1. law, govt and politics
2. armed forces
3. army

TheTwoEmpires
ByJackKBurroughs
ThisfirsteditionpublishedbyJackBurroughs,2013
Textandcoverart©JackBurroughs,2013
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theauthorofthiswork
Allrightsreserved
Thisbookoranyportionthereofmaynotbereproduced
orusedinanymannerwhatsoeverwithouttheexpress
writtenpermissionofthepublisherexceptfortheuseof
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Acknowledgements
Thisbookhasbeenalongtimeinthemaking,andthere
arealotofpeoplewhohavehelpedoutinallsortsof
ways.You’vegivenmeideas,sometimeswithout
knowingit,andyou’vegivenmetheencouragement
withoutwhichthiswouldhaveprobablyneverhavebeen
morethanafewchaptersinsomeforgottencornerofmy
harddrive.
Moredirectly,IoweabigthankyoutoRobinForrest,
JosephSalmonandMarkAbbottforreadingprevious
versionsofthemanuscriptandgivingmeinvaluable
feedback(andofcoursespottingmymanyerrorsalong
theway).It’scomealongwaysincethoseolddrafts,and
Ihopeyoucannowenjoythefinishedproduct.
Thanksarealsoduetoallthoseteachersovertheyears
whohelpedmetoimproveasawriter-inparticularMr
Deanforreadinganextremelyearlyversionofthefirst
chapter.
Finally,I’mextremelythankfultomyparentsforinfecting
mewithsuchacompulsiveloveofreading,whichleadme
intowritingmyownstories.Thisbookwouldmost
certainlynotbeherewithoutyou.
ForMumandDad
ChapterOne
ThelateautumnsunbeatdownoverthetownofRayford,butsoonit
wouldgivewaytothecoldfrostofwinter.Shadedbyasmallcanopyfixed
tohismaster’sshop,Jaggartheapprenticecobblerworkedonasmallpair
ofshoes.He’dstartedonthematseveno’clockthatmorning,andnow
therewasonlyanotherhourtogobeforehecouldfinishforthedayand
getreadyforthedancetonight.
Helikedhiswork,andwasgladtobelearningatradethatwould
hopefullyallowhimtosupporthimselfinthefuture,evenifhedid
sometimesdreamofmoreexcitingcareers,suchaswizardryorservicein
theImperialLegions.Heknewhelackedthebrainsorpatiencerequired
fortheformer,whilehistwiceweeklytrainingwiththeRayfordYoung
Militialefthimwithlittledoubtthathewasn’tcutoutforthelattereither.
Hisparentshadchosenhisprofessionforhim,beforetheyhadmoved
awaywhenhewasfourandlefthiminthecareofashoemaker.Thatwas
fourteenyearsago;noweighteenJagwouldsoonhavefinishedhis
apprenticeshipandwouldbeabletostarthisownbusiness.Hewasn’t
reallysurewhathewoulddothen;obviouslyhewouldbeacobbler,but
wouldhesetupshophere,orsomewhereelse?Timewasrunningoutfor
himtomakehismindup.
Ashewasstitchinghebecameawareofsomethingmovinginthe
cornerofhisvision.Tohissurpriseitwasthelaces,whichweresomehow
tyingthemselvesintoaperfectbow.Helookedupinconfusiontosee
Charley,agirlofhisagewhohadbeenagoodfriendforthelastfewyears.
Shewaspalefromlonghoursofstudybuthadahealthyflushtoher
cheeks,andherglossyblackhairatshoulderlengthspokeofdailycare.
WhenhehadtakenupshoemakingCharleyhadbecomeamage’s
apprentice,muchtotheenvyofthetown’sotherchildren.Jaghadalways
thoughtherfartooprettyforwizard’srobes.
“HiJag,”shegrinned.“Iseeyourtraining’sgoingwell.”
“Nottoobad,”heconceded.“Ineedn’taskaboutyours-nicetrick
withthelaces.Youseemtobedoingwell.”
“Mymasterwouldn’tthinkso.He’dsayitwasawasteofmy
talentsandadisgracetotheart.Butthenthehypocritedoesusemagicto
lighthisstudy.Youmustbenearlyqualifiednow,then?”
“Well,Ifinishmyapprenticeshipinthreemonths,soIguessI’d
betterbedecidingwhattodo.”Hefrownedandputhisworkdown.“It
doesseemsilly,though,thatI’vespentthelastelevenyearslearningand
allIcandoforalivingismakeandmendshoes.IwishI’dlearntsomething
exciting,likeyouhave.”
“Believeme,magic’snotnearlyasglamorousasyoulotseemto
think.Whatdoyouthinkwewizardsdo?”
“Well...Isupposeyou...chantspells...dancearoundfires...thatsort
ofthing...”Itsoundeddaftashesaidit,butthatwaswhattheydidinthe
storiesfromthefewbookshe’dreadafterlearninglettersatTemple.
Charleylaughed.“Notquite,I’mafraid.It’smorealongthelinesof
memorisingobscureandunintelligibleoldbooks,scrubbingthemaster’s
houseandmakingbraveattemptsatorganizingthepileofuselessjunkhe
callsastudy.I’vebeenstudyingforelevenyearsandI’vejustabout
learnedtotieshoelacesattwoyards.Iwouldn’texactlydescribemagicas
acrashcourse.”
Asshespokeshegesturedwithafingeratthebareearthather
feet.Apatternwasscratchingitselfintothesoil,aletterCembellished
withtwistingroses.He’dseenherusingitashersymbolbefore,sealing
thelettershe’doccasionallyreceivedwhichhadalwayssethisheart
racing.“Mindyou,onceyouknowtheso-calledbasicsit’ssupposedtobe
easier.Haveyouseenwhatthereallygoodwizardscando?Mymaster’s
notthebestintheland,buthecouldsummonthedaemonsofthePittodo
hisbidding,orsohetellsme.Notthathe’dwantto,mind.”Sheshuddered.
“DidyouhearaboutthatdwarfwizardfromAxeholdlastyear?No?
Supposedlyhetriedtosummonsomedaemonbutcouldn’tcontrolit,so
themonsterrampagedthroughhalftheholdbeforetheycouldstopit.”
“Whataboutmixingpotionsthen?”Hefelthewasonsaferground
here;hesometimesranintoCharleyatmarketwhenshevisitedthe
apothecary.
“Ah,you’regettingclosernow.Lookatthese.”Charleytooka
smallleatherbagfromoverhershoulderandemptiedthecontentsonto
thefloor.Mainlytherewerethingslikeplants,butsomelookedlikeparts
fromanimals,carefullypickledintinyglassjars.“Right,sowe’vegot
silvermossforgeneralhealingpotionsandtreatingcuts,someratanda
tailsformakingawaterproofoil.Oh,andsomecrushedpale-lilyformy
face.”
“Isthatsomemagicointment?”
“No,it’smymake-up.”Theybothlaughed,andthenCharleybit
herlipinannoyance.“Oh,goodness,I’dbettergetgoing.Iwassentoutfor
someeggsfromoneofthefarms,andafterthatI’msupposedtocookthem
forthemaster.IfI’mlatehemightnotletmeouttonight.You’regoingto
theGuildBalltonight,aren’tyou?Imightseeyouthere.Howabouta
dance?Anyway,haveagoodevening!”calledCharleyoverhershoulderas
shejoggedawaydownthestreet.
“Yes!”criedJagassoonasshehaddisappearedfromsight,
punchingtheair.
“Shesaidwhat?”
“Itoldyou,shesaidshe’ddancewithmeattheball.”Jagandhis
friendTommy,whoworkedatagrocer’sshop,weresittingintheSixShips
tavernandJaghadjustdescribedhismeetingwithCharleyearlier.TheSix
Shipswasdirty,smoky,occasionallyrowdyandgenerallyregardedasan
idealmeetingplacefortheboysofRayford.Everyoneelsetriedtoavoidit.
JagandTommyhadasmalltabletothemselvesinthecorneroftheroom
andtheyounggrocerhadnearlyfallenfromhischairinsurprise.
“JaggarGarrick,youluckydevil!I’vetriedtogethertogotothe
GuildBallwithmeforthepastthreeyears.Howeverdidyoumanagethat
one?”
“Mynaturalcharm?”Jagsuggested.
Tommysnorted.“Yeah,right.I’dsayyou’dhadaspellcastonher
ifIthoughtyoucouldaffordit.Ican’tbelieveyourluck.”Heshookhishead.
“Anyway,beforeIforget,oldWilkinsfromthegatehousewantedtosee
youaboutsomeoddjobs.”Jaggroaned.“Notsurprisingreally,Idoubtthat
gatewouldsurviveastrongwind,nevermindanattack.”
“Anattack?Asifwe’lleverbeattacked.Ahwell,bettertobesafe,
andIcoulddowiththemoney.I’llbeovertheretonighttoseewhathe
needs,beforetheball.”Hesighed.“IwishIwasamage.IbetCharleycould
havetherooffixedinfiveminutes.”
“What,youamage?Youneedbrains.”Tommysniggered,andJag
glaredathim.“Itwouldbefun,though.Mygrandadoncesawareally
powerfuloneoverinRaybridge.Hewashavingamagicalduel.The
wizard,thatis,notgrandad.Thereweretwowizards,throwingaround
fireballsandsummoningmonstersallovertheplaceuntiltheguardsled
themoff.”Tommyshookhishead.“Istillcan’tbelievethis.Ohwell,
perhapsit’llbemyturnnextyear.”Tommyfinishedhisdrinkandstood
up.“Seeyouthisevening,then.Ioughttogetbacktomymumnow,and
yououghttogetovertothegatehousebeforedark.IthinkWilkinswanted
whateveritwasdonesoon.”WiththatTommyleft.Hismotherwasill,so
theboyhadtolookafterher.Ishouldbegoingtoo.
Wilkins,thegatekeeper,wasanoldmanandconstantlyinneedof
oddjobsdoing,andasafriendofJag’smasteritoftenfelltohimtohelp
out.Itwasprobablyjustrepairingsomeslatesontheroof.AsTommyhad
said,thegatehousewassomewherebeyonddilapidated,andintruth
probablypastthestagewhereinarichertownitwouldhavebeen
demolishedandreplaced.
Ithadonlybeenputtothetesttwiceinthelasttwocenturies.A
hundredyearsagoorcshadlastmarcheddownfromtheMaw,agigantic
chasmstretchingformilesfromwherealltheevilcreaturesintheworld
stemmed,ifthestoriescouldbebelieved.
Morerecently,RayfordhadavoidedtheworstoftheMannicWars
justfiftyyearsago;thewallshadbeenenoughtokeepoutthemarauding
bandsofMannarworshipersthatterrorisedmuchoftheland.Sincethe
returnofpeacenoonehadbotheredrepairingthegateandithadfallen
almostintoruin.
Notwantingtobelatefortheevening’sparty,Jagleftthebarand
madehiswayoutsidetothegatehouse.TonightwasthenightoftheGuilds
Ball,thebiggesteventintheRayfordyear.Jaghadalwaysenjoyedit,and
thisyearwasshapinguptobethebestyet,despitethekilljoysthathad
beencallingforittobecancelled.Apparentlyitwascorruptingthetown’s
youth.Well,maybeitwas,butasfarasJagwasconcernedthatwasnobad
thing.
Thoughmostpeoplewereeitheratworkoralreadygetting
themselvesready,inthispartoftownatleasttherewasthesoundof
heavydrinkingspillingoutfromthemanytaverns,alongwithseveral
drunkardsthemselves.ThiswastheroughestpartofRayfordandno
sensiblepersonwouldvisititafterdark-oratall,ifpossible.
Makinghiswayovertherubbishandonceamanhehopedvery
muchwasmerelyasleep,JagfinallyfoundhimselfinNorthgateStreet,
whichledoutofRayford.Attheendstoodthegateitself.Itwasabout
thirty-fivefeethigh,withacentraltowerextendinganothertenfeet.Set
intotheroughstoneworkwasawidegate.Ithadaportcullisprotruding
slightlyfromthetop,butJagdoubtedwhetheritworkedanymore.A
narrowstaircaseleduptothetower,whereWilkinslived.
JustashewasabouttostartupthestairsJagwasbroughttoa
haltbytheboomofagong.Tobeginwithhecouldn’trememberwhatit
meant,buthewasawarethatitwasextremelyimportant.Hehadheardit
before,butwhen?Itwasalongtimeago,butthememorywas
accompaniedbynolittlefear.
Asecondlater,withanotherboomfromabove,itcameflooding
backtohim.WhenhewasabouteightafirehadbrokenoutinGuildstreet.
Itwasputdowntoarsonintheend,butherememberedthegongtolling
outthen.Aswellasstandingwatchingthefirebeingextinguished,Jag
rememberedhismasterstandinginfrontofhim,drillingintohimthat
shortfastbangs,likethen,signifiedfire,andthatlongslowbangsstoodfor
attack.Thegongnowwassoundingslowlyanddeeply.
Attack!Surelytherehadtobeamistake.Rayfordcan’tbeunder
attack!Couldit?
HisfearswereswiftlyconfirmedwhenhisoldfriendWilkins
toppledfromthetopofthetower,anarrowthroughhisthroat.Jag’sshock
quicklygaverisetorapidlyrisingpanic,butsomehowhemanagedtokeep
acoolhead.Hedidn’tknowwhatwasoutthere,butitcertainlywasn’t
friendlyandhadtobestopped.Therefore,themostlogicalthingtodo
wouldbetoclosethegate.
Jagsprintedupthestepsandcrashedthroughthedoor.Hewas
inWilkins’homenow.Rememberingthetimehehadrepairedsomeofthe
castellations,Jagfoundthestairsleadingupwards.Theroofwas
surroundedbyalowwall,andinthemiddlestoodthreewheels,onefor
eachgateandanotherfortheportcullis.
Jagwasonhiswayovertothemwhenahailofarrowsshattered
onthestonefloorinfrontofhim.Heinstinctivelyduckedbackinside,
beforeseizinghischancetodashforthecoveroftheblockofstoneholding
thewheelswhiletheunseenarchersreloaded.Partofhimjustwantedto
fleebackinside,buthecouldseethatthegateshadtobeclosedandthat
hewastheonlyoneinapositiontodoso.
NowJagcouldhearbloodthirstycriesfromoutsidethewalls.
Theychilledhimtothebone,fortheycamefromnohumanthroat.He
reacheduptoturnoneofthewheelsandheardaterriblescreechfrom
belowhimastheport-cullisdescendedacoupleoffeetbeforejamming.
Cursing,Jagyankedthewheelashardashecould,andwasrewardedwith
itsnappingoffinhishands.
Tossingtheuselesswheelaside,hetriedanother.Thisonewas
muchsmoother,beingusedeverynight,butasthewoodengateslowly
swunghalfwayclosedthewheelabruptlybegantospinintheopposite
direction,smackingintohislefthandsohardhethoughtitmighthave
broken.Fromthecriesbelow,bothmonstrousandhuman,heguessed
thattheattackershadrunstraightintothegate,forcingitopenthrough
sheerweightofnumbers.
Jagrantothetownsideofthetowerandlookeddowntoseethe
streetfillingwithanonrushingmassofgreen-skinnedhumanoids:orcs!
Thoughhehadneverseenonebefore,Jagwaswellawareofthemthrough
thestoriesoftheirbloodthirstyattacks.Sevenfeethighwithboar-like
facestheyweresaidtobebothwillingandcapableofrippingamanlimb
fromlimb.
