Vir felt an overwhelming desire to skewer the monkey bubble up within him, but he forced his emotions back. The Chitran would have their reckoning in due course. Acting now would only jeopardize his plan. And his plan had to work, for the sake of all who lived in the city.
“Then it’s settled,” a Kothi in a more ornate robe—Governor Asuman, Vir presumed—said. “Order the guards to fall back to the Keep. Bring in as many of our people as possible, starting with the highest Callings. Hide the rest underground outside. With luck, we’ll emerge from this crisis mostly intact.”
“How about a more palatable alternative?” Vir asked, ensuring to keep his voice hoarse and raspy like Ekanai’s.
The Chitrans jolted, spinning to locate the voice’s source.
When their eyes landed on the figure dressed in black, emerging from the shadows, the color drained from their faces.
“Dance of the Shadow Demon? Iksana! Here? How? And that mask!”
Vir cackled. “Just because we prefer our tunnels does not mean we are incapable of leaving them, yes?”
Asuman cleared his throat. “You… are him? This Vaak character? I’d thought he was a Chitran warrior.”
“Vaak is Chitran,” Vir responded. “Vaak is Iksana. Vaak is Panav, and Vaak is Baira.”
“I-I see. I… hadn’t realized he had gained the support of the clans,” Asuman said, twitching reflexively. His words came shakily, bearing none of the confidence he’d exhibited only moments earlier.
Vir remained quiet, and in doing so, unnerved the occupants of the room even further. As Riyan had taught him long ago, there were few better ways to unsettle people than to hide one’s features behind a featureless mask, remaining silent when spoken to.
“How may we help you, esteemed Iksana?” Asuman said. Though he was clearly trying to regain the initiative, his voice betrayed his fear.
“A horde of Ash Beasts threatens your walls, and yet you squabble like pigs, secretly conspiring to throw your own people to the wolves.”
“Chitran Callings will be protected,” Asuman replied quickly. “This, I assure you.”
“Yet Kothis are only a portion of your population, are they not? I do not believe you understand the gravity of your situation, Governor,” Vir said, stressing the last word.
“The Ash Beasts are dangerous, yes,” the monkey demon said, scratching his head. “But we have dealt with them before.”
“Dealt with?” Vir scoffed. “You plan to feed them and hope they move along once their hunger’s satiated! Pray tell, where will they go? East? Where the prana is barren? No. North. To Panav. And south. To Iksana. Your problem has already become our problem. And the Iksana will not suffer further Chitran incompetence.”
It was a lie, of course, but the inland Gargan Sea would split any horde coming from the Boundary, diverting them north and south, spilling over to Iksana territory. It was what had happened the last time a horde broke through.
Asuman gulped. “I understand your concern. We’ll ensure they are dealt with. You have my word that they will not reach Iksana land.”
“They already have!” Vir rasped. “I’ve seen your walls. The level of training your troops receive. You cannot stop them. Even if you could, it would do you little good.”
“Why do you say that?” Asuman said, frowning.
“Because, Governor Asuman, you have a rebellion on your hands.”
“A rebellion you have participated in!” another general barked.
“The Iksana do not meddle in other clans’ affairs,” Vir replied calmly. “We merely keep watch. I am no more a part of this rebellion than any Gargan in the street who wears this mask. We infiltrate and we observe. I come to you now with critical intelligence. I take it you are aware of the quality of Iksana’s information network?”
“Of course,” Asuman said. “We would never question the Iksana’s intelligence-gathering capabilities. Without your help, our liberation of Garga would never have met with success. Tell me, what word do you bring?”
Vir turned his head slowly to each Kothi in the room. “Your time is almost nigh. Should you choose to do nothing to fight it.”
Asuman’s fingers had turned white from clutching his chair’s backrest. “I suppose you have come to us with a plan?”
“Indeed,” Vir said slowly. “In the spirit of inter-clan cooperation, I offer you salvation. A way to defeat this horde with no loss of life, and keep your control over Samar Patag.”
“And in return, you expect… what?” Asuman asked.
“Stability in our northern neighbor,” Vir replied. “Rebellion is chaotic. Dangerous. We wish for the Chitran to uphold your commitment to defending your Ash border. And we wish for peace.”
Asuman exhaled in relief and his face lit up.
“Of course. Of course! Then, will Clan Iksana be providing an army of their own? Though, I fear you will not be able to mobilize one in time—”
“Eliminate the Outcast Calling. Allow Gargan Laborers the opportunity to compete with Chitrans for jobs on an equal footing.”
Asuman blinked. “I beg your pardon?”
“As I said, Governor,” Vir said, drawing out each word, “you have a rebellion on your hands. Quelling the Ash Beast horde will buy your clan only a brief extension on life. If you wish for our aid, you must banish the Outcast Calling and allow the Gargans parity. Their mistreatment leads to hatred. Their hunger leads to desperation. Desperation… leads to rebellion.”
“This is their wish?” Asuman asked. “The wish of this… Vaak character?”
“Do not underestimate the phenomenon that is Vaak,” Vir said. “Vaak may once have been a demon, but that is no longer. Vaak is a symbol of all that is wrong with Samar Patag. Make an example of him, and you will have created the perfect martyr for rebellion. Kill him in secret, and ten will take his place. Vaak cannot be eliminated or squashed or ignored. Only appeased.”
Asuman glanced skeptically at his peers, who responded in kind.
They’re not yet convinced… Just a little further.
“You said the Iksana will provide a solution, yet you haven’t clarified how,” Asuman said, shifting the topic.
“Incorrect. I said only that the Iksana can solve this problem for you. You see, Vaak has promised us they will drive off the horde.”
“So Vaak plans to raise an army, then? An army of rebels?” Asuman said, tapping his chin. His monkey tail, which had been still until now, began to sway rhythmically.
Vir remained silent, content to watch Asuman form his own incorrect opinions. Let him think Vir was an army. The shock of witnessing him decimate the entire horde—on his own—would only cement Asuman’s obedience. No doubt the governor was thinking he could kill two birds with one stone—rid Samar Patag of the rebel faction, while also ridding it of Vaak.
“Very well,” Asuman said at last. “Should Vaak destroy the horde, thereby protecting the Chitran—er, Samar Patag—from harm, then I shall honor our agreement. If they fail, however, I’m afraid I will not be able to accept your terms.”
“Acceptable,” Vir said, tossing a magical tablet onto the table. “Record it.”
These tablets served a variety of functions in the Demon Realm, forming an analog to human utility orbs. Though, while orbs were integrated into nearly every aspect of human life, tablets were somewhat rarer in the Demon Realm. Or at least, in Samar Patag.
Asuman pressed his hand upon the tablet, which began to glow with prana. “I, Asuman, Governor of the Chitran stronghold Samar Patag, do swear to abolish the Outcast Calling and allow Gargan Laborers equal and fair access to Laborer Calling jobs, should the entity known as ‘Vaak’ defend this city from the upcoming Ash Beast horde.”