This story is based on the John Norman Chronicles of Gor series of novels. (As always, copyrights are the property of the copyright-holder(s).) Translations for Gorean words (those whose meaning cannot be determined by context) can be found at a number of websites. And for those Gor fans who quibble with details or believe this goes too far afield of the Chronicles of Counter-Earth, remember ... this is fiction.
*
"There are apparently no witnesses."
Marius was standing inside the compound where he had killed Tarsk. For the first time within the walls of the compound, he was clothed. Marius was standing, arms crossed trying to look nonchalant, with a guardsman, clad in a red and gold tunic, as well as an Initiate, head shaven and in white robe, Qamar, and Talibah, Marius' superior, who like Marius was a member of the blue caste.
"It was a scalpel," said a guardsman, clad in a red and gold tunic. "Driven almost completely into him. Stabbed in the heart."
Marius had left the compound not knowing where he was in Ar. But by finding the Central Cylinder, the tallest cylinder in Ar, he determined that he was about 10 pasangs from his chambers by a direct route. He walked as quickly as he dared while avoiding main streets and intersections, and returned to his chambers by dawn. After checking his chambers thoroughly to make sure no one lurked inside, he pulled off Trask's tunic and boots, stuffed them inside the medical bag, cleaned off Trask's dried blood off his body as best he could, and dressed in his own clothing before going to the Central Cylinder to report on his previous two days.
"I have spoken with the slaves," said Qamar. "No one claims to have heard or seen anything."
"You were the first to find him?" asked the guardsman.
"Yes," he said. "I walked through the compound in the third Ahn. I saw a trail of blood coming from his chamber. I went inside and discovered him."
"Do you know who might have been interested in killing him?"
Qamar had an expression of thought on his face. In spite of himself, Marius had to suppress a smile. "I am unaware of anyone."
"Are we certain that this is not suicide?" asked Talibah.
"It is possible," said the guardsman. "He was a physician, so he would know where to place a knife if he wished to kill himself. There are less painful ways to commit suicide, however."
"Who knows what lurks in a man's mind," said Talibah.
Just then, Marius saw Tarana looking at him in a doorway, mostly obscured by the shadow against the bright sun. She appeared immensely relieved.
"I know what lurks in my mind — black wine," said Marius. "I have not slept well these past nights. Pardon me a moment."
Qamar suppressed a smile of his own. Marius walked toward Tarana, saying loudly, "Kajira! I ask your favor! Black wine, first slave!" so that the others would not notice how he was looking at her.
Marius then stood near the doorway looking back at Talibah and the others, affecting nonchalance. Qamar pretended to notice something on a wall and walked toward him while not looking at him.
"You did not need your quiva after all," said Qamar just loudly enough for Marius to hear.
"He attacked me," Marius said. "Which turned out to be his undoing. His final miscalculation. At any rate ... my thanks. We were of the same chain."
"It was ... unfortunate how our paths crossed," said Qamar.
After a pause, Marius said, "I said you have more options than you realize. The man in the blue robes over there is my superior. I'm going to tell him I think you would make an important contribution for us."
After a longer pause, Qamar answered, "It would be foolish to not listen."
Marius thanked Tarana, holding her eyes for a moment longer than needed, and brought out the platter that contained six cups of black wine and one of bosk's milk. Qamar casually followed him to not appear as though he was following him. The initiate and Qamar declined, so Marius drank theirs.
"There are irregularities here," the guardsman said, looking at Talibah and Marius while drinking his black wine. "There are many irregularities here."
Marius shrugged.
"That is your opinion," said Talibah. "Ar is a marvelous environment for irregularities."
The guardsman looked at Talibah skeptically. "This will be further investigated."
"As it should be," replied Talibah.
The guardsman went back inside. Talibah took Marius aside, the Initiate following him.
"I am unaware that your instructions included killing this man," said Talibah.
After Marius' escape, he had reported to the Chamber of the Council and informed Talibah about his kidnapping, his discovery of Tarsk's Kurii weapon, and what he had been told about Tarsk's Kurii activities.
"Is not the penalty for association with an enemy of Ar death?" asked Marius.
"Is your role to administer sentences?" said Talibah.
"I wonder how long Kahire possessed the silver tube," said Marius in answer, looking at the Initiate. "The Priest-Kings are supposed to administer the Blue Flame to any possessor of Kurii weapons within a year, are they not?"
The Initiate started to answer, then felt better of it. "I must return to the chamber" was his ultimate answer. "The High Initiate has asked for a report."
"And what will you tell him?" asked Talibah.
"That the guardsman cannot determine whether it is suicide or murder," he answered.
Talibah raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
After the Initiate had left, Talibah said, "The amount of random crime in this city should be of concern to the council."
"Yes," said Marius, earning a look of skepticism from Talibah. "Including kidnapping free men off the streets, I should think."
"You appear to be unharmed," said Talibah.
"Only because of my skills and wits," answered Marius.
"And your humility, no doubt. You continue to take liberties, don't you?" said Talibah, and in a flash of insight Marius noticed how much he sounded like Trask. "You really should be more careful what you say in the presence of the Initiates."
"It was a legitimate question," said Marius. "And it is a legitimate question. What does it say that we had to ferret out this alliance and the Priest-Kings had no knowledge of it?"
"You cannot assume that," said Talibah. "The Priest-Kings have their reasons, and discerning those reasons is usually a futile exercise." After a few steps, he added, "I forget that you do not believe in the Priest-Kings."
"It is difficult to believe in something one has never seen," Marius replied after a few more steps. "But belief is not the point; I assume they exist. I assume I work for them, but I do not worship them."
"What do you worship ... other than yourself?"
"Your sense of humor is occasionally impenetrable," said Marius. "I was not aware that worship was required for this profession of mine." He paused. "I believe there is a kajira in Trask's house who believes I saved her life."
"Indeed? What did you do?"
"I ... intervened to prevent Kahire from killing her."
"And he did not kill you?"
"Evidently not," Marius said dryly. "I remain curious that Kahire chose to abduct me. It is as if he believed he was being suspected."
"He may have," said Talibah. "It is said that the assassin fears a knife lurking behind every tree."
"Perhaps I need to start looking for knives lurking behind trees," said Marius. "I had no warning before I was abducted. And I still do not know why he would have suspected me, given that I had never heard of this Trask Kahire before two days ago." He walked a few additional steps, thinking about how say what he said next. "Had I not known better, I would have suspected someone from inside the city was working with Trask."