Ignoringthepaininhishand,Jagtrieddesperatelytodecide
whattodo.Therewasnothingelsehecoulddohere,andleavingintothe
streetwouldbesuicide.Andbesides,evenifhecouldescapethe
gatehouse,whatcouldhedothen?
Thestreetwasasceneofslaughterastheorcs,stillpilingthrough
thegate,hackedtheirwaythroughtheunarmedtownsfolkfleeingdeeper
intothetown.Anywherewouldbesaferthanhere;thefrontlineofthe
attackwasmorelikeanabattoir.
Atlasthesawhiswayout.Thegatehousetowerwasacoupleof
feethigherthanthesurroundingbuildingsandhemightjustbeableto
leaptoanearbyroof.Theonetohisrightlookedpromising:onlytwo
yards’gap,nottooslopedandwithastrongguttertolandon.
Jagmadearunforit,onlytoskidtoahaltanddivebacktocover
asanarrowlandedaheadofhim.Cursing,herealisedhe’dhavetotake
somerisksorbetrappedontheroofuntiltheorcscameuptokillhim.
Jagtriedagain,ignoringthearrowsfallingallaround,andthis
timereachedtheedgeoftheroof.Astepmoreputhimontopofthewall
fromwherehekickedoff.Hesoaredoverthegap,planningtocontinue
running,butlandedbadlyandfellforward,banginghischinontheslope
oftheroof.Regaininghisfeetassoonashecould,Jagclimbedoverthe
peak,puttinghimontheothersideoftherooftothearchers.
Hewasnowaboveadesertedalleyway,sohedroppeddownand
madehiswaycarefullyyetswiftlydowntowardsajunction.Hecouldstill
hearscreamsfromtheothersideofthebuildingandknewthatthe
invadingorcswouldbeabletoadvancequicklywithlittlehindrance.
Threeofthemilitiaintheleatherarmouroftownwatchpatrolranpast
hisalleyway,straightintoabandoforcs.Jagtriednottolisten.
Whentheorcshadmovedon,hebrieflylookedaroundforany
othersbeforeturningsqueamishlytothebodiesofthemilitia.Hewouldn’t
usuallystealfromthedead,butaweaponwoulddomoregoodinhis
handsthanthoseofthedeadsoldiers.Thoughnotalot.TheYoungMilitia
Clubmighthavetaughtthetown’sboyshowtouseswords,bowsandtheir
handsandfeet,butJagwasundernoillusionsthathewasevennearly
capableofdealingwithorcs.Still,atleasthecouldbearmedandhavea
chancetodefendhimself,whichwasmorethancouldbesaidforthe
othersbythegate.
Fearfrozehisheartasaninhumanbellowcamefromnearby.He
lookeduptoseealoneorcrunningathimfromanalleyway,brandishinga
crudeaxe.Jagsawhehadtwooptions:beslaughteredunarmedortryto
defendhimself.Thoughthelatteroptioncarriedonlyaslightlyhigher
chanceofsurvival,itfeltinfinitelymoreappealing.
Jagselectedaheavyandpowerful-lookingbroadswordfromthe
floorandliftedituptonearhishead.Whenhethoughttheorcwasnear
enoughheswungitinahorizontalarc,apowerfulblowaimedto
decapitatethevilethinginfrontofhim.
Theswingwasfartooslowandtheorcduckedeasilyunderit,
lettingtheswordbitedeepintothewallofthebuilding.Jagwasforcedto
staggerclumsilybackwardstoavoidbeingsplitopenbythebeast’sreturn
chop.Heretreatedbuttheorcfollowed,grinningevillyasitreadiedits
ownbladeforakillingblow.Takinganotherstepbackward,Jagwas
horrifiedtofeelastonewallathisback.Lookslikethisisit.
Asthebladeslicedthroughtheairinfrontofhim,seeminglyin
slowmotion,Jagdivedintheonlydirectionlefttohim:down.Theblade
missedhimbyafewinchesandtheorcpreparedtofinishhimoff.Hewas
nowsprawledontheflooratthemonster’sfeet.Asabrelayonthefloor
nearby,droppedbyoneofthemilitiamen.Hegrabbeditdesperatelyand
hackedattheorc’sleg.Thegreenskinnedmonsterhowledinpainand
ragebutcollapsedtothefloor,cursingtherapidlyfleeingfigureofJagin
itsgutturallanguage.
Jagwasmoreterrifiedthanhehadeverbeeninhislife,andwas
runningfasterthanhewouldeverhavethoughtpossible.Hewasalmost
overwhelmedbythescreams,theunintelligiblebattlecriesandthesmell,
andhefeltsicktothestomachatwhathehadseen.Hewasrunning
withoutpurpose,clutchingthesabretightly,butwithasuddenclarity
thatsurprisedhimherealizedthatsomewheretheremustbealineof
defence.Afterall,Rayfordhadasubstantialmilitia.Jagdoubtedtheycould
holdofftheassault,butitwouldsurelybebetterthanrunningblindly
untilhewasfinallycutdown.Theremightevenbeanevacuation.
Withaclangofmetalagainststoneacrossbowboltathisfeet
broughtJag’sattentionbacktohisimmediatedanger,andherealizedhe
wasrunningdowntheMainStreet.Withovertwohundredyardsofwide
openstreetbetweenhimandthetownsquare,wherethedefence,ifany,
wouldsurelybe,Jagknewthattotrytooutruntheorcsandtheirarrows
wouldbesuicide.Atthefirstpossiblechanceheturnedanddarteddowna
sidestreet.WithanylucktheorcswouldcontinuetheirchargedownMain
Streetbeforetheymovedontothemazeofsmallerstreets,givinghimthat
muchmoretime.Hewasquitepleasedwiththisplan,untilheranintoa
triooforcsasheroundedacorner.
Hisfirstreactionwastostrikeoutwiththesabrehewasstill
carrying,catchingthegroupbysurprisemorethananything,andgiving
himchancetosprintonpast.Assoonastheyrecoveredtheorcswereafter
him,followingateveryturningandgainingrapidly.
It’sagoodjobtheydon’thavecrossbows,otherwiseI’dbedead
already.Butthen,atthisrangeathrownswordoraxewouldbejustaslethal.
Anyway,sincewhenhaveorcsusedcrossbows?Withtheorcsjustfeetbehind
therewasreallynotimetowonder.
Jagstaggeredwhenhefeltasmalllineofpainonhisbackasone
oftheorcs’swipeshithome.Itwasn’tdeep,butitforcedJagtorealisethat
hecouldneveroutrunthem,evenwithafreshburstofspeed.Hehadtodo
somethingdifferent.
AshepassedadoorJagthrewhimselfagainstit,prayingtoevery
deityheknewthathewouldgetthrough.Withasplinterofwoodanda
painintheshoulderhedid,landinginahallway.Moreoninstinctthan
decisionJagrolledatahalf-opendoor,endingupinsomeone’skitchen.
Theonlyhidingplacethatpresenteditselfwasanopencupboard.He
guessedhissuddenchangeofdirectionhadgainedhimafewseconds,and
usedthistimetoopentheexteriordoorbeforeclimbingintothe
cupboard.Itwaslarge,butstilltoosmallforahumantofitincomfortably.
Asecondlaterthedoorburstopenandtheorcs,seeingthedoor
openandthekitchendeserted,immediatelyranstraightouttheback,
leavingJagtoescapethroughthefront
Thestreetwasnowdeserted,sothistimehedecidedtotrya
moresubtleprogress.Hemovedslowlyagainstthebuildingsatthesideof
theroad,pausingateachjunctiontocheckfororcsbeforecrossing.Atthe
entrancetoanalleyhenoticedwhatlookedlikealoadedcartpulledby
orcs,ofthekindthatfarmerswouldusetodelivercropstotown.Asit
drewcloserJagrealizedwithrevulsionthatitwaspiledhighwithcorpses
-humancorpses.Jagknewthatorcswerecarnivorous,andwereknownto
eathumans,buteventhemosthorrificstories,toldtotheboysby
merchants’guardsinsmoke-filledtaprooms,nevermentionedthem
collectingbodiesbythecartload.
Jaghidinadoorwayuntilthefoulthinghadpassed,leavingits
stenchbehind,thenmadehiswayintothestreetithadcomefrom.With
anylucktheorcswouldhavepassedonalready.Onceinthestreethe
checkedforitsname;ifhehadhisbearingsrightitwouldbeButcher
Street.Oh.TohisdisappointmenthesawthatitwasinfactMageLane.
That’swhereCharleylives!Jagrecognizedthehouse,halfwaydownwithan
imposingblackdoorandtwostoriesofbrick.He’dneverbeeninside,but
hadwalkedtherewithherwheneverthechancearose.
Heknewitwouldbefarmoresensibletocarryonandtrytofind
somedegreeofsafety,butJagjusthadtocheck.Hetriedtojustifyitto
himselfwiththethoughtthatifshewassomehowaliveherskillscould
helphimsurvive.Well,shecouldalwaystietheirshoelacestogether
Reachingthedoorhefounditalreadyajar,so,fearingwhathe
mightsee,hegingerlypusheditopenandsteppedthrough.Insidewasa
widehallwaywithanopendooronbothsidesandastaircaseattheend.
Jagcheckedthegroundfloorfirst.Oneroomwasalivingroomandthe
otherakitchen,bothdesertedyetclearlylooted-furniturehadbeen
overturnedandpossessionsscattered.
Upthestairswasalandingwiththreedoorsleadingofffromit.
ThefirstledtoCharley’smaster’sbedroom,inthesamestateas
downstairs.Thesecondwasthewizard’sstudy.Adesklayoverturnedin
thecentre,butoneoftheonlyotherthingsJagrecognizedwasaworld
maponthewall.InthetoprightcornerwastheMawlund,andatitsheart
thegiantchasmknownastheMaw.ThiswassurroundedbytheBlack
Mountains,southofwhichandnotevenshownonthemapwasRayford.
TherestoftheDianthicEmpirespreadouttothewestfromthecapitalof
Dianthus,severalmilessouthalongtheRayValley.Totheeastlaythe
Provinces,tothesouththedesertempireofKrakenbar,andonthefar
westernedgethesea.
MoreimportantlytherewasnosignofCharleythere,soJag
movedontothelastroom.ThishadtobeCharley’sbedroom.Hetookhold
ofthehandle,hisheartpoundingandhisbloodrunningcoldatthe
thoughtofwhathewasabouttofind.
Assoonasheopenedthedoorhesawtheblood.Thewooden
floorwasslickwithblood,boththedarkbloodoftheorcsandthebright
redofhumanblood.Thetableintheroomwasbroken.Atthefootofthe
bedlayCharley’sshoulderpouch,andnexttoitherfinelyworkedknife,
bloodstillwetonitsblade.
Jagsankdownagainstthewall,griefinhisheartandtearsinhis
eyes.Screamsfromallaroundseemedtoechoinhishead;anycouldhave
beenCharleyinherlastmomentsbeforeshewascutdownandherbody
draggedoutintothestreet.Hehadbeensocaughtupinthemomentup
untilnowthathehadn’thadchancetoreallytakeinthefullhorrorofwhat
washappening,butnowithithimlikeapunchtothestomach.
AlmosteveryoneI’veknownisinthistown,andsoonthey’llallbedead.
Jagsatmotionlessforacoupleofminutes,griefslowlyturningtoanger,
untilaburningdesireforrevengeseemedtobetheonlythingremaining
inhim.I’mgoingtobedeadsoonerorlater,butifCharleycouldgodown
fightingthensocanI.
Hedidn’tscream,orcry,butstrodesilentlyfromtheroomwith
thesabregrippedtightinhisshakingfist.Hecouldhearalowgrunting
fromdownstairs,butangeroverwhelmedhisfear.Jagchargeddownthe
stairs,takingthefinalhalfinasingleleapandswingingwildlyattheorcas
itturnedintothehallway.Hisbladecutdeepintoitsshoulderandit
staggeredbackwards,onlyforJagtoburyhissabretoitshiltintheorc’s
unarmouredchest.Thecreaturecollapsed,alookofpatheticconfusionon
itsfaceasitfell.
WiththecreaturedeadathisfeetJagfelthiskneesbuckleasthe
adrenalinelefthim,andsatdownheavilyonthestairs.Hefeltsickatthe
sceneofcarnageandathisownsenseofpride,butmostlyatthe
knowledgethatCharleywasdeadandsoonhewouldbejoiningher.
Assoonashehadcaughthisbreathandfeltcapableofstanding,
Jagleftthehouseandcontinuedonhispathtowardthetowncentrewitha
heavyheartbutadeterminationtolive.Twostreetsfurtheronheheard
thesoundoffighting,andfeltaflashofhopeatthethoughtthatthere
mightbesomewaytotrulyfightbackagainsttheorcs.
Peeringaroundthecornerhesawabattleconsistingofthe
militiaandafewarmedciviliansagainsttheorcs,moreandmoreofwhom
werepilingineveryminute.Intermsofopponentsslainthehumans
seemedtobewinning,buttheyweregreatlyoutnumberedandwould
verysoonbeoverwhelmed.Jagthankedthegodshewasonthehuman
sideofthefight,havingunknowinglycrossedthefrontline.Thecaptainof
themilitiastoodbeforeapileofgreenskincorpsesjustfiveyardsfromJag:
NicholasHamman.Themanhadtaughthimhowtothrowaknife.
WhenthecaptainsawJaghebrokeofffromthefightingandran
overtohim.They’renoteventryingtoescape.He’sgoingtobringmeintothe
fight,andI’mgoingtodiehere.I’vemadeitthisfarjusttodiefighting.Well,it’s
notlikeI’vegotanythinglefttolivefor.
“Impressive.Lookslikeyoucanhandleyourselfafterall,”said
Hamman.Jagrealisedhewascoveredinorcblood.Theman’sfaceshowed
hope,withagrimacceptanceofhisownfate.“I’vegottoholdbackthese
orcsaslongasIcan,butI’vegotauseforyou.Listennow.Rayfordhasno
hopeleft.ThebestthingwecandoisgetwordtotheEmperorsohecan
organizethedefence.YoumustgettoDianthusandwarnhim.Takethis.”
Thecaptainremovedathingoldchainfromaroundhisneckandhandedit
toJag.Fromithungasmallgoldcircle,withononesideacomplex
engravingandtheothertheRayfordcoatofarms.“Thisshouldgetyouan
audienceandmakethembelieveyou.Oh,andtrytokeepquietaboutthis
ontheway–masspanicisthelastthinganyoneneeds.”
ThemanplacedahandonJag’sshoulderandsighedbefore
continuing.“Moreimmediately,godownthatstreet,thentakethesecond
leftturning.Followthestreetuntilyoureachthewall,andthere’sasmall
gateyoucanescapethrough.Afterthatit’sdowntoyou.Ifyou’reluckythe
orcswon’thavereachedthatpartoftownyet.
“Well,IneverthoughtyouwereLegionmaterial,butIguessI
musthaveunderestimatedyou.GoodluckandmayDebinspeedyou.”He
turnedbacktoregardtherapidlylosingbattlewheretheRayfordlinewas
inretreat.“Youhaven’tmuchtime,butIswearwewillbuyyouevery
secondthegodsarewillingtosell.Nowgo!”
Jagcouldseelittlepointinarguing,orexplaininghehadkilledan
orcmorebysurpriseandluckthanskillatarms,so,seeingpeopleheknew
fightinganddyingtoallowhisescape,theonlydecentthinghecoulddo
wastryhisbesttomaketheirsacrificeworthwhile.Thecaptainwasright:
Rayfordwasdoomed,buthehadthechanceofavertingmoresuch
tragedies.Besides,Jaghadalwaysdreamedofadventure,sohecould
hardlycomplainwhenitwashandedtohimonaplate.
