It took Hayan a few days to learn the real name of the man known as Soot. Aralim spent that time eagerly poring over the pages of Devran’s book. For the most part the chronicler had kept his writing concise, but his religious condescension leaked through to stain the pages nonetheless. Still, he gave an honest effort to portraying the Path as a valid belief system—and one that was recognized by the Eternal Emperor. Overall, he had expected worse.
The man known as Soot, Aralim soon learned, was actually named Riyaza. His last name was nonexistent, as he had never been allowed to take his father’s family name, and most commoners didn’t bother with a bloodline name. Usually, they would be known as “so-and-so”, son or daughter of “so-and-so”.
Riyaza, true to his word, stopped by Aralim’s estate a few weeks later. Aralim stepped out front to speak to him away from the servants and guards. “I thought I was being swindled at first, so I took a few extra days to follow-up on the rumours,” Riyaza said. He rubbed his dark moustache for a moment. “Tussom is believed to be dead—though I haven’t been able to learn much more than that.”
Aralim blinked. “So, the Emperor acted on what he learned of Tussom…” He was imagining Tag’na taking action after his interrogation of Lord Sunaza.
“Perhaps,” Riyaza said, “though he was allegedly found dead a few days prior to your trip to the Opal Valley. I guess it depends on how long ago His Ascendance learned of Tussom’s involvement.”
Well that makes even less sense… Aralim thought. Nothing he had learned at the Opal Valley had shed a negative light on the Overseer of Maykren’s sorcerers—it had only been his conversation with Sunaza that had made Tussom a suspect. There was definitely something more here than met the eye. Aralim looked down the slope of Corid Avenue at the gleaming roof of the Iron Palace. The Emperor had still not agreed to meet with him. “I think it is time for me to tour the Empire, then,” he told the ambitious man. “I best get to planning.”
“Do come and see me upon your return,” the man known as Soot said. “Perhaps we can meet for tea once more.”
“Of course I will, Riyaza,” Aralim replied. The man’s dark-bordered face turned sharply back toward Aralim. It was more of an instinctual reaction than anything else—Aralim could glean neither anger nor satisfaction from his new friend’s features. Then Riyaza walked away.
Aralim shrugged and went back inside.
That evening, Aralim discussed his plans with his friends in their sitting room. Nill was thrilled by the proposition of an adventure to the other cities of Numa’nakres. Miresh, while equally thrilled, decided she could only go if Master Enarrin allowed it. Her training in magic was still more important than any adventure. If she went, then Narr would go, too. Aralim also realized that he would need to decide which way to travel; the cities of Numa’nakres made for a proper circuit, but Rainrest could be his first destination or Maykren could be.
Miresh decided to ask about it the next day, while Nill wanted to seek out some proper travelling clothes. It seemed they would be leaving by the end of the week—Aralim only hoped Miresh would be travelling with them.
As they dismissed their meeting in search of dinner, Aralim wondered if the Emperor would summon him before they left. Worse, he pondered if the Emperor might stop him from going at all.