dales obelisk, a kanlu krimson detective story
TRANSCRIPT
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Cover
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DLite Press
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Dales Obelisk:A Kanlu Krimson Detective Story
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Dales Obelisk
A Kanlu Krimson Detective Story
By G.K. Peart
Two months have passed since the death of
Commissioner Ryuubi and peace has returned toDaleor so we thought. Prince Kanlu's philanthropic
visit to the slums leads to the suspicious death of Lady
Kouhime, the community leader. His fiance, Ruri,
may know more of the story behind the incident then
she lets on and his own subordinates are proving
treacherous. The prince must deal with old foes and
confront new suspects as he searches for allies to find
the secret that lurks in the shadow of Dale's Obelisk.
Table of ContentCover
Title Page
Copyright_Page
Summary
Dales Obelisk: A Short Story
About_the_Author
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Dales Obelisk
A Kanlu Krimson Detective Story
By G.K. Peart
On the circle where the tip ofDales Obelisk
denies the second light of the Harvest Moon, the
goddess vines part to reveal the path created by the
burning water.
The wanton billowing winds were a telltale sign
of the dawning autumn season. Farmers would soon
take to their fields for harvest, and exotic
preservatives like honey and salt would flood the busy
market streets of Dale. People had begun to prepare,
stocking their food supplies for the coming months of
cold. The elven metropolis of Dale, the center of
governance over the island of Ilkupir, the easternmost
island and territory belonging to the ImmerallianEmpire, is a city built upon a large hill and divided
into eight levels or floors. These floors are separated
by large gates and towering walls. The top most floor
houses the Imperial Palace of Dale, home to the kings
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second son who rules over the island as governor.
Additionally, the Dragons Tower is a massive spire
that stretches into the sky and can be seen from manymiles away as an enigmatic symbol for the people.
The floors descend in a class order with the
uppermost floors being occupied by nobles and high-
ranking military officials. Well-to-do merchants alsomake their homes in the upper spectrum followed by
middle-class laborers, artisans, and craftsmen. Smiths
of all sorts continue to fill the ranks until you get
down to some servants that live away from their
masters home. Finally you reach the Untouchables
who only wish to get by through life, not asking for too
much. On the bottom floor, away from the main
streets, in the slums, were where these unwelcomed
ones reside.
Here the roads were dirt paths, soggy from past
rainfall and human waste. Four elven men carried
pieces of wood, straw and other materials as they
sloshed their way down the street. The houses they
passed, mostly made of simple wood and mud, had
reinforced ceilings and scrappy insulations around the
doors and windows. The four men ran up to the only
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stone and brick house in the area. It was a patch
worked job with brick and stone intertwined, built
with whatever was on hand. Even so, it was clearlylarger than all the others and much more elaborate.
Just outside the house stood an old elf woman
with her hands together behind her back as she
patiently waited. Her graying hair was done up in abun at the back of her head and she stood hunched,
wearing a brown kimono. She seemed to have just
finished a discussion with another lady as a woman in
a fancy dress was departing in the opposite direction
as the men arrived.
Were back, Lady Kouhime! one man shouted
in a deep, overly cheerful voice. He was clearly older
the other men. He dropped his load of wood by the
house and wiped the sweat from his brow with the
sleeve of his kimono.
I cant begin to thank you enough for all of
your help, Mr. Sanada, the woman said in a shaky
voice. She bowed shallowly to him as the other three
men put their goods down next to the first pile. Two of
the three were breathing heavily and leaned against
the house as they caught their breaths. The last man
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was slightly different than the rest of them. Aside
from not being exhausted, he had light brown skin
covered by a simple gray-brown patterned kimonoand the short, thin black hair was nappy and unkempt
on his head.
Ha-ha, no problem at all Lady Kouhime,
Sanada said loudly. Its a good workout for these kidshere. They dont make youngins like they used to! All
right, lets get to work! No slacking off! he shouted
back at the men who were resting on the wall. Ah,
Kanlu, thanks again for coming out to help, he said
as he turned to the last male. Its always great to have
an extra free hand around.
Not at all, Kanlu responded politely. It is
always a good break from what I usually do, to come
out here and help. A country exists because of its
people, so I will do what I can to help increase
everyones comfort level to prolong the prosperity of
our country.