Trueenough,CaptainHamman’sdirectionsledtoasmallgatein
thewall,whichitselfledtotheforestsurroundingRayford.Outsideitwas
surprisinglyquiet,aharshcontrasttothetowncentre.Thesoundsof
battledriftingoverthehighwallcouldhavebeenfromanotherworld.
Wantingtoputasmuchdistanceaspossiblebetweenhimselfandtheorcs,
Jagtriedtokeepupalightjog,butwasexhaustedfromhisterrified
runningearlier.
Asthenightsetinitseemedimpossiblethatonlyafewhoursago
hehadbeenspeakingtoCharley,andthatifthingshadworkedout
differently,iftheorcshadchosenanothertarget,ormaybeevenifWilkins
haddonehisjobproperlyandrepairedthegateashepromisedevery
year,JagwouldhavebeendancingattheGuildsBall.Howquicklypriorities
canchange.
ChapterTwo
Jagsteppedwearilyonwards,gazingupatthefirefalloverhead.The
supernaturalprecipitation,causedbyparticlesintheskybecoming
chargedbymagic,descendedinamulti-colouredglowlikesparksfroma
firebeforefadingtonothingaboutayardabovehishead.Itfilledthenight
skylikefallingstarsofredandgold.
Hehadavoidedtheroadatfirstinfearofencounteringmoreorcs,
andhadspentthelasteightormorehoursmakinghisownpaththrough
thelightwoodlandoftheRayValley.IthadoccurredtoJagthatdespite
havingcoveredseveralmileshedidn’thaveacluewhatdirectionhewas
walking.Whicheverwayitwashecouldn’tkeepitupformuchfurther,
evenatawalk.Hehadbeenhopingtoreachavillage,oratleastaroadside
inn,butnowhewassimplytootiredtocare.Atleasttheexhaustionkept
himfromfullytakingintheeventsofthatday.Atthenextgoodtreehe
collapsedintoagapinitsroots,barelyhavingpulledhiscloakabout
himselfbeforefallingasleep.
Jagawokefarlaterthanusual,chilledtotheboneandstiffbeyond
belief.Hisstomachprotestedathavingmissedthelasttwomeals,buthe
hadnothingtoeatanddidn’ttrusthimselftotryanyofthewildplants.
Charleywouldhaveknownwhichweresafe.
Itstruckhimthatheshouldhaveleftsomesortofmarkertoshow
whichwayhe’dbeentravelling,butlastnighthehadbeenfartoo
exhaustedtothinkstraight.Takinghisbearingsfromthesunhesettledfor
afreshstarttothesouth,andhopedhewasn’tdoublingbacktowards
Rayford,andthattheorcshadn’tovertakenhimduringthenight.Itwas
pastnoonwhenhesawabuildinginthedistance,halfhiddenbytrees.A
village?Thethoughtoffindingfoodandperhapstransportcheeredhim
slightly.
However,ashegotcloserhesawthatitwasruined,andnotthe
sortofbuildinghehadbeenexpectingatall.Alarge,rounddome
dominatedtheothersmallerbuildingsaroundit;itlookedlikeatemple.
Jagwasnearlyuponitwhenherealizedjustwhatitwas:aMannictemple,
constructedmaybesixtyyearsagofortheworshipofthemysterious
Mannar.Thewaroffiftyyearspreviouslyhadcomeaboutwhentheir
meddlinginhumanaffairsculminatedinopenconflictbetweenfollowers
ofdifferentMannar.TheireventualdefeatbyDianthicloyalistshad
resultedintheoutlawingofallthingsMannicandinstantdeathfortheir
worshipers.Jagwasawarehewouldbecommittingacapitalcrimesimply
bybeingneartheplace,butgiventhecircumstanceshedidn’tthink
anyonewouldmindhimtakingtheopportunitytohaveaquickrestoutof
sightofanypassingorcs.
Hepickedhiswaythroughthefallenmasonryand,seeingthe
doorwasblockedbyrubble,climbedthewallandthroughagap.Insidea
pavedcourtyardwasalmostfilledbythedomedtowerstretchingupfrom
themiddle.Weedshadpusheduptheflagstonesandthecarvingsthat
markedeverysurfacehadbeenweatheredbeyondrecognition,butJag
couldn’thelpbutthinkofthemanystoriesoftheMannarhehadheard.He
shudderedtothinkwhatcouldhavegoneonthere.
Hesatforafewminutestoresthislegs.Thecourtyardwas
deserted,buthestillhalfexpectedsomethingtojumpoutathim.Pull
yourselftogether,Jag.It’sjustanoldruin.Afterawhile,curiositydrewhim
towardsthetower.Apartfromaforbiddingblackmetaldoor-lockedfast
-theonlywayinwasthroughoneofthetallgothicwindowsthatcircled
thetower.Heapproachedsomewhatgingerlyandpeeredthrough.
Anobsidianaltarcarvedintogrotesqueshapessatatthetopof
stepsleadingdowntoapitofutterblackness.Itwasdarkerthanthe
darkestnight,andseemedtocatchandholdtheeye.AtfirstJagthoughtit
wasempty,butslowlyshapescameintoview,constantlyoutoffocus,the
shapesofcreatures,creatureswithclaws,creatureswithtentacles,
creaturesswimmingfromthedarknesstowardshim...
Jagwrenchedhisgazeawayfromthefoulthing,leaping
backwards.Hisfootcaughtonalooseflagstoneandhetumbled
backwards.Thesuddenimpact,thoughfortunatelyleavinghimwithno
morethanbruises,immediatelydispelledanyfurthercuriosityhemight
havehad.Hefledbackintotheforest.
Theforestwasgraduallythinning,andbylateafternoonthere
wereonlyscatteredclumpsoftreesbreakingthelandscape.Jagwasnow
reallyhungry,andcontemplatingtheberriesgrowingonlowbushes
hungrily.Evenatownboylikehimknewthatwildberriescouldbe
poisonous,butsurelynotallofthem.Takingthegamblehadtobebetter
thanstarving.
Luckilyhisdilemmawasresolvedbyaplumeofsmokefrom
beyondasmallclumpoftrees.Withaweakcryofreliefhequickenedhis
pacetoreachit.
Upclosethehamletwaslittlemorethanafewhousesandaninn
barelybiggerthanthose,buttoJagitwasawarmbed,foodandperhaps
eventransporttothecity.Theinn-theRagingBull-hardlyliveduptoits
name,butwaswelcomingenough,anddidn’tchargemuch.Luckyforme,as
thismoney’sgottogoalongway.
Jagorderedtheonlymealtheyservedandapintofbeer-warm,
withasimilarvarietyofchoice-andtookaseatattheonlyoneofthefour
largetableswithasparechair.Itseemedtheinnhadbroughtinthewhole
hamlet,whichwasn’treallyahugeachievement.Afterhehadfinished
eatingthetableswerepushedtogetherandtheinnkeeperpresentedthe
evening’sstoryteller,ashortandtwitchymanwithabaldinghead.A
roundofapplausegreetedhim.Thismustbeaswildasitgetsoutinthe
sticks.Anexpectanthushfilledtheroomasthelittlemansteppedoutto
standinitscentreandclearedhisthroat.Jagwastoofulltosleep,andwas
gratefulofanythingtokeephismindoccupiedonsomethingotherthan
thepreviousday,andsohesettleddowntolisten.
“Mystorytonightiscalled‘TheOpeningoftheMaw’.”Jagsmiled.
He’dheardthistalecountlesstimes,bothinTempleandtaverns,butit
wasalwaysagoodone.“Now,letmebegin.
“Manythousandsofyearsagothewholeworldwasgreenand
fertile,andtheinhabitantslivedinharmony.Warwasunheardof,andall
peoplewerekindandgentle,takingwhattheyneededfromthelandand
leavingtherest.TheareaweknowastheMawlundwasflatandforested,
andhometoapeoplelivingcloseintouchwithnature.
“‘Buthowwassuchagoldenagepossible?’Ihearyouask.The
answeristhatthegodsofGood,includingDianne,patronofourgood
Empire,hadafteragreatstruggleimprisonedtheforcesofEvilwithinan
otherworldlyprison.WithouttheinfluenceofEviluponourworldwe
couldcommitnone.
“Thisearthlyparadiseenduredformanyyears,untiltheangelic
overlordofthisprisonworldwastemptedbyZalissimix,theSerpentGod,
toshowmercytoEvil.”
Someintheaudiencetuttedandshooktheirheads.Afellowin
therobesofaclericoftheDianthicpantheonspokeup:“Suffernomercy
forEvil,forthoushaltreceivenoneinreturn.”
Thestorytellercontinued.“Thisangelloosenedthebondsofthis
prison.Thisprovedtobeaterriblemistake,asinsoheweakenedthem.
Withaterribleblast,allEvilintheuniversebrokefree,rippingitsway
throughtheuniverse.
“ThetearthroughtoourworldformedtheMaw,andthe
explosionofEvilpowerdevastatedthesurroundingland,leavingthe
brokenwastelandweknowtodayandpushingupthemountainsaround
theMaw.Thisunholyenergyalsoupsettheclimateandleftgreatswathes
oflandasdesertorarctictundra.
“Butworstofall,theforceofEvilenteredtheworld.Orcs,goblins,
daemons,devils,andallmannerofnightmarecreaturesarrivedin
immeasurablenumbers.Butthetruetragedywasfarmoresubtle.With
theinfluenceofEvilgodsthepeopleoftheworld-humans,dwarvesand
others-werethemselvestainted.Darknessenteredtheheartofevery
man,womanandchild.Forsomethismeantnomorethanamoment’s
jealousynowandthen,butsomewerefilledwiththetaintand,alongside
thenewlyarrivedmonsters,wagedwarontheirpreviousfriends.
“Nowitseemedinevitablethattheworldwouldfallbeneaththis
tideofdarkness,andmanydespaired.Others,however,forgedthe
weaponsthathadneverbeforebeenneeded,andvowedtofightfortheir
land.OnesuchmanwasPrinceBaylar,wholedhisclansouthfromtheir
ruinedhomelandtothelandsaroundtheRiverRay.Hereheraisedan
armyofmen,dwarvesandallotherswhowouldfightforhim,andleda
crusadebackintogroundcapturedbytheforcesofEvil.
“Hedrovethembackasfarasthenewly-risenBlackMountains,
wherehisarmychargedintobattleagainstagreatEvilhordeonthe
slopesofMountVomar,thelargestoftherange.Whilethebattleragedhe
andhismosttrustedhenchmen,cladinmarblearmour,thefirstofitskind
andgrantedthembythegoddessDianne,brokethroughtheenemylines
andcrossedtheBlackMountains.TheyweremakingfortheMaw.
“AftertheirepicjourneythroughthewastesoftheMawlund,a
storyinitself,theyarrivedattheMawtofindabottomlesschasmstill
spewingoutcountlesshorrors,andadarkcitadelbeingconstructedacross
it.Thebravebandfoughttheirwayalonghalffinishedstreetstothe
centrewherestoodanunholytempletothegodsofEvil.Atitsheartwasa
roomlookingoutoverthechasm,throughwhichdarkandterriblemagics
spewedfromtheworldofEvil.
“InthisroomtheyfoundSpitacus,Arch-generaloftheEvil
armies.Thecourageouscompanionsconfrontedtheirdaemonicfoe,
knowingthefateoftheworldrestedonthisonefatefulcombat.Inafierce
battlePrinceBaylar’scompanionswereslain,buttheirsacrificeallowed
himtostrikeakillingblowtoSpitacus.Thefoulcreaturetoppledintothe
Maw,andwiththeoneforceunifyingthemgone,theEvilarmiesacrossthe
landwereplungedintoanarchy.
“SomehowinthechaosBaylarfoughthiswayoutofthecityand,
thoughhimselfterriblywounded,hereturnedtohisarmytoleadthepush
todrivethemonstersback.Thedisorganisedenemywascrushedandfled
backintothewastesoftheMawlundwheretheyremaintothisday.Prince
BaylarfoundedanewkingdomalongthebanksoftheRiverRay,andbuilt
acapitaldedicatedtoDianna.TheMarbleGuardwerefoundedashis
bodyguard.
“Andthat,mygoodfriends,iswhywetodayhavetheMawinour
world,andhowthecityofDianthusfirstcameabout.NextweekIwillbe
presentingtheepictaleofTrinkertipthegnomebard,andhisgreat
battlestolegalisebuskingonthestreetsofBar-Salo,accompaniedbya
selectionofhismusicuponluteanddulcimer.”Therewasaroundof
applause.“Thankyou,thankyou.”
IntherushtoleaveJagtookhisplateandcuptothebarbefore
makinghiswayuptohisroom.Itwasplainbutclean,withabedanda
batteredwoodenchair.Hefeltbetterthanhehadallday,withafull
stomachandaplacetosleep.Thelocalbrewwaspotentenoughtoprovide
amentalfugthatkeptouttheworstofthehorrorofthedaybefore.Fartoo
soonthemorningcame,andheawokefromastrangedreamabout
crusadinggnomes.
Afteraquickbreakfastofeggandbreadhelefttheinnandbegan
toexplorethesinglestreetofthehamlet,whichwascalledGreyhillafter
thelargerocknearby.Inthedaylighthesawfromthepositionofthe
mountainsthathehadcomeaboutsixtymilesalongtheRayValleyfurtherfromRayfordthanhe’deverbeforebeen.
HewastryingtoprocuretransporttowardsDianthus,butthe
closestGreyhillhadtoacoachstationwasafarmer’scarttrundling
sedatelythrough.ThefarmeragreedtotakeJagasfarasRaybridge,the
nexttownandRayford’slargersister,butasJagpaidafewcoppersfrom
hispouchhebegantodoubtwhetherhehadenoughmoneytoreachthe
city.Asalastresorthecouldusethemedallionandclaimpassage–hehad
realisedearlierthatitwastheinsigniaofanImperialCourier-butthe
captainhadtoldhimtoavoidspreadingpanic,andhedidn’twanttoinvite
anymorequestionsabouthispurposethannecessary.
Thecartrolledoffdowntheunpavedroad.Jagfeltsureawheel
wouldbreakoffinoneofthemanyrutsandpotholes,butsomehowit
reachedthenextsettlementintact.Thevillagewasn’tmuch,butitwas
biggerthanGreyhillandhadamilltowhichthefarmerdeliveredthesack
ofgrainthathadbeentravellingsofaronJag’sfeet.
Thecountrysidewasflatbetweenthemountainstoeitherside,
withtheoccasionalclumpoftreesorlonelyfarmstead.Thecartdidnot
reachanothervillageuntilwellintotheafternoon,andthissmallfarming
communitywassimilartothelast.Theystoppedattheinnforaquick
mealanddrink,whilethefarmer,afriendlyifslightlyopinionatedold
chapnamedHallen,explainedthatratherthanspendtherestofthenight
herehewouldpressontothenextvillage.
“Weshouldmakeitaroundmidnight,Debbinwillingandwitha
bitofluck.Thentomorrowwe’llprobablyreachRaybridgebylate
afternoon.Thereyou’vegotthecoachstationortheriverstraighttothe
capital.Yourchoice.”
Withthattheystartedbackontheroad,andsureenoughjust
beforemidnightdrewupinyetanotherofthesmallvillagesthatlittered
thenorthoftheDianthicEmpire.Theinnherehadnoneoftheprevious
night’sentertainment,butdidhavecomfybeds.Afteraneasyday’sriding
ittookJagawhiletogettosleepandhelayawakewithnothingbutthe
deathanddestructionoftheattacktofillhishead,beforeslippinginto
nightmare.
