Empire’s prestige and power had begun to wane-and the very nature of the city altered. Instead of small, vicious fights for survival, the town sank into selfish power squabbles which were proving more deadly and disruptive than anything the citizens had known before. Instead of desperation and poverty, the stench of greed hung over the town and Hakiem found it stifling.
Perhaps he should leave… soon, before the current disorder wiped out what few pleasant memories remained. If the new path of the town was fixed, he had no idea to…
“You are very quiet. Wise One, for someone who earns his living with his nimble tongue.”
Jolted from his reverie, Hakiem turned to find Shupansea, living avatar of
Mother Bey and hereditary, if exiled, ruler of the Beysib Empire, regarding him with the delighted smile of a child who has caught his teacher in a spelling error.
“Your pardon, 0 Beysa. I did not hear you approach.”
“There are no others about, Hakiem. Formalities between us are necessary only before unfriendly eyes. Besides, I doubt you would have heard an entire army approaching. Where is the habitual wariness you’ve tried so hard to instill in me?”
“I… I was thinking.”
The smile disappeared from the Beysa’s face to be replaced with an expression of concern as she laid a soft hand on her advisor’s arm. “I know. You seem unhappy of late. Wise One. I’ve missed the talks we used to have. In fact, I’ve set aside time today specifically to seek you out and learn your mind. You’ve helped me so often in the past that gold alone cannot repay it. Tell me, what troubles you? Is there anything I can do to ease your concerns?”