They arrived at the Judian capital of Bakale with no grand welcome. The outer gates opened with little fuss. Zakarus and Irina exited the carriage to see guards lining the steps to the white castle. The faint outline of a lake could be seen to the left, and miles of sand were to their right.

Zakarus, Irina, and Shaed were ushered up the stairs and into the hall where Suzerain Abran and his court waited for them. Upon rising for a stiff bow, Zakarus felt prepared for battle.

"Son, where is Koman Ban?" Suzerain Abran's steel voice questioned, as his coal eyes appraised Shaed's kneeling form.

"His spirit is being honored with our ancestors." Zakarus motioned for Koman Ban's body to be brought into the hall.

A woman's cry broke before the rapid echo of slippers were heard. Zakarus's lips pressed slightly on seeing the mother fall upon her son. Irina shook her head slightly to ward away any tears, while Shaed cleared his throat as softly as possible.

"Take the late-Koman and his mother from my hall," Abran ordered with a wave of his hand. "Foolish boy should have never volunteered without the proper training. Do you not agree, Koman Sutter?"

"Koman Ban showed himself to be a great and skilled warrior."

Abran's smirk left little believing he was humored by Shaed's response. "Just not as great and skilled as yourself? No need to answer the results are proof enough. As is tradition, all of Koman Ban's inheritance is now yours. Irina, help the young koman rise. Now son, let us hear of the rest of your journey. What can you tell us of our affluential neighbors?"

Irina clinched her teeth throughout the meeting with Suzerain Abran. She continued to have mixed emotions that ranged from love to hate for her uncle. Irina's joyful memories joined in broken seams with her parents' decapitation. Her mind unintentionally drifted back to that night.

***

"Brother, this is not what I wished." Suzerain Kane stated, staring at the sword laid upon his desk as Irina bit her lip in the corner.

"You were the one who called for the komans to choose," Abran hissed.

"So I am the serpent's head?" her father cried.

"Not at all, brother. We have always been the two-headed serpent," Abran clipped.

At that moment, Irina wished to be back in the blasted school her mother had sent her to. She wished never to have touched a sword while watching her father's manic laugh.

"It sounds like a hideous creature," Kane finally replied.

Abran smirked.  "It is. A creature that is simply waiting for one head to kill the other so it can finally move in one direction."

"Brother Abran, there is no need to postpone what you have come to do." Suzera Jana interrupted, walking to the middle of the room before falling to her knees. "For Jude, it must be done."

***

Irina willed herself back to the present. She could not let her memory play.  It clouded her judgment.

"This is how it will be done for Jude?" Abran queried as Zakarus nodded.

"Yes, for Jude, it must be done."

Irina stared at her cousin in shock, uncertain if the words were indeed his or her mother's. The memory forced itself back to play again.

***

She had hardly stopped screaming at the sight of her parents' headless bodies when Abran gathered her into his arms. The Suzerain's soothing voice did little to calm her as the blood pooled and their eyes remained emotionlessly staring at her.

***

Irina pinched her leg to will her mind to concentrate on something else. Uncle Abran had been right to say the event would be a horrid memory. He had been wrong to think it would ever fade.

"Suzera Irina, what shall be done for Jude?" Abran asked.

She looked into his coal eyes, willing herself not to see him as the man who killed her parents.  Irina swallowed her bile. Suzerain Abran only liked those who were of use to him, knowing this is what has kept her alive. Her eyes held Abran's for a moment as she found her words.

"Further relations with Preena are suggested to gain more allies. Konrik Loren and Korak Fallyn were both agreeable," Irina dictated.

Abran took a moment to weigh his niece's words, observing her countenance, before sitting back slightly in his chair.

"You have gained useful knowledge on your excursion," he sighed.

Irina nodded.  "Insights that could only be shared with my uncle. As the hall would not wish to hear more upon the odyssey of becoming a lady. Koman Sutter hardly tolerated it on the journey home."

The soft laughter in the room did well to camouflage the curse Shaed sent Irina.

"Very true, let the court retire so that the Suzerain family can visit," Abran announced.

The persons within the hall quickly fell to one knee when Suzerain Abran stood. He passed with one hand in beckoning towards his son and niece. Abran exited with his family dutifully following behind. There were no words of warmth, even when the doors to Abran's study closed. Instead, the reigning Suzerain poured three glasses of whisky. He picked up one, leaving his son and niece what remained, and walked to his desk.

The fire flickered spirits across the wall for a few moments as the family took a sip to calm their nerves.

"Now tell me what should really be done for Jude," Abran ordered.

The cousins exchanged a heavy gaze before settling into their favorite chairs. As youths, these chairs were taken whenever lectures for improper behavior were to follow. Now, the chairs were where they proved themselves as the future leaders of Jude.  Well, Zakarus would be the leader of Jude.  Irina would remain a useful pawn.  

"Did you not learn it is unladylike to snort dear niece?" Abran questioned.

"Yes, Uncle." Irina corrected her wayward thoughts with a grim smile.

Abran nodded.  "Now tell me of this Konrik and Korak."

Irina sighed, looking into her whisky before beginning.  "Konrik Loren and Korak Fallyn are an interesting diplomatic pair. One hardly seems aware he should be of importance, while the other seems to be hiding a dagger within the folds of her petticoats. It is true, Uncle Abran, do not look at me so dubiously. Korak Fallyn knew of your grand plans for Vetus and little discretion when expressing her interest in aligning with you."

"Cousin Irina did well in securing her confidence," Zakarus interjected

"She hardly made it difficult. Korak Fallyn wished to use me to gain access to your arm all evening. The lady is highly aware of political games; I believe we shared tutors. Fortunately, I remain a better student. She gave away enough to indicate there is a mole in our court tied to her purse strings." Irina finished with a raised eyebrows and a sip of her drink.

"Did you ever feel in danger?" Abran pressed.

Irina held her uncle's gaze.  He almost looked concerned. Sometimes she became uncertain if he meant to manipulate or express familial devotion with his sentiment. The truth remained a difficult thing to discern since her uncle's life centered around politics.

"She could hardly touch Irina," Zakarus cut in. "Though she has refused to fight for many years, my confidence has never wavered in her skills."

"Thank you. Though, Korak Fallyn thinks me too meek to consider me an adversary. She is more concerned with Princess Amnicity. She did not seem happy following your dance with the princess."

"What dance?" Abran asked.

Zakarus shifted slightly in his seat.  "I requested to danced the waltz with Princess Amnicity and spoke with her in the gardens."  

"I see," Abran nodded.  "How did King Valander and Queen Christlaine react to this?"

"As well as can be expected," Zakarus shrugged.  "They are probably trying to secure a match for her as we speak."

"Then, the question becomes, what game shall we play?" Abran questioned, causing the cousins to glance at one another before Zakarus spoke.

Nothing pleased Suzerain Abran more than seeing the heirs be of worth. The late Suzerains and Suzeras must be exultant, glistening down upon them from the heavens. May they rest in peace for the good they have done for Jude.

Abran hoped he would be with them soon.

***

Yes, another shorter chapter...  but, I hope y'all enjoyed the second half of "For Jude."  Now, what shall these Judians do?  Thoughts?