Still,inthemorninghewokerefreshedandreadytocontinue.
Theymadeanearlystartandweremakinggoodprogressbynoonwhen
theydecidedtostopforlunch.Bothhadbroughtsandwichesfromtheinn,
andtheyhadsettleddowntoeatintheshadewhenthesoundofvoices
driftedoverfromtheroadbehindthetrees.Hallenwasabouttostandup
andhailtheirfellowtravellerswhenJagheldhimback.He’dheardstories
abouttheseroads,anditneverhurttobecareful.
Cautiouslyhestoodupandpartedthebranchesjustenoughto
seefourfiguresheadingtowardsthem.Theywerearmed,andthreehad
large,fullsacksovertheirshoulders.Bandits!Theywerestillacoupleof
hundredyardsaway.Itseemedtheyhadn’tseenhimyet,butwiththecart
parkedatthesideoftheroaditwouldn’tbelong.Hecrouchedbackdown
andwarnedthefarmer.
“Fourbanditsheadingthisway.Hitchthehorsesandwemight
beabletogetawaybeforetheyreachus.”Jagconsideredleavingthecart
andescapingonhorseback,buthehadneverreallylearnedtorideand
couldhardlystayonahorsewithasaddleandreins,nevermindwithout.
Nowwasnotagoodtimetotry.
Eitherthebanditsweremovingfasterthanhethoughtorthe
rehitchingofthecartgenuinelytookaslongasitfelt,buttheywerestill
makingthefinalpreparationstoleavewhentheyheardrunningfootsteps
andshoutingfromfurtheruptheroad.Jagsworevehementlyashe
realizedtheywouldn’thavechancetoescape.Theonlythinghecoulddo
wasrecoverthesabrehe’dbroughtfromRayford,whichwasnowdumped
unceremoniouslyonthefloorofthecart.
ThebanditsspreadouttosurroundthemandJagfoundhimself
facetofacewithatallmanarmouredinstuddedleather,withascar
acrosshisfaceandsquintingeyes.Twomorestoodbehindhim.Jag
seriouslydoubtedthathecouldtakeonthreeexperiencedbanditsonhis
own,orthatthefarmercould.Smallasthechancewas,he’dhavetotry
andtalkhiswayoutofit.Perhapsthey’lldecidetotakewhattheywant
andletuslive.Unfortunately,asitturnedout,theydid.
“Nicelittlenecklaceyougotthere.Gimmieitan’I’llletyougo.”
JagrealizedwithannoyancethattheCourier’smedallionhadslippedout
fromunderhisshirt.Thebarbariandoesn’tevenrecogniseit.Alotofrespect
it’sgoingtowinmewiththisfellow.AlltheauthorityintheEmpirewasn’t
goingtohelpadeadman,andhe’dhavemorechanceofcompletinghis
missionbyhandingitover,butwouldhebetakenseriouslywithoutit?
Moreimmediatelytothepoint,evenifhedidhanditover,didhehaveany
guaranteethatthemanwouldbetruetohisword?Probablynot.Jag
stalledfortimewhilehethoughtwhattodo.
“No...youdon’twantthis...completelyfake...I’vegotmoney,will
thatdo?”Hewasstronglyawareofthestenchofthebandit’sbreath.
“Justgimmiethebloodymedal.Anddropthatbloodyswordas
well.”
“Whichfirst?”askedJag,regrettingthewordsevenastheylefthis
lips.
“Don’tyoutryterbesmartwi’me.”Thebandit-notcarryinga
sack,sopresumablytheleader-smackedhimacrossthecheekwiththe
flatofhisblade.Itstungterribly,andJagsteppedreelingback,butasthe
manpulledbackforanotherblowhesawhischance.Leapingforwardhe
thrusthisswordcleanthroughthebandit’sstomachandouttheman’s
back.Thebanditscreamedandcollapsed,nearlyrippingtheswordfrom
Jag’shands,buthewithdrewitjustastheotherraidersbegantoreact.Oh
pekk.
PlantingonefootonthewheelofthecartJagjumpedupontothe
seat.Hallenstoodpetrifiedasthetworaidershissideapproached.
GrabbinghimunderthearmsJagheavedhimupintothecart,andaslash
thatshouldhaveseveredthefarmer’sneckinsteadbitintohisthigh.The
mancriedoutinpainbutJagignoredhim,grabbingthereinsand
whippingthehorsesintoaction.Theyspedaway,leavingJagincontrolofa
speedingcartandabanditstillclingingontotheside.
Thelargemanwasnotdeterredbyapunchtotheface,soJag
pickeduphisswordfromnexttohimandwithonehandonthereins
hackeddownthroughthebandit’sfingers.Withashoutthemanfelloff,
leavingJagtryingtodrivethecartasitrapidlyapproachedabend.
Ofcourse,thehorsesknewwhattodobetterthanhedid.Thecart
spedroundthecornerandfollowedtheroadonward,leavingthebandits
farbehind.Itwasn’tlongbeforethehorsestired,andtheysloweddownto
agentletrot.
BynowfarmerHallenhadrecoveredfromhisshockenoughto
seehiswoundwasn’tasbadashe’dinitiallyfearedandhadstopped
groaning.Hesatup,mutteringsomethingaboutyoungdrivers,buttook
thereinsandthankedJagprofusely.HeevenofferedtorefundJag’smoney,
butseeingtheman’slegboundinsackclothJagcouldn’taccept.Hehad
enoughforthebargefromRaybridge,anyway.
Afterthatthejourneycontinueduneventfully,andwhenduskfell
hecouldseelights,orratheronegreatpatchoflight,onthehorizon:itwas
thetownofRaybridge.
Bynowthemaingateswereshuttightly,buttheguards
patrollingthewallswiththeirspearsandpointedhelmetswereusedto
openingasidegateforlatenightvisitors.Astheyrolledunderthetorches
thattoppedthewallsJagnoticedagleamoflightonthefloorofthecart.
Lookingdown,hewasshockedtoseeaseveredfinger.Hisreaction
softenedsomewhatwhenhesawtheringitwore:itwassilversetwitha
smallruby,andhadobviouslyfallenintothecartwhenhegotridofthe
bandit.Jagremovedtheringandcastthefingerawayintothedarkness.
Whenhelookeduphesawthattheyweredrivingdownthemain
streetofthetown,pastmerchants’shopslitbyflickeringtorches.Soon
theyhadreachedagrandsquareborderedtotheeastbytheRiverRaythesameRiverRaythatranthroughbothJag’shometownandhis
destinationofDianthus.RayfordandRaybridgehadmoreincommonthan
thesameriver,andthesimilaritiesinthestyleofbuildingsbroughta
lumptoJag’sthroat.
Bargeslinedthequay,mostcarryinggoodsdowntheriverbut
someclearlytheprivatetransportofthecapital’snobilityandgentry,and
thelightfrommanytavernsreflectedonthestillwater.Thecartpulledto
ahaltandJagleaptdown,whileHallenremainedperchedonthecart.
Seeingthefarmer’swound,Jagdrewtheringfromhispocketandpressed
itintoHallen’spalm.
“Takethisandgogetyourselfsomehelpforyourleg.Atownlike
thisisboundtohaveaprofessionalhealer,andwiththatyoucanprobably
evenaffordmagicalhelp.”Thefarmerwasstaringattheringinawe,as
he’dlikelyneverownedsuchjewellery.
“No,Jaggar,Icouldn’t.Itwasyouwhosavedme,afterall.”
“Yes,butitwasalsomewhogotyouintothatmessinthefirst
place.IfIhadn’tbeendaftenoughtoputupafightthey’dprobablyhave
leftyoualone.Takeit,go,andifyougetanychangeyoucanbuyyourselfa
newcart.”
“Thankyou,Jaggar.Ireallyappreciatethis.HowcanIrepayyou?”
“Listen,youdon’thaveto.Believeme,thisridehasbeenmore
helptomethanyouknow.”
Hallensmiledwarmly,thoughhisfacewaspaleeveninthe
torchlight.“Well,myfriend,Icanhardlysayyourcompanywasenjoyablehalfofithasbeensheerterror.Still,ifyouhaven’tgotyourselfkilledthen
I’dbegladtoseeyouagaininthefuture.”
“Likewise.Goodluck,andwatchoutontheroad.Wedon’twanta
repeatperformanceoftoday.”
Hallenchuckled.“Aslongasyou’renotdrivingthat’sgoodenough
forme.”Andwiththat,thefarmerwavedanddroveoffintothetown.Jag
wasleftstandinginthesquarewonderingwheretospendthenight.
EventuallyhesettledontheSevenSausagesastheinnthatsounded
quietestandleastlikelytobeswarmingwithmuggersandcutthroats.
Thisturnedouttobeagooddecision,andafteronlythree
sausagesheretiredtoasmallroomintheroof.Itwouldn’tdotospendall
hismoneyforthebargetomorrow,afterall.
Thatnighthefoundithardtosleepatfirst,amixedblessingin
thatitstavedoffthenightmareswhileleavinghimhauntedbythoughts
forthefuture.Inacoupleofdays’timehewouldbeinDianthus,andhis
taskwouldbeover.Thenhe’dbeonhisown,withoutfriends,homeor
purpose.He’dalwaysknownhewouldhavetotakecontrolofhislifeone
daysoon,buthehadn’tcountedonthatdayarrivingquitesosuddenly.All
hecoulddowasmakeshoes,andheneededsomewheretodothat.He
hadn’tevenfinishedhisapprenticeship.
Jagsupposedhe’dendupcobblinginsomeremotevillagelike
Greyhill.He’dprobablymakehiswayaroundthecountryuntilhefounda
villagewithoutacobbler,andthenspendtherestofhislifemakingand
repairingshoes,maybegettingmarriedandhavingafamilyofhisown.Of
course,hewantedapeacefullife,andthatwasexactlyhowhe’dalways
seenhisfuturelifemappedout,butafterthelastfewdaysthethoughtofit
seemed...well,boring.
Andwhatabouttheorcs?PerhapshecouldjointheLegionsand
helpinthecomingbattles.Hecertainlyhadmoreexperiencenowthan
mostwhosignedup.Inthatcaseeitherhe’dbekilled,orhe’dstayonand
spendthenexttwentyyearsfightingacrosstheEmpire,fromfrontierduty
ontheKrakenbaricbordertoalonelypostinginoneoftheisolatedfortson
theedgeoftheMawlund.Atleasthe’dendupwithapension,andperhaps
agrantofland.Thiswasallassuming,ofcourse,thattheDianthicEmpire
wasn’toverrunwithorcsbythen.
Asthehoursslippedbyanotherthoughtbegantopreyonhim:
hiskillingofthebanditearlier.Notthatheregrettedit,notforamomentifhehadn’thehimselfcouldhavebeenkilled,andhistaskwouldhave
beenleftunfulfilled,hismessageundelivered.Butthemanhehadkilled
wasjustthat:aman,ahumanbeinglikeJag.Troubledbythesethoughts,
Jagfinallyslippedintoanuneasysleep.
BythetimehewokeearlynextmorningJaghadputallthese
problemsoutofhismind,andwaslookingforwardtoarelaxingdayonthe
bargedowntothecity.Asthesunroseovertherooftopshemadehisway
backdowntotheriversidetotryandgetaride.Manybargeshe
recognized,ashehadwatchedthemsailingthroughRayfordupanddown
theriver.Oneheknewparticularlywell,andhecalledtoitsmasterfrom
thequay.CaptainTodmorstumbledsleepilyuptothedeck,hisred
uniformflamboyantyetwell-worn.
“Currentlysailingdownriver,terminatingatDianthusDocks,
stoppinganywhereenrouteforembarkationordisembarkation.”The
descriptionwasfamiliar.“Chargingatonesilvershillingperdayorpart
thereof.Twosilverforacabin.Barinhold.Returningupriverin…”He
stopped,andsquintedacrossthewater.“Jag?Ah,Jagmyoldmate,it’syou!
Didn’texpecttoseeyouonthislegofthetrip.Wantingalift,orjust
draggingapoormanoutofbedforthefunofit?”askedthecaptain,
droppingagangplankacrossthegap.Jaghurriedacross.
“Ithinktheup-rivertrip’sjustbeencancelled,”Jagsaidquietlyas
Todmorledhimbelowdecks.Hegrimlywentontorelatetheeventstothe
north,knowingthathecouldtrustTodmornottospreadpanic.Evenashe
didhewonderedifhemighthavebeenbetterwarningpeopleashe
travelled,buyinganextradayorsotoevacuate.Buthehadbeentoldto
tellno-onebuttheEmperor,andhewassurethemilitiacaptainknew
best.
Attheendofhisexplanation,CaptainTodmorstoodwithhis
mouthhangingwideopenforsometime.Then,seeminglysortinghimself
out,hethrewopenthedoortotheholdandusheredJagthrough,shaking
hisheadandcheckinghissword-belt.
BythetimehereturnedJaghadfoundbothacabinandthebar,
andwashelpinghimselftoawell-earneddrink.Itwasthebesthe’dtasted
fordays,notsomehome-brewedstufffromatinyvillagetavernbutreal
JennicaleimportedfromJennaintheProvinces.Theotherpassengers
weren’tyetup,butJaghadnoticedseveralcloseddoorsinthecorridorby
hiscabin.Todmorhadwokenhiscrewinordertosetoffearly,anhour
beforedue.AsthebargepulledoutoftheharbourTodmorjoinedJagin
thebar,andtheysattalkinganddrinking,Jaghopingashedidsothatthe
drinkswereonthehouse,asatthisratehewouldhaverunupquiteabill
bytheevening.
Asthemorningdrewontheotherpassengersfiltereddownfrom
theircabinsabove.FirstcameThandus,amerchantfromDess,anotherof
theProvinces,whokeptthementertainedwithhistalesofadventureon
theroadtoKrakenbar.JustafterlunchawarriornamedRalembarked,
hopingtoleavebehindhislifeasasword-for-hiretosignonforthe
LegionsinDianthus.Afterafewevaluativeswingsthatverynearlylost
TodmorsomefinewineheinformedJagthathehadagoodsword,and
askedhowhe’dcomebyit.
“Oh,myfatherwasaLegionnaire,”Jagreplied,feelingthetruth
wouldn’tservehisaimofsecrecy.
“Really?WhatLegion?”
“Uh,theThird-RayValleySentinels.”Heknewthename,justas
anyonefromRayfordwouldhave,butnotmuchelse.Hopingtoavoid
furtherquestions,hewentontotellofhisrecentencounterwithbandits,
whichquicklydistractedthesoldier.Ralwassoontellinghisown(almost
certainlyexaggerated)storiesofwarintheProvinces.Itseemedhe’d
foughtforjustabouteverybarony,county,duchyandprincipalityout
there,alwaysatthetimeoftheirgreatestvictories.
“Soundslikeyouweredoingprettywellforyourself,”Jag
observed.“WhygiveitupfortheLegions?”
“What,can’tamanwanttodohisdutyforhisEmperor?”asked
Ralinmockoffence.“Well,actually,”-heleanedinconspiratorially“work’sgettingabitthinonthegroundatthemoment.Somepeace
settlementatVestria.Ofcourse,it’llneverlast.Itneverdoes.ButI’vegot
mouthstofeedbackhere,andit’stimeIsettleddownintoaregularjob
whereIcanbringthekidsandmissusoutwithme.”
Itwaslateintotheeveningwhentheyallretiredtotheir
individualcabins.Jagsleptsoundlyanduntroubledbydreams,aidedtono
littleextentbythequantitiesoffinealehehadconsumedthatday.
