116 True Nature (1/2)
No matter how much she may wish to belong, her own nature would always betray her.
Even though Tama had tried her best to fit in with Corco's staff, the distrust still hit her from all sides. However, she just couldn't choose the easiest option to dissipate the suspicion. Never would her nature allow herself to open up to others, not after what had happened to her family. Still, for now her personal problems could be ignored. All that mattered were Corco's orders. At least in this respect, her argument with Atau had been a great success. Once more focused on her task, Tama turned to the short warrior in her front.
”Quato, you organize the ghosts. Blend into the crowd and make sure everyone is in position for the start of the duel. As soon as there is any sign of trouble, you step in as fast as you can. Remember: We need to make sure that young master Epunamo is not harmed in the slightest. If you can, it would be good to step in at the last moment, since a close shave will make him more thankful. However, you should always prioritize his safety at any cost. Oh, not that it needs to be said: You can stay back if the bandit is in trouble.”
”Understood, lady Tama,” the young warrior replied. Ever since her father had died, Quato had been Tama's closest aide. Throughout the days in the capital, he had supported her as she tried to organize whatever had remained of Emperor Titu's men, alongside her mother and her sisters. As a result, she was more than happy to leave these practical matters in his capable hands. After all, as a weak woman, she knew her limits well. All she could do was stay in the shadows and organize the men to do their work, to the best of their abilities.
With a light sigh, the spy master walked a few steps and sat down at an unoccupied table, the place abandoned by its former masters in favor of the central arena's blood and excitement. On any other day, Tama would have loved to join in on the fun herself. After all, ever since she got stuck in this backwards town, she would gobble up any piece of entertainment she could find. In fact, this had been her biggest problem with her assignment to Saniya. How could a vibrant young girl like herself stand the dull, stale air of the countryside?
If it hadn't been for Corco, she would have never found her way here. With her thumb and middle finger, Tama held onto a piece of marinated meat and brought it up to her mouth, her fingers as fast as a thief's. After all, one could never know who was watching, and she would never want to appear unladylike. Soon her interest in the outside world faded away. Smokey, sweet and salty, a whole bouquet of tastes spread across her palate as the meat melted in her mouth. At least in terms of food, Saniya had much more to offer than she had expected. Plus, if Corco's own virtuosity with the koto was any indication, there was good reason to assume that the arts would soon follow his culinary achievements. Now if only she could get him to play some music for herself as well.
*Wouldn't that be nice,* she thought with another sigh and a look over to her master. As soon as her eyes hell onto the young king, her mouth turned up into a smile. The way the great King of the South was slumped in his chair, annoyed and bored out of his mind, was really too funny. Although he was far more serious than she remembered from his youth, sometimes Corco still had these moments of child-like innocence. Really, she could have watched all day. For now though, she would have to pretend to be busy. Even though there wasn't much for her to do now that she had given her orders to Quato, it was still best to walk around a bit. Considering just how much Corco himself worked every day to improve his territory, Tama was sure that he wouldn't like a lazy girl.
*What a waste of good food.*
Annoyed with her own obsession, Tama gave the meat one last look of longing, before she stood up and walked towards the edge of the garden. Her steps led her through an archway and into the outer hallways of Rapra Castle. Although she wasn't quite sure what important mission would await her here, she was sure to come up with an excuse if Corco ever asked her. Wasn't this her specialty after all? Maybe she could pretend to patrol the outer perimeter in case some enemy warriors tried to break in.
”I've seen someone suspicious go in there a moment ago.”
”That would work,” Tama mumbled, before she realized that the suggestion had in fact not come from inside her own head. With a spin that made her frilly silk dress flutter around her waist, Tama turned to face a dark-skinned young woman who had come dressed in a much more practical attire. Now confronted with a stranger, she put on her usual polite smile.
”You are young Princess Sumaci of the Verdant Isles, are you not?” she asked the guest. Of course the question was rhetorical. As the head of Corco's ghost warriors, Tama knew the names and faces of every noble who had entered Rapra Castle today. Still, at least the barbarian girl could have made an attempt at a proper reply, beyond a simple nod of her head.
”You are with the king, right? I've seen you stand around him all evening.”
Unfazed by the rude attitude, Tama answered with a small bow.
”This servant's name is Tamaya di Pluritac, official within King Corcopaca's court. How may this servant help young lady?”
With a pout, the young verdant princess pressed her left hand into her hip and stood at a slant.
”As I said, I saw someone suspicious go into this tower a bit ago. I think they have no business inside. Maybe you ought to do something about this?”
”Is that so,” Tama answered, still confused by the girl's attitude. ”This specific doorway leads to one of Rapra Castle's defense towers. It is staffed by King Corco's own warriors. Even though they may seem frightening due to their foreign appearance, they are very much allowed inside.”
”I may be young, but I am no fool. The man who entered the room was Medalan and did not wear the clothes of the king's warriors. It is the very reason I mentioned it.”
In an instant, Tama's smile broke and was replaced by a frown. For a few seconds, she only stared at the princess, in an attempt to ascertain her motivations.
”Truly?” she asked.
”Why would I lie about this? See, if there is some sort of assassination on that king of yours, I want to help prevent it. I still have many questions.”