The Didaniyisgi by Edward C Patterson

Author:Edward C Patterson [Patterson, Edward C]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-11-28T22:00:00+00:00

Episode Eleven

Where Lord Belmundus assembles his deputies and discovers it’s a good time to get out of Dodge

1

No man is an island, they say, yet many believe they are. The seas about them a calm in a storm, because they subscribe to a particular fiction and endorse it daily with breakfast. But the interconnections of spirit and flesh makes it impossible to be alone even if the swirling of currents seem to miss the shore. So, the best of intentions are those which include a barrier reef — an atoll of trusted souls to assure the island is maintained beyond its foible and fable.

2

In Brunting Day’s afterglow, activity swept Harris. Kuriakis had bestowed an honor on him. But Harris soon realized it wasn’t an empty show — a title without responsibilities. Evidently, there had not been a Provost — a Didaniyisgi appointed in Montjoy since Tappiolus’ captaincy of the Yunockers. Duties and obligations were attached to the Didaniyisgi title. Of course, Harris was obliged to both the Elector and Scepta Charminus. She had suggested this reward, most likely responding to Harris’ insistence on visiting Montjoy. Now he would go, not as a tourist, but as some mucky-muck Ayelli with his own entourage. His first act was to thank Charminus.

The Scepta remained unconcerned, regarding the thanks as excessive and, shortly thereafter, went into labor. The gestation period may have been brief in Farn, still birthing was painful. Harris didn’t stick around to see or hear it, although Charminus’ wails could be heard throughout Mortis House. Instead, Harris commiserated with Tappiolus, who also appeared unconcerned.

“She will not die in the act,” he explained to Harris. “When it is born, send around a gift and nothing more will be said on the matter.”

More to the point, Tappiolus had an interest in Harris’ choice of marshals. A Didaniyisgi was required to choose three marshals — the Danuwa, to aid him in his tasks — an entourage, if you will. These he would select from the Thirdlings. Harris’ own choice would have been from Soffira and Miracola’s established Thirdling pool, but the rules were firm. The Danuwa must represent each Scepta — thus, one Thirdling from each household. So, Harris chose Parnasus, Posan’s sixth son from Miracola’s brood and Elypticus from Soffira’s, in part to make amends to the lad for his treatment after the Cabriolin race. Still, Harris needed to select one of Tappiolus’ offspring — reluctantly. Tappiolus would certainly seed the selection with a spy. Who needed the Eye when a whole body would do fine if not better? To balance things, Harris decided upon Mihela, Tappiolus’ fourth daughter. She had many of Charminus’ traits, but Harris could live with those.

“Mihela is destined for Aolium,” Tappiolus explained. “Daughters are easy pieces in the political game, Boots. No, no, no. I insist you choose from among my sons. In fact, I have one who could benefit from the light touch of this experience and the easy tasks.”

And if this son needed to break out,

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