Inthemorningheawokerefreshed,ifmildlyhung-over,and
readyforthefinallegofhisjourney.AfterbreakfastwithTodmorandhis
newfriendsthedaycontinuedmuchliketheonebefore,thoughJagforced
himselftosticktoweakbeer.He’dneedaclearheadforlater.Fornow,
though,hewasalmostabletoenjoyhimself–foraslongashecouldkeep
hismindoccupied,anyway.
Asthedaydrewtoacloseandduskfelloverthesmallbarge,a
shoutwentupfromsomeonestandingondeck.Everyonetroopedupto
seethelightsofDianthus,capitaloftheEmpire,shiningovertheriver
ahead.Theylituptowersandstreets,archesandbridges,great
boulevardsandnarrowalleys,thehighlevelsandthelowlevels.Dianthus
hadbeenbuiltupoverhundredsofyearsinakindofbowlshape,with
steppedtiersoflevelsonboththeinwardsandoutwardsfacingsides.At
theeastofthecityagreatclusteroftowersstretcheduptothesky,the
tallestandgrandestofthemallbeingtheImperialPalace.ThiswasJag’s
destination,andittrulystruckhimforthefirsttimethattodayhewould
havetherarehonourofmeetingtheEmperorinperson.
ChapterThree
Silentexceptforthegentlesplashofwateragainstthebow,thebargeslid
alongtherivertowardstherapidlygrowingbeaconoflightthatwas
Dianthus.AstheydrewcloserJagcouldmakeoutthemaingateonthe
northfaceofthewall.Setwithinamassivestonegatehouseandprotected
byaportcullisandiron-bandeddoors,itwastheentranceforthemany
wagons,horsesandpedestriansthattraversedtheroadsoneithersideof
therivertoclimbashallowslopearchingovertheriver.Belowthegate
theriverpassedintoagreattunnel,anditwastowardsthisthatthebarge
washeading.
Theinsideofthegatewaywaswell-litbytorches,illuminating
thenumerousportalsliningthewallsofaman-madecavern.Straight
aheadwasagiantarchwayforthelargerships,buttheywereheading
towardsamuchsmallerportaltooneside.
Beyondthistheyemergedinaproperharbourintheopenair.Jag
lookedupwardsandsawthehigherlevelsreachingupintothenightsky
abovehim.IguessI’llhavetoheadupifIwanttoreachthepalace.
CaptainTodmorsteppedacrosstothequaysidewitharopeand
soonhadthebargemooredup.Thepassengersfiledacrossthegangplank
andawayintotheinnsandhostelsliningthesidesoftheharbour.After
wavinggoodbyetoRalandThandus,JagwasleftonboardwithTodmor.
“Rightthen.I’mofftomeettheEmperor,”saidJag,grinning.
“What?Youdon’twanttobeoutinthedocksatthistimeofnight;
youwon’tlastfiveminutesifyoudon’tknowyourwayaround.Whynot
sleeponboardtonightandgouptothepalacetomorrowmorning?No
senseincomingallthiswayjusttoendupfacedowninanalleywitha
knifeinyourback.”
JagconsideredTodmor’soffer,buttheurgencyofthismessage,
suppressedtheselastcoupleofdaysontheriver,nowfilledhimwitha
burningneedtodosomething.“No,I’vegotto.It’llbesevenhours‘til
morningandthosesevenhourscouldbevital.Ahordeoforcscouldhave
descendeduponthecitybythen.”Heknewitwashighlyunlikelytheorcs
wereanywherenearDianthus–suchalargeforcecouldn’tmovequickly,
andhemusthavesavedatleasttwodaysbytakingtheriver.
“Youdon’tevenknowifthereisaninvasionyet,”thecaptain
pointedout.“It’sstillterrible,butforallyouknowRayfordcouldhave
beenanisolatedincident:anunusuallybraveraidthat’sevennow
returningtotheBlackMountains.”Itwastrue,butdidn’tchangethefact
thatitcouldbeaninvasion,andtheEmperorhadtoknow.
“I’mgoing.”
Todmorshookhishead.“Well,JaggarGarrick,you’reeitherbrave
orstupid,butIseeIcan’tchangeyourmind.Ifyou’regoingtothePalace
you’llneedtoreachthehigherlevels.Theeasiestandquickestwayupis
theGrandShaft,inthecentre.”Hepointedacrossthequayside.“Takethat
alley,turnrightandkeepgoinguntilyoureachabiggerstreet.It’scalled
RogueLane,Ithink.FollowthatuntilyouseeataverncalledtheKnifein
theDark.It’sgotablacksignwithasilverbladeonit.Thentakethenext
leftdownanalleytothemainroad.ThisrunsstraighttotheShaft.Your
bestbetisprobablyLevelSeven.That’sthemainentranceforvisitors,and
you’remorelikelytogetanaudiencethere.Fromthenon,you’reonyour
own.”
Jagranthroughthedirectionsinhishead.“Whatwasthefirst
turning?”
“Right.”
Hefrowned.“Andwhat’sthisGrandShaftthing,anyway?”
“You’llseesoonenough,assumingyougetthatfar.”Todmor
reachedintohisjacketandremovedasmallmetalcylinder.Heflicked
somethingfromoneendtotheotherandpresentedittoJag.“Takethis.
Therearen’talwaysanyleftattheShaftitself.Juststickitinyourpocket.”
Stillnonethewiser,Jagthankedhisfriendfortheconfusinggift.
“I’dbettergetgoing.”
“I’dgowithyou,butyou’reabravermanthanIam,”admitted
Todmor.
“Icanhandlemyself,”Jagboasted,withmoreconfidencethanhe
genuinelyfelt.Todmor’swarningshadlefthimwithafeelingof
apprehensionnotquiteoverpoweredbyhisgrowingadrenaline.
“Gladtohearit.I’mofftomorrowmorning,butifyouneedalift
I’llbebackinfivedaystime.”Jagopenedhismouthtoprotest,butTodmor
heldupahandtostophim.“Iknowthere’sorcsupriver,butifyou’reeven
halfrightthenthere’sgoingtobealotofpeopleneedingtransportto
Dianthus.Andhowaboutyou?Anythoughtsonwhereyou’regoingafter
this?”Jagshookhishead.“Well,youknowhowtofindme.Goodluck.”
“Myluck’sbeendoingagrandjobsofar.Ijusthopethere’ssome
left.”BiddingTodmorgoodbye,Jagsetoffdownthealleyandfoundhimself
inanotherworld.
Rayfordhadhaditsroughpatches.Asineverysizeabletown,
therewereplaceshonestfolkgenerallyavoided.Butcomparedtothe
DianthusDocks,theywerelikeapalace.Thiswasthelandoftheafter-dark
people:thosewhosebusinessdemandedthattheyactbeyondthegazeof
thelaw.Hereanythingcouldbepurchased-fortherightprice.
JagwalkedswiftlyintothealleythatTodmorhadindicated,
alreadywonderingaboutthewisdomofhisdecisiontoheadstraightfor
thePalace.Abovehimthecity’sbrightlylitupperlevelsroselikea
glitteringmountain,butthestreetsbelowweresparselyilluminatedby
theoddlamponthesideofabuildingorthegrimywindowsofoneofthe
manytaverns.Everytimehehadtocrossapatchofdarknesshefelttense,
halfexpectingaknifebetweentheshoulderblades.
Hegraduallybecamecertainhecouldhearfootstepsfrom
behind.Hequickenedhispace,butstilltheygrewevercloser.Eventually
hecouldbearitnolongerandturnedtofaceaviciouslookingmanholding
acurvedknife.HeleeredatJagbut,seeingtheswordonhisbelt,leftto
lookforeasiervictims.
Jagwaspassingatavernwhenafightspilledoutinfrontofhim,a
mancollapsingintothegutterwithabloodyface.Shocked,hehurried
past.
AftertwoverylongminuteshereachedRoguesRoad.Whilestill
worsethananyslumJaghadbeforeseen,itwasatleastlit,andhefelta
littlesafer.EventuallyhesawthesignoftheKnifeintheDark,andturned
downanotherdarkalley.Ifanythingthiswasworsethanthefirst,buthe
concentratedonthedistantlightattheend.
Hefinallyemergedintothemainstreet,which,ifnotexactly
glamorous,wasmuchbettermaintainedandregularlylitbytorches.The
tavernsandshopsseemedabetterclassthanthosehe’dseenbefore.It
soonpassedunderthelevelabove,becomingatunnelwiththeroof
archingtwelvefeetabove.
Eventuallythestreetledintoawideplaza,opentotheskyatthe
centreofthecity.Itwasgranderthananythingelsehe’dseenintheDocks,
buthiseyeswerefirstdrawntothebluebeamoflightthatshoneupinto
theskyfromthefloor.Almostimmediatelytheymovedtothepeople
risingupanddownwithinit.ThismustbetheGrandShaft.Sowhatnow?
Aratherinebriatedyoungwomaninashortdressstaggeredpast
himintothebluelight.Afterfumblingforafewsecondswithasilver
cylinderidenticaltotheoneinJag’spocketshebegantoriseupthethirtyfeet-widecolumn,albeitslightlyshakily.Atahigherlevel-Jagguessedthe
Fifth-shesteppedoffandwalkedaway.
Well,thathardlymakesthingsclearer.Still,ifshecandoit,socanI.
JagstrodeacrosstotheShaft,feelingratherdaft,andgingerlyplacedhis
handwithinthebeam.Heinstantlyrecoiled,foritfeltlikehe’dsubmerged
itintepidwater.Buthisskinwasstillperfectlydry,andherealisedthat
thefeelingmusthavebeensimplydenseair.
Hesteppedin,ignoringtheunnaturalpressure,andinstantly
begantoascend.LevelSeven,right?Iguessthismustbethefirst.Hecounted
thelevelsasherose.Icouldgetquiteusedtothis.Beatsstairsanyday.Three,
four,five...thisisn’ttoobad,Iwouldn’tmindlivinghere.Seven.Right,nowfor
thetrickybit.Paddlingtheairasthoughitwaswater,hepulledhimself
overtothesideandsteppedoffontoawalledplatform,beforecrossingthe
narrowwalkwaythatlinkedittowheretheSeventhLevelitselfstartedon
topoftheSixth.
ThecontrastwiththeDocksbelowstruckhimimmediately.The
streetswerecleaner,andthebuildingsbigger,granderandinbetter
condition.Itwasn’tthebestpartofthecity-Jagguessedthatwasfurther
up–butwiththefrequentlanternsonthewalls,andthecitywatchmen
patrollingintheirwell-polishedbreastplates,itfeltsafe.Jag’sonlyworry
wasofbeingejectedasavagabond;histattered,stainedandsmelly
clothes,havingsharedhisadventuresinceRayford,madehimfeel
decidedlyconspicuous.
Hewasinalargesquare.Atitscentreasmallareaoftreesand
flowerssurroundedastatueofthegoddessDianne,thecity’spatron.Other
streetsledofffromeachside.Whileeachappearedtoberesidential,his
destinationwasclearlymarkedbytheclusterofgreattowerslooming
overthebuildingstotheeast-highestofallthePalaceitself.
Itwasn’tlongbeforethestreetpassedunderthelevelabove,and
afewhundredyardsfurtheronitendedabruptlyatthebluestonewalls
ofthePalacetower–thebuildingfromwhichoneofthelargestempiresin
theknownworldhadbeengovernedsinceitsfounding647yearsago.
Inthewallstoodanimposingpairofdoors,twentyfeethighand
castofcopper.Bothwereclosedtight,withnohandles,onlyastone
knockerontheleftdoorandaclosedshutterontheright.GingerlyJag
approached,andstrucktheknocker.Adeepboomresoundedthroughthe
street,anditseemedtoJagthatsurelythewholecitymustbewoken.
Aminutelaterhewasstillstandingwaiting.Comeon;openupfor
Debin’ssake!Finallytheshutteredwindowscrapedopen,andanold,
wrinkledfacepeereddownathim,itspointednoseupturned.
“WhatthePitdoyouthinkyou’replayingatlad?This‘ere
entranceisforthosewithlegitimatebusinessonly,notvagrantslikeyou.”
Jaglookeddownathimselfandreddened.“I’msureyouhavenobusiness
here.Ifyou’vegotanofficialRequest,ComplaintorInformationIsuggest
youcontactyourlocalImperialBureau.”
“ButIhavetoseetheEmperor!I’m-”
Thegatekeeperlaughedoutloud.“Ohreally?Thencomerightin,”
hesneeredsarcastically.“Youdon’thavetoseetheEmperor,andevenif
youdidyou’dhaveahardjob–he’soutofthecity,anddoesn’tgetback
untilthedayaftertomorrow.SoIsuggestyougetbacktoyourownlevel.
Goodnightandgoodriddance.”Heslammedtheshutter,andthesoundof
chucklingquicklyfadedbehindthecopperdoor.
“Bloodybureaucrats!IbetI’vegotabiggerbloodyInformation
thanyou’veeverseeninyourwholeboringlife!Ifyou’ddonehalfofwhatI
haveinthelastfewdaysyou’dprobablyhaveaheartfailure!
And...vagrant?”Frustrated,hesmackedthedooragain,toannoyinglylittle
effect.Jagkickedthegate,shoutedsomechoiceoathsatitandthen
flinchedasaclaybeakersmashedathisfeet.Helookeduptoseeafigure
inanightcapsilhouettedagainstanupstairswindowinanearbyhouse.
Mutteringhisapologies,Jaghurriedoffintothecityinsearchof
accommodation.TheorganizationthathadgottheDianthicEmpirewhere
itwastodaywasindangerofbeingitsdownfall.TothePitwithstupid
gatekeepers!AnImperialCourierwassupposedtoreportonlytothe
Emperor,soevenwiththemedalliontherewasnopointinreturning
beforeHisImperialMajestywasbackinresidence.Ifthecity’soverrunin
thenightwecanalllynchthatfoolbehindthegateinwhateverafterlifeweend
upin.
ThefirstinnhecametowasacosylittleplacecalledTheHeart
andHearth.Theyounglandladywrinkledhernoseindistasteatthesight
ofhim,butwithnearlyallhismoneyinherhandsshere-examinedher
opinionsufficientlytoallowhimaroomfortwonights,acoldmealanda
flagonofweakale.
Thatnighthewasuntroubledbydreams,thoughwhetherdueto
areliefatarrivingorthelatehourhefinallymadehisbedhedidn’tknow.
Whateverthecause,hewokerefreshedandeagertoexplorethecityhe
hadheardsomuchaboutsincehewasachild.
AfteralightbreakfasthesetofftowardstheGrandShaft.Inthe
morningitwasbustlingwithpeople,bothrisinganddescending.Jag
decidedtoworkhiswayupthroughthecityfromthebottomand
thereforespendtheeveningupinthemorehospitableupperlevels.
Uponreachingthebeamoflighthepaused.Lastnighthehad
simplyfloatedup–howwashetogetdown?HenoticedtheotherShaftusersholdingsomethingastheyapproached:metalcylindersliketheone
Todmorhadgivenhim.Somewereadjustingthembeforereturningthe
devicetoapocket.
Jagexaminedhis.Paintedontotheendswerethewords‘up’and
‘down’.Asmallstudprotrudedfromagrooverunningthelengthofthe
cylinder;itcurrentlysatatthe‘up’end.Hepusheditacrossandpocketed
thecuriousdevice.
Right.Nowfortheleapoffaith.Despitetheevidencebeforehis
eyesofothersusingtheShaft,andhisexperienceofitthenightbefore,Jag
stillhadtothinktwicebeforesteppingoutintotheairabovesuchadrop.
