Chapter Twenty-One—Tidings

The hotter air hit Shiro as he rushed to Nusah who had the letters in his hands. He snatched them out, then cracked the seal and started reading.

It was a letter from the vizier Shai’na.

And he couldn’t read it.

It was in the Abassir Imperial script. To Shiro the letter looked like a dancing chicken and stepped through ink and scribed a letter.

“Ha!” Ali scoffed as he snatched the letter out of Shiro’s hand and heading to another room.

Shiro sighed, following his friend to a chamber with sheer curtains and lots of light. The table was at least six paces in length, each side adorned with an exquisitely crafted wooden chair with golden tacks and high quality leathers.

Ali sat down and started reading the letter. Shiro waited with Nusah close at his side. “Well?” he asked. “What does it say?”

Ali lifted a finger and said, “Just because I can read it does not mean it is easy.” Then after a moment he put the letter down. “Faridoon al Sheef.”

“What?”

“The Black Cobra went to Faridoon al Sheef’s house,” Ali said. “The street and quarter where his house is located is also listed.” He smiled. “We have it!”

A sudden rush hit Shiro making him feel dizzy. He wanted to yank out his katana and rush to this house and cut Faridoon down wherever he found him standing.

“Pull out a chair for Shiro, Nusah.”

“I do not need a chair,” he said. “We must leave at once.”

“Pfft!” Ali scoffed. “And have half the garrison on our heels?”

“We can’t wait!”

“We must wait, Shiro,” Ali said. “You’re not thinking straight. Sit down, my friend and let me explain, eh?”

He growled deeply then sat down heavily.

“Nusah,” Ali said. “Drinks. Something to eat as well. I’m hungry.”

Feeling like he wanted to lurch from his chair and toss it through the window out of sheer impatience, Shiro forced himself to sit calmly.

“We will go under cover of night.”

“But Faridoon might be gone by then,” Shiro explained.

“And where is he going to go?” Ali asked as he spread his arms. “He is an ex vizier of the empire. He will go nowhere where we cannot follow, Shiro. Be patient.”

Shiro breathed out heavily.

I’m so close, he thought. I’m coming. I will find you. And I will take you back!

“Don’t give me that look,” Ali said reproachfully. “You already told me not an hour ago that I am the better strategist between us. You must trust me.”

Shiro nodded. “I do.”

“Good.”

Nusah came back with a platter of cold meats and fruits, along with a pitcher of wine.”

“Wine?” Ali asked, slightly impatiently. “It is midday and we have killing to do later and you bring me wine, boy?”

“Oh—I am sorry, Master—“

“Go get us some juice!”

“Yes, Master Ali,” Nusah said quickly and ran back toward the kitchen.

Ali watched him go and then turned back to Shiro. “Now, this is what we will do. We wait until nightfall. We will go together—with Nusah and a few of my slaves. We will storm Faridoon’s mansion, we kill him and finally be rid of his treachery. “As he spoke of killing Faridoon he made a jerky slashing movement with his hand across his neck. “After he is dead—or before, whatever you prefer, Shiro—we take back the lamp—er, I mean Jessamine. Yes?”

Shiro thought about it for a moment. It sounded like a very straight forward plan. Too easy, in fact.

“He has a fortune. He will have guards,” Shiro said. “We can’t just rush into his mansion and think we can carve our way to Jessamine.”

“Faridoon?” Ali scoffed. “That fool is run out of money!” He laughed. “I’m surprised he had enough to hire the Black Cobra! And speaking of my surprise, Shiro, I can’t believe he didn’t kill you.”

“He tried,” Shiro said. “I don’t know how I am still alive, but he told me the poison on his sword would kill me quickly.”

“And yet, here you sit,” Ali said with a gesture toward Shiro. Then he looked at Shiro’s bare chest. “On that thought, we need to get you some more clothes.”

“No,” Shiro said. “I don’t care. Besides, it’s too hot.”

Ali laughed. “That it is.”

Nusah returned with a large pitcher of juice and poured them both a cup. “I am sorry I took so long, Master Ali.”

Ali didn’t seem to notice as he popped a grape into his mouth. Afterward he instructed Nusah to send two of the slaves to Faridoon’s street to watch in case he left and to follow him if that happened.”

“Useful,” Shiro said in reference to Ali’s slaves.

“Some of the few people you can trust in this world, Shiro,” Ali said with a satisfied smile on his face, “Slaves and young boys too stupid of the world to know when they should betray you.”

“Should I stop trusting you then?”

“Oh, no, I’m one of the few exceptions of course!”

They both laughed.

“Now…” Ali said, taking more food from the platter. “We should prepare for later. We need to be at our best. Eat, drink. We will nap and then…” he left the rest hanging as his eyebrows jumped.

Shiro nodded, thankful that he had a good friend in Ali.