The men went to work, fortifying the stone
house. Other do-gooders in the area seemed to be
doing similar jobs to their small huts. The sun slowly
shifted in the sky and the street slowly dried as
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kimonos and other forms of clothing became
drenched in perspiration. But then a large group of
footsteps could be heard, drawing closer to the house.Work of all sorts in the slums drew to a halt as all eyes
turned to see what was causing the commotion. A
palanquin, a norimono of elaborate design, carried by
two elven men finely dressed when compared to the
people in the slums and an escort of six soldiers
from the Elemental Guard had arrived in the slums.
The guardsmen wore white shirts with bright red
hakamas as leggings symbolizing that they belonged
to the Holy Division of the Elemental Guard. Theconvoy stopped just before the stone-brick house and
the palanquin was set down as the four working men
approached to see what was causing such a ruckus.
The whispers of the populace had become a persistent
buzz of gossip.
After a quick glance at the four men, one
guardsman leaned close to the curtains and whispered
inside. He then stepped away as the silk curtains of
the norimono parted to reveal the beautiful butterfly
within the cocoon. A young woman sat inside with her
hand gently grasping the tassel. A wondrous kimono
of pink and red wrapped tightly around her slim
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frame while an almost transparent, golden shawl flew
mystically around her with each blow of the wind.
Atop her head, her vibrant, dark hair was done intsubuichi style adorned with purple-pink toned
kanzashi. Her face, covered with pure white makeup,
highlighted her large, dark eyes as well as her bright
red lips. Seemingly awed by her presence the crowd
went silent as she scanned everything within visual
range. Finally her eyes came to rest on the young man
named Kanlu. Her eyes narrowed in scrutiny as she
glared at him. She pursed her lips and carefully
inspected the mud and grime covering his clothing.Finally her delicate lips parted as she uttered her first
words.
Why are you in this filthy place, your
majesty?! she demanded in a firm, condescending
tone. As her words landed upon ears, panicked
whispering of awe disseminated throughout the
crowd. Though the Prince was revered, he seldom
appeared in public and did most tasks behind the
scenes. Instead, it was usually the woman before them
now who would take up the task of handling most
public duties.
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My dear Ruri, you are as pulchritudinous as
ever, even when angry! Kanlu said. He stepped
forward from the house to the awe of his fellowworkers and moved towards the palanquin. Will you
not come out and see the work that I have done?
I will not! she stated defiantly. The
deplorable conditions in these slums are suited forneither you nor I.
That is precisely why I am here now, Kanlu
responded innocently. The reason I have been
coming here for many years is to help increase thestandard of living of people in the slums.
Nonsense! Ruri shrieked to everyones and
her own surprise. She had rapidly brought her hand
and sleeve to her mouth, though it was already too
late to prevent the word from escaping. She took a
deep breath and almost gagged on the lingering putrid
odor in the air, so she kept her hand and sleeve
covering her face. Prince Kanlu, as your fiance and
the former Princess of Dale, I do thoroughly support
your commitment to the people. However, please
leave Ruri briefly paused mid-sentence when
Kouhime appeared from within the house. She quickly
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resumed where she had left off and began carefully
lifting the bottom of her kimono as she shakily
stepped out of the palanquin, her sandals sinking intothe mud. please leave the realization of your
philanthropic endeavors to other subordinates and
staff. Now please return with me to the palace and
take a proper shower. There are pressing matters that
need your attention. She ended with a shallow yet
humble bow.
I understand Ruri. Please raise your head. You
have no reason to bow to me. But if I am to return
with you, shall we share that palanquin then? As he
said the words, an indescribable expression of
trepidation and utter repugnance manifested itself on
Ruris beautiful face. Kanlu laughed and waved off the
idea. That was merely a jest, love. I will commandeer
another palanquin once we reach the main street.
Ruri nodded in affirmation and once again
carefully lifted her kimono. She slipped out of her
sandals and back into the norimono, leaving the
footgear abandoned in the mud. Kanlu then turned
around to address the people at the house with
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farewells and walked alongside the palanquin as the
convoy departed.
The royal convoy emerged at the main market
circle. A large stone obelisk stood erect, casting its
shadow on the circle. Markings along the wall and
ground indicated the time of month and day
corresponding with the season depending on wherethe shadow fell. The circle bustled with activity and
movement, and despite their grandiose appearance,
the convoy fell into the mix of carts, palanquins,
animals and people, all moving about. An armor
shops door swung to and fro as warriors and
adventurers sought the best defensive items available.