Herewego.
Thankfullyhedidn’tplummettoanearlygrave,butdrifteddown
atasedatepace.Thefactthathewasnowfalling,albeitslowly,madethe
downwardsjourneyslightlymoredisconcerting,butitdidn’ttakelongto
reachgroundlevelintheDocks.
Theyweresomewhatfriendlierbyday,andheevensawacouple
ofguardsonpatrol.However,JagsoonmovedonuptothemoretouristwelcomingareasontheEighthLevelandabove.Untilmid-afternoonhe
wanderedaroundthemuseumsandgalleriesthatmarkedDianthusoutas
theculturalaswellaspoliticalcapitaloftheEmpire,includingtheMannic
WarMemorialArch,theOldKrakenbarEmbassy,theAugustineGallery
andtheImperialMuseum.Thelattercontainedtreasuresandrelicsboth
fromhistoryanddistantlands,andhereJagsawscholarsfromallaround:
evenKrakenbar,despitethestateofwarthathadexistedbetweenthetwo
empiresforoverthreehundredyears.
AtlunchtimeheateinthePlazaoftheEmperors,asquarein
frontofthePalacethatprovidedamagnificentviewoverthebowl-like
centreofthecity.IttookitsnamefromitsstatuesofeveryEmperorsince
theFoundingatDianthicYear0.Thisplacewasfilledwithtouristsand
youngnobles,butJagfoundaspotatthefeetofKordantheFourth(DY482
-501).
Fortherestofthedayhecontinuedtomakehiswayfurther
upwards,throughthetown-housesandurbanestatesofthemost
successfulmerchantsandthenobility,totheeighteenthandhighestlevel:
theskyshipdocksknownastheAviary.Amidsttheconfusionofgantries
andcranessattheskyshipsthemselves,fromthesleekfrigatesofthe
ImperialSkyFleettothebargesandfreightersofthemostwealthy
traders.
Hestoodforawhileonaquay,watchingaskyshipladenwith
barrelshoveringdowntodock.Asitdrewalongsideaberththreeiron
clampsswungouttoholditinplace,andagangplankwasdroppedto
bridgethegap.Itwassometimeshardtobelievethatthefirstskyshiphad
beendevelopedlessthanthirtyyearsagobythemagesofDianthus.
Whiletheprivatevesselswereoftenconvertedfromtheirmore
conventionalnauticalcousins,thelatestgenerationofImperialskypower
wasspeciallybuilttothelatestdesigns.ThosedockedatDianthuswere
littlemorethanagarrison–themainfleetwasstationedatBeaconHillto
theeast,includingthegreatcapitalshipsthathehadoccasionallyseen
fillingtheskyaboveRayford.
Afteradmiringtheviewsfromthetopofthecity,Jagrealised
duskwasfallingandwasremindedbyhisstomachthatheshouldbe
gettingback.HewasnearlyattheGrandShaftwhenheheardtheloud
humofalargeskyshipapproaching.Lookingup,hesawitdescending
towardsanearbyberth,illuminatedbytorches.Asitdrewcloserhecould
makeoutitsangular,metallicdesign;attheaftstoodatallpoopdeck,and
areinforcedforecastleatthefore,whileballistaelinedthesides,stowed
underwoodencovers.
AsJagwatcheditdockedataberthtohisleft.Theclampsswung
outandaboardingplankdescended,andagroupoffinelydressedpeople
hurriedoffandawayintothedarkness.Theywerefollowedbyashort,
stoutfigure.InthedimnessofthequayJagcouldnotmakeoutanydetails,
buthewasfairlysureitwasadwarf.
Dwarveswereknownasrecluses,rarelyventuringoutoftheir
mountainstothewest.Therewereknownexceptions,suchasthe
merchantswhohadoccasionallypassedthroughRayford,butwhilethose
hadalwaysstruckJagasbeingsomewhatscruffy,theirlongbeards
uncombed,thefiguresteppingontothequaysidewassmartlydressedand
carriedhimselfwithanoblebearing.
Afterthattherewasnofurthersignofactivityontheskyship,so
Jagdecidedtogetbacktothetavern.Thejourneybackdownwas
uneventful,aswastherestoftheevening.Aftersomepottageandalehe
wentuptobed,andtriedtoignorehisgrowingfeelingofanxietyforthe
nextday,hopingformorethantheanti-climaxofthenightbefore.
JagstoodoutsidethePalacegate,whichloomedevenlargerinthelightof
day.Thistime,though,asingleflagflewintheskyabovethetower.Itbore
thearmsoftheImperialfamily,anditsmeaningwasclear:theEmperor
wasinresidenceatthePalace,andJagcouldfinallydeliverhismessage.
Onceagainhestrucktheknocker,butthistimetheshutterslid
openalmostimmediately.Theenthusiasticfaceofayounggatekeeper
peeredoutfrombehindit.
“Greetings,Sir.Whatisityourequire?”
Heheldoutthemedallion,wantingtoshowitbeforehecouldbe
turnedawayagain.“JaggarGarrick,ImperialCourier.”Theporter’seyes
widened.“IcomefromRayfordwithurgentnewsfortheEmperor.”The
faceoftheguardwouldhavebeencomicalwerethesituationnotso
serious.
“Uh...Iguessyou’dbettercomein.”Withascreechtheheavy
copperdoorsswungopen.Beyondwasahallwayofstone,runningsome
twenty-fivefeetbeforeenteringawell-litroom.Withsurpriseherealised
thereasonforthelongentryhall:hewaspassingthroughthetowerwalls.
Itwassaidthateveniftherestofthecitywaslevelledtothegroundthe
Palacetowerwouldstillbestandingproud.
ThechamberwaseasilythegrandestJaghadeverseen.Columns
surroundedtheatrium,andthehugebattlefieldpaintingonthewall
oppositewasflankedbytwowidestaircases.Uniformedcivilservants
hurriedpastonjobsoftheirown,eyeinghimwithdisdainfulconfusion.I
supposewithoutthemthesupplyofPerrenesewinemightdryup,ormaybeeven
Munroviansaddles.Ifonlytheyknewwhatbringsmehere.
Thegatekeeperledhimuponeofthestaircases,andalongthe
galleryatitstopoverlookingtheatrium.Doorsledoffontheotherside,
butJag’sguidewasheadingfortheendwhereitroundedthecornerinto
anamazinglytallroomthatformedaroundshaftthirtyfeetindiameter
runningseeminglytheentireheightofthetower,themiddlebeingfilled
byalightbeamreminiscentoftheGrandShaft.Astheyapproacheda
roundplatformaboutsixfeetwiderosetomeetthem;theportergestured
forJagtosteponbeforefollowing,takingholdofthehandlerisingfromthe
centreofthediskandcausingittorise.
Theyfloatedsmoothlyuptheinsideofthetower,pastcountless
levelsofdoorsandarchesandnotstoppinguntiltheyreachedthetopmost
floor.Thearchtherewasfilledbytwodoorsofsolidbronze,justsevenfeet
inheightbutnolessimposingforit.Inalcovesoneithersidestoodfigures
inmarblearmour.TheMarbleGuard.Bothmenwereeasilysixfeettall
andcompletelyencasedintheirarmourofblackstone,polishedtoagloss
andstreakedwithcrimson.Onlytheireyeswerevisiblethroughtheslits
oftheirvisors.Heavybroadswordshungattheirsides.Onestepped
forward,addressingthegatekeeper.
“StateyourbusinesswiththeEmperor.”
ThentheporterwasexplainingwhyJagwashere,andJagwas
presentinghismedallionasidentification,andallofasuddenthedoors
wereslidingsoundlesslyopenandJagwassteppingintothethroneroom.
Hehad,forsomereason,expectedthethroneroomtobegrand
anduncluttered,focusingonthethroneanditsoccupant.However,while
certainlygrand,itwasotherwiseutterlyunlikehisconception.The
Imperialthroneitselfsatemptyatthebackoftheroom,facingthedoors
opposite,butthecentreofattentionwascurrentlyalargetable
surroundedbyfivemen,twoofthemdwarves,andthreewomen.
OneofthedwarvesJagrecognised:itwastheonehehadseen
leavingtheskyshipthenightbefore.Buthiseyesweredrawntotheman
whosepresencedominatedtheroom:amaninhislatethirtieswho,
despitelookingasthoughhehadn’tsleptinawhileandshowingsignsof
thepressurehewasunder,stillmanagedtoconveyasenseofregal
majesty.ItwasHisImperialMajestyEmperorSamuelTitustheThird,
rulerofthelandsandcitiesoftheDianthicEmpirebythewillofthegods.
Thepeopleatthetablewerehunchedoveralargemap,and
lookedupasJagandtheporterenteredtheroom.
Bowingalmosttothegroundthegatekeeperturnedtohis
Emperor.“YourMajesty,mayIpresentMrJaggarGarrickofRayford,come
to-”
“Corporal,corporal,I’msurethisyoungmancanspeakfor
himself,”theEmperorsaidingentleinterruption.
NervouslyJagsteppedforward,feelingtheeyesoftheroomon
him.“Uh...YourMajesty.IamJaggarGarrick,fromthetownofRayford.I
cometoinformyouthatsevendaysagomytownwasattackedand
overrunbyahordeoforcs.AsfarasIknowtherewerenoothersurvivors.”
Thethoughtsofallthosehe’dlostthreatenedtooverwhelmhim,buthe
broughthismindbacktothepresent.
“Rayfordhasfallenalready?Damnit!”Alookofdespairentered
theEmperor’sface,andherubbedwearilyathiseyes.Whenhelookedup,
though,aglintofdeterminationfilledthem.“Thisjustmakesourwork
hereallthemoreurgent.”Hetookaseatatthetable.“Sitdown,Jaggar,
andtellmeeverythingyouknow.”
Jagsat,andtoldtheEmperorallaboutthedestructionofRayford,
inasmuchdetailashecouldrecall,andbrieflyofthejourneythathad
broughthimtothecapital.Whendescribingthedestructionofhishome
townJagfelttearsinhiseyes,butmanagedtopullhimselftogetherto
finishhisstory.TheEmperorandhisaideslistenedwithexpressionsof
sympathy,andoccasionallysurprise.AfterwardsJagsatbackinhischair,
knowinghehadfulfilledhispurpose,andhopefullydonehisbittohelp
preventothertownsmeetingRayford’sfate.
TheEmperorrose.WhenJagremainedseatedoneoftheaides
reachedouttopullhimup,butTitusshookhishead.“Jaggar,”beganthe
Emperorsuddenly,“youhavetakengreatrisksforyourEmpire,andsoI
feelitisonlyrightthatIenlightenyouwiththefullsituationthatfacesus.
“Wehavefearedtheorcswerepreparingtomountaninvasion
sincethefirstreportsfromthenorthernfortstwoweeksago.Whileorc
incursionsaresadlynotsucharareevent,andcanusuallybedealtwith
bythemightoftheImperialLegions,ithasbecomeclearthattheseorcs
arebetterarmed,equippedandnumberedthanhadbeforebeenseen.We
hadhopedthatthefortsoftheRydalLinewouldhavebeenabletohold
themoff,butitappearsthatthehordebrokethroughsomedaysago.
“Thisattackthusposesafargreaterthreatthanhasbeenseenfor
generations,possiblygreaterthantheLegionscandealwithalone.We
needhelp,andouronlyhopelieswiththedwarves,whomaybe
persuadedtoaidusinthiscrisis.Preliminarytalkshavealreadybegun–I
havejustreturnedfromaninitialmeetingwiththeambassadormyselfbutthenextstageistoputourfullcasedirectlytotheDwarvenCouncilof
theHolds.ThisistobethetaskofLordHogan-”hegesturedtoamanof
aboutsixtywhostoodnexttohim,amanwhostillmanagedtolookquietly
dignifieddespitethepatchoverhislefteye–“butitseemswemayalready
betoolate.Nevertheless,allwecandoispressaheadwithallspeed,and
hopethattheLegionscanrepeloratleastholdofftheattackuntilhelp
arrives.”
Jaglookedwithsurpriseatthemanwiththeeye-patch.He
recognisedthenameofLordHogan,ofcourse,buthadnotrecognisedhis
face.LordHoganhadbeenoneofthegreatheroesoftheMannicWars.
TheoldermanleanedovertowhispersomethinginhisEmperor’sear.
Titusnoddedapprovingly.
“LordHoganhassuggestedthatyoucouldaccompanyhimto
Axehold,totellyourstorytotheDwarvenCouncil.Hewillpresentwhat
factswehave,butfeelsthataneyewitnessaccountmighthelptohammer
homethegravityofoursituationand,ifnothingelse,appealtothe
Council’semotions.Afterallyouhavebeenthroughoverthelastfewdays
Iwillnotcommandyoutodoso,butIaskyoutoseriouslyconsiderit.You
wouldtravelwiththeDwarvenAmbassadorDorjekonhisskyship.”The
dwarfJaghadrecognisedinclinedhisheadtowardshim.“So,willyouhelp
takeourpleatothedwarves?”
Inthefewbriefsecondshethoughtaboutthequestion,Jag
identifiedthreeoptionsavailabletohim.Hecoulddecidethathe’ddone
morethanhisfairsharealreadyandleavethiscitybehind,travellingfrom
villagetovillageuntilhefoundsomewheretosethimselfupasa
shoemaker,allthewhilewaitingforhislifetobeonceagainoverrunby
orcs.Or,hecouldsignhimselfuptotheLegionsandhelpinthecoming
war.OrhecouldgoalongwiththeEmperor’sproposal.Hewouldbedoing
morefortheEmpirethanhecouldbyswordalone,andatthesametime
wouldbesafeandseeingmoreoftheworldthanhe’deverexpected.
Therewasn’treallyachoice.
“Whendoweleave?”heaskedtheEmperor.
“Tomorrowmorning.”
ChapterFour
TherewerealotofthingsAramilneededrightnow,butafightwasn’tone
ofthem.Ashotofbrandy,yes,andmaybehispipeoragoodcigar,butnot
afight.Hereluctantlyhandedhispurseovertothethug,andthesharp
pressureonhisthroatwaswithdrawn.ForamomentAramilthoughtthe
muggermightdecidetokillhimforthesakeofit,butthebruteturned
awaywithasneeranddisappeareddownsomedarkDianthicalley.
Sighingwithrelief,Aramilfelthisneck.Itwasintact,whichwasmorethan
couldbesaidforhisdignity.
Theyoungmanlookedaroundindisbelief.Theotherpeople
passingthroughthispartofthecityhadn’tbattedaneyelidattherobbery.
AramilhadheardcountlessstoriesabouttheDocks,butthiswasbeyonda
joke.AndthestupidthingisIcouldhaveguttedhimbeforeheeventouchedme.
Hehadbeenwarnedbeforeheleftnottoresorttodefendinghimselfuntil
itwasreallynecessary.Itwasn’tthattheGuildofWeaponsmithscared
aboutthelifeofsomedegeneratefromthedocks,butdrawingattentionto
himselfcouldjeopardisethemission.
CursingalltheinhabitantsofDianthus’slowerlevels-underhis
breath-Aramilcarriedonthroughthecity.Atleastitwaslightenoughto
see.LightingtheoddtorchwasoneofthefewforaystheCityWatchmade
thislowdown.Maybeafewguardsaroundwouldmaketheplacesafer.Or
maybenot.
Checkinghismapwhiletryingtolookasthoughhewasan
experiencedlocalwasnotaneasytask,butAramilthoughthewasstillon
track.Foronething,thestenchwasworsening,sohemustbeapproaching
thewater.
