace.
The ostentatious luxury of the place contrasted with the heavy silence which reigned in this wing of the building. Here, there are no busy servants or arguing merchants. Only the lanterns diffusing a subdued light guided their progress.
As they passed the locked door, guarded by two armored men, Raikuto felt a shiver run down his spine.
He didn't know what was behind that door, but he felt it was important.
He slowed his pace imperceptibly, trying to analyze the details: the symbol engraved on the dark wood, the stiff postures of the guards, the absolute silence that emanated from this place.
But Abraham did not give him time to linger.
"Don't ask too many questions, kid.
His voice was low, but firm.
Raikuto gave him a sidelong glance.
- For what ? Is it prohibited?
Abraham stopped and faced him.
— You are intelligent, I noticed. But if you want to survive here, learn one thing: some doors have to stay closed.
Raikuto didn't respond, but he memorized these words.
They continued their walk through the palace until they reached a more isolated wing. There, Raikuto heard whispered voices coming from an adjacent alcove.
He instinctively slows down, listening.
—Our men have returned from the Crypt. They didn't bring anything back, but what they learned...
A pause, then another voice, deeper. He immediately recognized Ghadib's voice.
— The Devourer of Memories... He does not restore the dead, only the memory...
Raikuto felt a shiver run down his spine.
A silence, then Ghadib's voice resumed, lower, more calculating.
—Then we need a body...and a source of energy.
Raikuto froze.
He didn't understand everything, but these words resonated within him like an alert.
A body.
A source of chaos.
He didn't know why, but he felt like it concerned him.
—Are you planning to stand there all night? Advance.
Abraham had just stopped in front of a carved wooden door. He opened it and gestured for Raikuto to enter.
The boy crossed the threshold cautiously.
The room was simple but comfortable. A bed with fine linen sheets, a mahogany table, a lantern diffusing subdued light. A window overlooked the back of the palace, where the desert dunes could be seen under the light of the moon.
— This is where you will sleep. You are under Ghadib's protection, so you will not have to share your quarters with the other servants.
Raikuto observed the scene without a word.
There was a certain elegance in this room, but he knew that this comfort hid another reality.
He was not a simple slave.
And Ghadib expected something from him.
— Rest. Tomorrow your training begins.
Abraham closed the door behind him, leaving Raikuto alone.
The boy slowly approached the window and looked out at the desert that stretched as far as the eye could see.
The wind raised swirls of silvery sand under the light of the stars.
His mind was in turmoil.
The Crypt.
The Devourer of Memories.
The need for a body and a source of chaos.
He didn't yet know how it all fit together.
But he knew one thing: he had to find out the truth before it was too late.
****