A patron exited a store with a small red maple tree
and a bag of various seedlings; in the window of the
store was a picture of a girl dressed in the wonders of
nature with vines curling around her body. This is
Central Dragons Ascent, the market circle on the first
level that welcomed all who passed through the main
gates into Dale.
I shall part with you here and meet you back
at the palace, Kanlu said to his fiance.
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Please be quick, your majesty. Do remember
that we have a ceremonial ball to attend that is being
hosted by the Maishiro clan.
Of course, he said with a nod. He then
disappeared amongst the sea of people. He found two
human men at rest with a decent kobe palanquin
unoccupied. He instructed them to take him to theElemental Guard headquarters on the seventh floor,
the last building before the final gate to the palace.
Kanlu arrived at the gates of a grand facility.
Armed guards stood at the gates and patrolled thewalls, wearing hakamas of various colors. As the
palanquin approached, the guards moved to search
inside but were waved off after the inhabitant
identified himself. After entering the grounds and
being set down before the doors of a building, Kanlu
stepped out, mud-covered and smelly. He ordered a
few guards to prepare payment for the transport while
he proceeded inside. Boldly and briskly, he walked
through making his way towards the barracks of the
Flame Division. Along the way, both training cadets
and veteran staff stopped to stare and salute, speaking
in whispers after he had passed. By the time he
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reached the sleeping quarters, word of his arrival had
already reached ahead of him and a grandiose
welcoming awaited him at the entrance. Packed intothe foyer and along the balcony stood a crowd of
guardsmen, at least sixty in number. The upper
balcony was filled entirely by troops wearing red
shirts and black hakamas, each with a katana on his
hip with the occasional wakizashi present. In front of
a large picture with a green vine border, a wide
staircase protruded from a balcony to a landing, and
from there the stairs split in two opposite directions,
perpendicular to where they joined. Each bullnoseopened up to separate corridors leading underneath
the balcony with a corresponding passageway directly
above as well. Underneath the landing a door bore the
insignia of the royal family, a single black and orange
striped K with red fires burning on the top, white
smoke rising from the fires and forming a circle,
capturing the letter inside. On the ground floor, many
different colors were mixed in the outfits of the
troops, but the group that was most prevalent was the
guardsmen in front of the door. There were many of
them standing together, wearing jet black hakamas
and shirts. Amongst them, one guardsman stood out.
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She was an elf, perhaps two heads shorter than
Kanlu but with an aura almost equally as feared in the
room. Her long black hair was tied together in aponytail and kept together in a thin paper wrapping
all the way down to her waist. So thin was the
wrapping, one could connect a thumb and index
finger around it and have extra space to squeeze. She
too wore a jet-black hakama and shirt, but went one
step further by having an equally as black open
kimono with just a slight white lined border in
contrast. A katana and wakizashi were sheathed and
slung on her back in the shape of an X. She formed afist with her right hand and brought it over her heart
in a salute. As she did so, the rest of the room followed
suit in an echoing roar. She then stepped forward and
went to kneel in front of Kanlu.
My lord, it has been
No! Stop that! Shina, please stand up, now!
Kanlu ordered in whispers.
As you wish, Shina responded as she rose.
Commander, to what honor do we owe the pleasure
of your visit to Headquarters? Kanlu stared at her
incredulously, his eyes wide is shock.
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Honor? Pleasure? Shina, please, I am filthy,
covered in mud, tired, and definitely smell of
yesterdays trash. He said quickly. The prince thenpointed at the door with the insignia, I came here to
use the circle in my office to go to the palace and then
wash off. Thats all, so could you do me a favor and
send everyone back to their posts.
Right away, my lord! Shina turned to face the
guardsmen and ordered them back to their posts.
After saluting one more time, they slowly began to
dissipate, vanishing into the many paths that led to
different areas.
Thank you. Kanlu began walking towards the
door and Shina followed him.
My lord, I have a report to give you.
Go ahead, he said as he opened the door.
Shina began talking about findings on some of her
missions, supply requests, and conflicts with other
parties and organizations in the missions from which
she and her squad had returned. She then began
explaining what the other captains were doing and
why they were not able to be present for his arrival.
Kanlu mildly listened to her report, storing some key
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bits of information in the back of his head, while he
opened a closet and pulled out some clothes. He then
stepped on a small platform and waited until Shinafinished talking.