Ahugecloakedfiguresteppedoutinfrontofhim,blockinghis
path.Notagain!Hewasrunningoutofconcealedpursestohandover.But
themaninfrontofhimdrewbackhishoodtorevealtheroughbut
welcomingfeaturesofScott,anoldfriendofhisfromtheGuild.
“Whatareyoudoingdownhere?”askedthelargemanwith
concern.
“Guildbusiness,”Aramilrepliedsimply.
“Ofcourse.I’vebeengettingittoorecently;I’msureit’sjustafuss
aboutnothing.”
“Ifit’scometosendinghighrankingmembersdowntothisPitlikedumptheremustbesomethingseriousgoingon.”
“Ah,Idon’tknow.Ileavesthosesortofthingstothosewhatknow.
I’dratherbehammeringoutanewbladethanmessingaroundlikethis.If
onlytheGuildwouldletme,”Scottmuttered.
“They’veneverbeenthisbotheredaboutsmugglingbefore.We
allknowitgoeson,butthatdoesn’tmeanwecandoanythingaboutit.”
“Ifonlytheyrealizedit.Idon’tpaymyduestobesenttramping
roundthecity.”
“You’renottheonlyonetofeellikethat.Therehasn’tbeenthis
muchgrumblingintheGuildinallthetimeI’vebeenaround.ButI’d
bettergetoff.Hopefullyseeyouinnicersurroundingssometimesoon.”
Scottagreed,andAramillefthimtoheadawayintothedocks.
AsthesecondsonoftheprosperousSolenfamilythiswasn’t
Aramil’susualhaunt.ButhewasamemberofDianthus’sGuildof
Weaponsmiths,andhewentwhereordered.Whilehedidhavesomeskill
asasmithAramilhadbeenenrolledintheGuildmoreforthepoliticalside
ofthings.Itwasacommonpathforthoseofnoblebirthnotjoiningthe
Legionsortakingpublicoffice,astheGuildswieldedgreatpowerinthe
Empire.Toomuch,somesaid,butitwascertainlyapopularmeansof
gaininginfluence.TheSolenfamilyhadlongassociatedwiththe
Weaponsmiths,soAramilwasfollowinginthefootstepsofhisancestors.
Figuratively,thatwas.Idoubtmanyofthemwouldhavestoodforbeingsent
downhere.
Stillannoyedabouthiscurrenttask,Aramilpenetratedfurther
intothelowestlevel.Herethesmallbuildingsandhousesbegantogive
waytosprawlingwarehouses.Thisgavehimlesschoiceinroute,butthe
streetswereslightlywiderandmoreregularlylit.
Aramilsmiledashepassedawarehousebearingthearmsofthe
GuildofWeaponsmiths.Sothisiswherealloursteelcomesin.Butwhy
couldn’ttheysendoneofthemembersfromdownhere?Heknewwhy,really.
Itwasamatteroftrust.Asanoblesonhehadquicklyrisentoaprominent
positionintheGuild.HewassupposedtonegotiateonbehalfoftheGuild
andhandleinternaladministration,butherehewasonsomesecret
mission.TheGuildclearlythoughtthisaseriousmatter.
AsheroundedthecornerofthewarehouseAramilfoundhimself
standingonthewaterfront.ThewaterwoundthroughtheDockstothe
greatgatewhereshipsentered.Suchshipswerenowlinedupalongthe
quay,inhabitedonlybyratsandnight-watchmen.
Histaskseemedfairlysimple.TheGuildhadrecentlybeen
gettingworriedaboutthesmugglingofweaponsandmaterialsintothe
city,andhadbeeninformedofacertainshipthoughttobeinvolved.All
Aramilhadtodowasboarditandfindevidence:anillegalcargoof
weapons,sotheHarbourWatchcouldbecalledtocheck.Itwouldn’tbe
goodfortheGuild’sreputationiftheydemandedasearchofaninnocent
ship.
Histargetwasfurtherdownthequay:theEbonyArrow,a
standardkindofnameforastandardkindofship.Itwasofanex-naval
classandhaddoubtlessbeensoldassurplustoamerchantafterthe
inventionofskyships.Althoughstrippedtothecivilianlimitofweaponry,
theEbonyArrowwouldstillbecapableofdefendingitself.
Aramilstrolledalongthequayinawayhehopedwasinnocent
yettough.Asinglelightshonefromwithintheship,butitwasotherwise
deserted.Theshipstoeithersideweresimilarlyquiet.Good.Notevena
watchmanondeck.Howverycareless.
Thegangplankwasdown,soitwasasimplemattertocrossover
ontotheshipanddescendasetofstepsattheback.Ashecreptacross
Aramilnotedthetwowidedoorsthathadbeenaddedtothecentreofthe
deck.Theywerewideenoughtoadmitmostcargoes.ItshouldbeAvana
here.Shewasalwaysthebetteroneathidingandcreeping.Ashethoughtof
hissisterhesmiled.AvanahadbeenenrolledintheGuildofMages,and
wasstillstudying.Idon’treallywishitwasherhere.It’suptometolookout
forher.Notthatshe’snotcapableoflookingoutforherself,though.More
capablethanme,insomerespects.
Aramilcreptdownthesteps,awareofeachandeverycreakin
theoldtimbers.Thedeckbelowhadbeenopenedup,sothatitconsisted
ofonlyoneroomfilledunevenlywithlargeclothcoveredcrates,whilein
betweentrapdoorsweresetintothefloor.OpeningafewAramil
discoveredthatsomeledtocabinswhileothersopenedintothehold.
Hisfirsttaskwastoinvestigatethecratesinthisroom.He
suspectedanyillegalcargowouldbehiddenonalowerdeck,butheliked
tobethorough.
Drawingasmallknife,Aramilslicedopenthesideofonecrate.It
wasfullofforeignfoods,whichwasjustwhathehadbeeninformeditwas
payingtaxon.Thenextfewcrateswerethesame,sohecontinuedhis
search.
Aramilwasn’texactlyafraidofbeingcaught.Obviouslyitwould
ruinhismission,andquitefranklyberatherembarrassing,buthe
doubtedtheship’screwwouldharmhim.Onceherevealedhisrankand
thattheGuildknewexactlywhichshiphewason,theywouldprobably
handhimovertotheguards.ThentheGuildwouldpullafewstringsand
he’dbefree.
Whenhissearchofthemaindeckhadprovedfruitless,Aramil
descendedintothehold.Hereitwaspitchblack,sohelithissmalllantern.
Theglowilluminatedwallsofcratesoneitherside,butonlyforafew
yards-beyondthatcouldbeanything.
Aramiltensedatamovementfrombehindtheboxes.Itmust
havebeenfromnearthefloor.Rats.Avanawouldhateit.Quietlygroaningat
thelongsearchahead,Aramilsettowork.
Severalminuteslaterhehadgrownthoroughlyboredofhis
endlessdiscoveriesoffruitandspices.Whenhereachedanothertrapdoor
inthefloorAramildecidedtotakeabreakandinvestigatethedeckbelow.
Couldbepackedwithsmuggledswords.
Aricketyladderprovidedaccesstoasmallerroom.Yetmore
cratesfilledit,buttheseseemedofadifferentdesign.Amoremilitarykind
ofdesign,freeofanykindofidentificationormerchant’smark.Aramil
peeledbackthecanvascoverandpeeredinside.
Aha!Thisisit.Theboxwaspackedwithcombatknivesand
daggers.Rippingopenothers,Aramilunveiledallmannerofweapons,
lightarmourandotherfightingequipment.There’senoughheretoequipa
smallrevolution!Thatwasallheneeded.AllAramilhadtodowastellthe
Guild,andthey’dhavetheHarbourWatchdownontheshiplikeatonof
bricksbeforethenightwasout.
Havingmadeasmallattemptatrestoringthecratestotheir
originalconditionAramilwasreadytogo,andclimbedbackuptothe
maindeck.Thecrateswerejustashehadleftthem.
Asheturnedtowardsthetrapdoorhestopped.There’ssomeone
elsehere...
Thesoundfrombehindwassoft,butenoughtomakeAramildart
forwards.Hewasrewardedbythesoundofaknifesweepingdown
throughtheairbehindhim.Thatwasclose!
“Stop!”calledAramilashespunaround.“IamAramilSolen,andI
comehereonthebusinessoftheGuildofWeaponsmiths.”Thelimited
lightofhislanternwasnotenoughtoseeclearly,butAramilwascertain
heheardachuckle.Ah.Thisiswheretheplangoeswrong.Badlywrong.He
drewhisfinely-wroughtrapierfromitsembroideredscabbard.Likeall
noblesonshehadtrainedfromanearlyageinfencing.Nowhewouldhave
toputhisskillstouse.
AshisassailantadvancedAramilhelduphislantern.Thelight
glitteredfromablackmaskcoveringthelowerhalfofthefigure’sface,and
itworeblackrobes.That’snotyourordinarysailor.Orsmuggler,even.The
robedfigurestruckoutwithitslongknife,andAramilonlyjustdeflected
it.Itstruckagain,andhewasforcedbackbytheflurryofpowerfulblows.
I’mnotgoingtowinhere.Spinningaround,Aramilfledalongthehold.
Thelanternrattledforafewstepsthenwentout.Aramildropped
it.Adoorloomedoutofthedarknessahead,andhehadonlyamoment’s
warningtoraisehishandsbeforecrashingthroughit.
Beyondwasasmallbutluxuriouscabin,litbyafewcandles.A
widewindowlookedoutoverthedocks.Runningatit,Aramilleapt
through.
He’dneverlearnttodive,sohejumpedfeetfirst.Thisprovedto
beastrokeofluckashehitthebalconyonthedeckbelow.
Aramilcollapsedinaheap,winded.Hisattackerwassilhouetted
atthewindowabove.Itpeeredintothedarknessbelow,andthen
disappearedbackintotheroom.
Takinghischance,Aramilloweredhimselffromthebalconyand
droppeddowntothewater.Itwascold,buthewasacapableswimmer.
He’dswuminpools,anyway,notthisfoul-smellingfilth.Aramilheadedfor
thequay,spurredonbytheappearanceofabrightlightontheship.
Ittooklessthanaminutetoreachdryland.Aramilhauled
himselfoutofthewater.Itcouldhavebeenworse.Icouldhavebeenwearing
mygoodclothes.
Thenextthingheheardwasaterrifyingexplosionfrombehind,
andawaveofheatwashedoverhim.Turningaroundhesawflames
billowingoutfromthedeckoftheEbonyArrow.Somethinghaddetonated
inoneoftheholds.
Fromthespeedatwhichtheshipsankintothewater,the
explosionmusthaveoccurredatamostunfortunatespot.Ormost
fortunate,ifyouwerehopingtodestroytheshipquickly.Couldithavebeen
deliberate?VariouspossibilitiesrushedthroughAramil’smind.Theymay
havedestroyedtheshiptostoptheirsmugglingbeingdiscovered.Sounds
drastic,butthatwasclearlyasubstantialoperation.Eitherway,rightnowallI
havetodoisgetbacktotheGuildandletthemdealwithit.
Aramilfoundhisreturnjourneyundisturbed.Mostlocalswere
crowdingalongthequayside,watchingthefieryspectacle.Theserious
criminalsweretakingadvantageofthedistractiontoburgleanywhere
worthburgling.
SoonAramilhadreachedthecentreofthelowestlevelandwas
risinguptheGrandShaft.Atnightthecolumnofmagicforcecastafaint
blueglowoverthesurroundingbuildings.Heautomaticallyfloatedoffat
theTwelfthLeveltofindhimselfinamorefamiliarstreet.
Theroadwaswell-pavedandedgedwithornatebuildings.These
weretheresidencesoftherichestmembersofthemiddleclassandminor
nobility.Thestreetendedinfrontoftheclusterofmassivetowersthat
juttedfromtheeastofDianthus,becomingtheopenplazaknownasthe
Forum.
TheForumwaslinedonfoursidesbymanyofDianthus’sguilds
anditsverybestshops.Thecity’sresidentslikedtogathertheretochator
–ifsufficientlywell-off-eatinthefashionablebarsandcafésthatspilled
outintotheplaza.Aramilhimselfoftenmetwithfriendsandcolleaguesat
lunchorbeforework.Itwasgenerallyfullwellintotheevening,butatthis
timeofnightonlycertainbarswerestillopen.Therewasnooneto
commentonthedrippingfigurethathurriedacrossthesquare.
ThefamiliarcoatofarmshungoverthedoorwaytotheGuildof
Weaponsmiths.Thedoorwasclosed,butAramilwasimmediately
admittedbytheporter.Hewentfirsttohissmallofficetocollectachange
ofclothes,thentothemembers’bathroomtodryhimself.Whenhefelt
restoredtohisusualstandardsofpresentationAramilheadeddeeperinto
theguildhouse,stoppingoutsideaheavyoakdoor.Themahoganyplaque
labelleditastheMaster’sReception.
Afrequentvisitor,Aramilenteredwithoutknocking.Asexpected
theroombeyondcontainedanumberofoldandgrandlydressedmen.
“Ah,MisterSolen.Ihopefromyourreturnthatyoubringgood
news,”greetedone-theGuildmaster,HectorTremple.
“Yesandno,master,”answeredAramilashenoddedtothehigh
rankingguildmembers.“TheshipIsearcheddidindeedcontain
weaponry,butobtainingevidencemayprovedifficult.TheEbonyArrowis
currentlyatthebottomoftheharbour.”
“Goodgrief,”repliedtheGuildmaster.“Amessengerjust
informedusofashipfireinthedocks.Weaskedyoutosearchtheship,not
sinkit.”Aramilexplainedallabouthisencounterontheship,andhowhe
hadescaped.“Myapologies.Ihadnotexpectedyoutomeetanydangeron
board.Weallthoughtyourstatuswouldbeenoughtoguaranteesafety.
Evenwithoutproof,wetrustyourword.Itis,however,notenoughto
convincetheWatch.”
“Yousayyoutrustme,butIcantellthatyouknowsomething
else.”Aramilstoodwithhishandsclaspedbehindhisback.“Withrespect,
smugglinghasbeengoingonsincebeforetheGuildwasformed.Wecan’t
stopit,soweignoreit.Whytakeaninterestnow?”
TheGuildmasterchewedhislipinconsideration.“Thesituationis
gettingmorecomplicated.Wehavereasontosuspectthereisanother
agencybehindit.”
“Couldn’titjustbenormalsmuggling?Dishonestmenavoiding
thetax?”
“Howmanysmugglerswouldtrytokillanobleorsinktheirship
toavoiddiscovery?”theGuildmasterreplied.Hedoeshaveapointthere.
Whowasthatwiththeblackrobesandmask?Aramilwassilent.“There
couldbemorethanjustprofitatstakehere.Wemustallbeonthelookout
forsignsastowhoisbehindthis.”
“I’llkeepaneyeout,Master,”Aramilpromised.
“Isuggestyougetbackhomeandgetsomesleep.Itisn’thealthy
togoswimmingatthistimeofnight,youknow.”Trempleonlyjokedwhen
hewasworried.Takinghisadvice,Aramilbidthemengoodnightandleft.
TheSolenfamily’shousewasontheTwelfthLevelofDianthus,
notfarfromtheForum.Aramilsemi-consciouslyfollowedhisdailyroute
aroundthecurveofthecityasheponderedtheship,theattackerandthe
Guildmaster’sworries.Bythetimehewasstoodinfrontoftheoldwooden
doorstohishomeAramilhadreachedtheconclusionthatallhecoulddo
wasputitoutofhismindforthetimebeing.I’mnotgoingtosolvethe
problembylosingsleepoverit.