Thank you Captain Hayashikawa. Just to
follow protocol, write up a summary of that
information and submit it records. Also, leavemembers of your Shadow Division
Ah, Darkness Division, CommanderPrince
Killik ordered that
To hell with my brother! Have extra members
of your unit on guard duty tonight around Ruri and I.
We have a ball to attend with the Maishiro clan and
they have a history with the Tenshi family.
Absolutely.
Excellent, then take care. Kanlu transferred a
bit of his magical powers to the platform and the
circle began to shine. A few seconds later he was
looking at an entirely different scene from his office.
He appeared in a humble room. Not humble in
regards to the living conditions of the people in the
slums, but humble in regards to the stature of the
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rooms owner. The wood and paper walls were painted
with various pictures from villages and people to
roaming animals like lions and tigers. A low desk wasin the room facing Kanlu with a large, red cushion
with golden furls weaved around it. On top of the desk
were several papers and documents, as well as a black
feather quill and a bottle of ink. Behind him, seven
smaller cushions lay scattered throughout the small
room.
Three pairs of footsteps could be heard walking
past Kanlu from the front to the back on his left side,
on the other side of the wall. As they stopped, there as
a light knock on one of the walls and a door behind
him on the left side wall slid open. Maids entered the
room wearing simple brown kimonos, the two
youngest were adolescent half-humans while the
oldest was a young elf. She spoke first.
My prince, welcome back. We were ordered by
Lady Ruri to escort you to the baths once you arrived,
she said as she bowed.
I see; sorry for the trouble. Anya, Brigitta,
would you to carry these for me? Kanlu politely asked
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as he separated the clothes he was carrying into two
small loads.
Y...Yes! they said in unison with their cute
voices. When they both moved forward to receive the
clothing, Kanlu couldnt help but smile as he noticed
their faces change as their noses twitched upon
receiving a welcoming wave of odor from his person.
Kanlu followed the lead of the first maid as the
younger two followed behind him. They walked about,
passing other maids, guardsmen and soldiers, all the
while Kanlu continued to announce his smellypresence with the odor that emanated from his
person. After going down the stairs and around a few
more turns, the maid slid open the door to the hot
springs. Kanlu alone undressed in the room, leaving
the rancid kimono he wore in a basket on the ground.
He slid open another set of doors and steam rushed
forward overwhelming him. He was in his private
indoor hot spring, a place where he could relax in
solitude. The bath itself had stone flooring to give the
appearance of it being outdoors. The pool of water
was wide, large enough of to hold two or three of the
small huts he saw in the slums. Along the right side
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wall was a small area for one to wash ones body
before submerging in the hot bath. To his right was
another path with a small curtain hanging only halfway down. Through it, the elf maid emerged wearing a
thin white kimono. In her hands she was carrying a
small tray of cups, sake and snacks. She was a bit
surprised that the prince was already waiting but
made haste with preparations and beckoned him over
to a small stool to be washed.
She gently poured warm water over his body
and collected scented soap in her hands. She worked
her hands with the rag in a refined manner across his
body. From his broad, back to his well-toned arms
and legs, she cleaned his body while his mind was in a
daze, thinking. After his body was rinsed once more,
he got up from the stool and moved towards the bath.
He removed his towel, placing it on his head, as he
entered the water, sinking to his waist. He submerged
his body beneath the water leaving his chin just above
the surface. Stretching his arms out, he leaned against
the stone wall as the maid placed the tray in the water.
It floated next to him, bearing a cup of sake and a
plate of edamane beans. She herself sat seiza next to
the bath on a small cushion with a bottle of sake at the
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ready and a branch of grapes. As the prince drank
from the cup, she would immediately refill it. The
tranquility of the room continued until
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Summary: Dale's Obelisk by G.K. PeartTwo months have passed since the death of Commissioner
Ryuubi and peace has returned to Daleor so we thought.Prince Kanlu's philanthropic visit to the slums leads to the
suspicious death of Lady Kouhime, the community leader.
His fiance, Ruri, may know more of the story behind the
incident then she lets on and his own subordinates are
proving treacherous. The prince must deal with old foes
and confront new suspects as he searches for allies to findthe secret that lurks in the shadow of Dale's Obelisk.
DLite PressP.O. Box 824
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About the AuthorG.K. Peart, is currently a student at Drexel University
studying accounting. The son of two Jamaican
immigrants, he grew up in a family of five with twoolder sisters. While young, he developed a fascination
of Japanese culture and customs. Dales Obeliskis his
second short story. His first,Commissioner Ryuubi
was published in 2012.
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