Heknockedgently,butthenbeforehecouldlethimselfinthe
doorwaspulledopen.Beyondstoodayoungwomanaboutfiveyearsolder
thanhim.
“HelloSally,”Aramilgreetedthefamilymaid.“Youmusthave
beenwaitingbythatdoor.”
“Iwas,MisterAramil.OnyourMother’sorders.She’sbeen
worryingherselfaboutyou.”
“I’llgoandletherknowI’mback.IsAvanaaround?”
“Yes,shegotbackawhileago.Ithinkshe’sinherstudy.Isthere
anythingyouwantmetobringyou?”
‘Nothanks,Sally,I’mfine.Ishouldthinkyoucangettobednow.
Itmustbepastmidnight.”
“Itis.I’llseeyouinthemorning.”Themaidslippedgratefully
awaytoherbedroom.Aramilwanderedthroughtothelivingroom,where
hismothersatreadinginasoftchair.ShelookedupwhenAramilentered,
andalookofconcernpassedoverherface.
“Aramil,darling,atlast.Butwhathappenedtoyourarm?”she
asked.
Aramillookedoverhisarmsuntilhefoundthecutonhisleft
elbow.Itwasn’tdeep,butafterbeinginthewaterofthedocksheoughtto
getitcleanedup.“Thatmustbefrommyfall.”
“Whatfall?Whathaveyoubeenupto?”hismotheraskedsharply.
Aramilknewherwellenoughtoknowthatshewouldn’tgiveupuntilhe
toldhereverythingthathadhappenedthatnight.“ThatevilGuild,”she
complained.“HowcouldtheysendyououtintotheDockslikethat?”
Whenhismotherhadfinishedhertiradeofwhatsheplannedto
doabouttheGuild,Aramilbidhergoodnightandclimbedthestairstothe
firstfloor.Awoodenpanelledcorridorstretchedthelengthofthehouse,
linedwithdoors.AvanahadherstudyoppositeAramil’s.Heknockedon
hissister’sdoor,andopeneditwhenshecalled.
Avanawaslyingonthesofaoppositeherdesk,andsnappedshut
herbookwhenheentered.“Iwasonthevergeofgivingupwaitingand
goingtobed.Howdiditgo?”
Itwasclearthetwoweretwins.Theysharedthesameblonde
hair(thoughAramil’swascutmuchshorter)andgreeneyes,andthey
werebothfairlytall.
“Itcouldhavebeenworse.Ifoundtheweapons,butthen
someoneinblackrobestriedtostabmefrombehind.Hewasbetterthan
me,andIhadtojumpoutofawindowtoescape.UnfortunatelyIhitthe
balconybelowbeforeactuallymanagingtogetintothewater.”Avanawas
obviouslytryingnottolaugh.“Itwasn’tfunny,”saidAramil,onlymockannoyed.
“PoorAramil.Couldn’tevenhitthewaterfromaship.Isthathow
youcutyourarm?”
“Ithinkso.”
“Letmesee,”sheordered.Avanatookajarofsilverpowderfrom
herdeskandsprinkledsomeintothewound.Aramilrecognizeditfrom
thecountlesstimeshissisterhaduseditbeforetopatchhimupafter
variousscrapes.Groundsilvermoss.Itshouldstopanyinfection.Thenshe
placedherpalmoverthecut.Afeelingofwarmthandapleasanttingle
flowedintohisarm.Shetookherhandawaytorevealthewoundjustas
before.Aramilknewfrompastexperiencethatatpresentshecouldonly
speeduphisnaturalrecovery.“There.Shouldbegonebythemorning.”
“Thatsoon?You’veimproved.”
“AndsoIshould,theamountfatherpaysouteachmonth.With
practiceIcanusemorepower,andregenerateitquicker.Thequalified
magescouldhavehealedthatinstantly.”
“Howdoyoudoit?”askedAramil.“Inlayman’sterms,”headded
quickly.Itwasaquestionhehadoftenwonderedbefore,butAvanahad
neveryetbeenabletoexplainitinawayhecouldunderstand.However,
lasttimehehadasked,shehadpromisedtothinkabouthowbestto
describeit.
“Thatoldquestion.IthinkIcanexplainitthistime.Itwon’tbe
amazingdetail,butIcangiveyouaroughidea.
“Tostartwithyou’llhavetoimaginethepower.Thinkofitasraw
magic.It’sallaroundus,pervadingtheatmosphere.Everyonegeneratesit,
toagreaterorlesserextent;thedifferencewithmagesisthatourtraining
allowsustouseit.
“Firstlywehavetoturntherawpowerintowhateverspecific
forceweneed,anythingfromfiretoinvisiblesolid.That’sdonementally.
Wepassthepowerbeingusedthroughtherelevantpatternofthought.
It’slikewhenyouholdapieceofcolouredpaperinfrontofalamp;the
lightfromthelampistherawpower,andthecolouristheusefulforce.
Thesameasthepaperturnslightintocolour,mymindcanturnpower
intoforce.
“Thehandgesturesarewhatshapetheforce.They’rethe
differencebetweenalineoffire,aconeoraball.Theoreticallyitdoesn’t
havetobeyourhands,butallmagesIknowofhavebeentrainedtouse
hands,simplybecauseit’seasier.Therearehandmovementsforevery
shapemagicforcecanbeusedin.
“Asanexample,thisishowIhealedyourarm.FirstIpulledabit
ofpowerfrommystoreofit,andthenIpasseditthroughthethought
patternthatcreatesthelifeforceusedbyyourbody.ThenIdirecteditinto
yourarmthroughmyhand.Someoftheforcewillgointothehealingparts
ofyourarmandmakethemworkquicker.ThemorepowerIusetostart
with,themoreforceispassedintoyou,sothefasteritwillwork.
Unfortunatelyalotoftheforceiswasted,asI’mnotabletodirectitwith
enoughprecisiontospecificallytargetthehealingpartsofyourbody.You
probablyfeltthewastedforce.”
“Asinthewarmthandtingle?Itwasanicesensation.”
“That’sbecausetheotherpartsofyourarmthatreceivedlife
forcecan’tuseitaswell,soyoujustperceiveitaspleasureorheat.
“Sothat’showthemajorityofmagiciscarriedout.Thereare
otherways,suchassummoningthingsfromotherplaceslikethePitor
magicrituals,butIwon’tevenattempttoexplainthem.Justremember
thatwhatI’vetoldyou–thegenerationandapplicationofforce–isthe
fundamentalbehinditall.”
“Sowhycan’tIdoanyofthis?”askedAramil.
“What,asidefromthefactyou’renotnearlysmartenough?The
cerebralblock,thebarrierbetweenmagicandtherestofyourmind.It
providesthemindalimitedformofprotectionagainstmagicforthe
untrained,butpreventsyoufromtouchingmagicyourself.Asyougrow
olderitgetsstronger.Whenchildrenbegintolearnmagicthatbarriercan
bebrokendowneasilybyatrainedmage.Afteracertainage,about
twelve,itgetstoodangerous.Theforceneededtobreakitdownwould
probablydestroyyourmindtoo.”
“Notgood.”
“Notgoodatall,unlessyouwanttobecommittedtoLongwood.
Anyway,it’sprobablyagoodjobyoucan’tusemagic.Ifyoucan’tjumpinto
theharbourwithoutmissing,whoknowswhatyou’ddotryingtolighta
candle?”
“Thankyouforbringingthatupagain.”
Avanalaughed.
“Comeon,befair.ItwasdarkandIwasrunningaway.You’dhave
donethesame.”
“NoIwouldn’t.FirstI’dhavesethimonfire,andifthatdidn’t
workI’dhavecreatedalighttoseewith,andthenfloateddownthrough
thewindow.”
“Really?”
“Well,I’dhavefallenmoregracefully,atleast,”Avanaconceded.
“Anyway,youusemagiceveryday.”
“How’sthat?”
“HowdoyouthinktheGrandShaftworks?It’snotagiantcrane,is
it?AlltheShaftdoesisprovideanyonewhoenterstheareawitha
constantsupplyofsolidbutinvisibleforce,whichyourcontrollerdirects
intoliftorslightdescent.Oneoftheearliestexamplesofthaumic
engineering,thoughdon’taskmetoexplainhowitworks.”
“AndwheredoestheenergyfortheGrandShaftcomefrom?”
askedAramil.
“Thesameplaceallthecity’senergycomesfrom-theenergythat
lightsthehigherstreetsandchargestheskyships.I’vereallynoidea.I
knowsometimesmagesdonateenergyintoit,butthatcan’tnearly
accountfortheamountwemustuse.Presumablythere’ssomesourceof
energyunderthecity,orit’sroutedfromsomewhereelse.That’sthaumic
engineering,TE:theaccumulationandcontrolorpowerandforceusing
objects.OrastheoldduffersattheMagesGuildwouldcallit,
thaumaturgy.”
AlotofthingsmademoresensetoAramilnow.“Andso
enchanteditemsstoretherightkindofforce?”hesuggested.
“Yes,butIthinkyoumusthavetobindthewayinwhichtheforce
isusedintotheobject.Otherwiseyouraveragenoveltycigarlighterisno
differentfromaflamingsword.”
“Howdoyoudothat?”
“Ihonestlyhaven’taclue.Westartenchantmentnextyear,so
hopefullyI’llbeabletotellyouthen.”
“Sonextyearwe’llbegettinghordesofusefulmagicgadgets
aroundthehouse,willwe?”
“Maybeoneortwo,ifyou’relucky.Doyouthinkyouunderstand
magicnow?”
“Ingeneral,”Aramilventured.
“Wellyoudon’t,notnearly,butIreckonyouknowenoughnow
thatyoucanstoppesteringmeforinformation.”
“Untilthenexttimeyoulearnsomething.”
Avanarolledhereyebrows.“Howaboutagameofcardsinthe
meantime?”
“Justtheone.Doyouknowwhattimeitis?Someofushavedonea
day’sworkalreadytonight.”
ChapterFive
Thesunwasstillrisingasthedwarvenskyship,itsnametheSalamander,
leftitsberthintheAviaryandroseintothedawnsky.Jagstoodatthe
stern,watchingthecityslipawaybeneathhim.Thecrewofdwarves
bustledabouttheirvarioustasks,leavinghimfeelinglikeasparepart.He
hadalreadyvisitedtheengineroom,wherethehugemagic-powered
enginehummedasitpropelledthemthroughthesky,buthadonlyfound
himselfintheway,sonowhecontentedhimselfwithadmiringthe
spectacularview.
TheskyshipswiftlyleftDianthusbehind,headingsouthtowards
thedesertempireofKrakenbar.AtfirstJaghadbeenconfusedbythis
course,butCaptainLysanderhadexplainedit:Axeholdlayonthefarside
oftheWestRange,themountainsrunningalongthewesternborderofthe
DianthicEmpire.TheSalamanderwasarelativelyoldskyship–oneofthe
firstcommissionedfortheDwarvenAirNavy,infact–anditcouldn’tmake
sufficientheighttocrossthehighestpeaks.Theywouldthusheadforthe
SouthernPass,beforeturningnorth.Thedetourwouldaddnomorethan
halfadaytotheirjourney.
Afteraroundfourhoursinwhichthevegetationbelowbecame
noticeablymoresparsetheyapproachedtheborder,anartificialboundary
thatshiftedwitheachyearinanendlesscycleofconquestandreconquest.
Thebuildingsofthefewsettlementsintheareawereshabbyfromtheir
frequentinvolvementinthefighting,theresidentshavinglearnednotto
botherfullyrestoringthem.Wereitnotfortheirimportanceastrading
postsbetweenthetwoempirestheywouldhavebeenabandonedlong
ago.DespitetheproudpublicationofanyvictoriesacrosseachEmpireit
matteredlittletotheresidentswhowasincharge,andtheytreatedboth
withawearyindifference.
Byearlyafternoontheyhadleftbehindthelastsignsofgreenery
andwereflyingoverafeaturelessdesertwasteland,punctuatedonlyby
theoddlonelyhomesteadorinfrequentsettlement.Thenever-changing
landscapeofsandsoonlostitsnovelty,soJagwentbelowdeckstojointhe
dwarvesinthecabin.Theyhadalreadystarteddrinking,withflagons
clutteringthetable.Lysanderwasloudlyrecountingtheexploitsofhis
shipandcrewtoAmbassadorDorjekandLordHogan,illustratedwith
violentgesticulation.
“Ofcourse,theorcsdidn’ttakekindlytoourdemolitionoftheir
idol,andwesuddenlyfoundourselvesstuckinacavewithdozensofthe
buggersandtheentrancecollapsed.Luckilymyhelmsmanatthetime
usedtobeaminer,andhadspottedabreakintherocks.Onegoodhitwith
themaincannonandwebroughtthewholeplacedown,andweblasted
outthroughthecollapsingroof.Gotafewdentsthatday,didn’tyou?”He
pattedthewallaffectionately.
DuringtheafternoonAmbassadorDorjekhandedJagasmall
ebonybox.“Frommychestofdiplomaticgoodieswiththecomplimentsof
theDwarvenHolds.I’dratheryouhadthisthansomeminorfunctionary
whowillprobablyleaveitinitsboxforevermore.”
Jagliftedthelid.Insidewasawonderfullycrafteddagger,witha
sharpsteelbladeandacomfortablehandlewrappedinleather.“A
dwarvenzerfyr,”explainedDorjekproudly.“Itsminorenchantmentallows
itbothtobeusedasasecondaryweaponinpersonalcombatandalsoto
bethrownwithgreataccuracy.Ithasbecomequiteanartamongstthe
youngoftheHolds.”
Jaglookedatitsomewhatdubiously.He’dthrownknivesforsport
withhisfriends,andknewthatthebalancerequiredforathrowingknife
couldneverbefoundinthesturdyweaponinhishands.Seeinghis
scepticism,Dorjeksmiledbeforetakingtheknifeandhurlingitwith
precisionintothecentreofatargetonthewall.
WhenJagretrieveditthebladewasaskeenasbefore.Hetried
himself,andhittheedgeofthetarget.Grinning,hethankedthe
ambassadorand,rememberingDorjek’swishforittobeused,fixedit
usingthesmallsheathintheboxontohisbeltoppositehissabre.He
would,godswilling,neverneedtouseeitherweaponinanger,butthe
zerfyrwasawonderfulgiftnonetheless.
Hesatwiththedwarvesuntilashoutcamefromthelookout
above:Bar-Salowasinsight.Theytroopedoutondecktoseeagrey
smudgeonthehorizon.Atthatdistanceitwasimpossibletodefinethe
domesandtowerstheKrakenbariccapitalwasfamedfor,butinthispart
ofthedesertitcouldbenothingelse.ThesightfilledJagwithdisgust,asit
wouldanytrueDianthicsubject;thepeopleofKrakenbarlivedunderan
oppressiveandintoleranttyrant,andwereknownandhatedfortheir
widespreadpracticeofslavery.Anditwasofcoursetheirtreacherythat
hadlaunchedtheOldWar.
TheircoursetookthemseveralmilesnorthofBar-Salo,and
beforelongthedwarvesandLordHoganhadreturnedtothecabin.Jag
remainedattheprow,watchingthesunbegintoset.Itwasn’tdark,but
twilightwouldbeuponthemwithinthehour.Notacloudmarredthe
desertsky,andthehorizonwasallbutunbroken.ItseemedtoJagas
thoughwhicheverdeityhadbeenresponsibleforcreatingthislandscape
hadsomewhatrushedthejob.
OvertohisrightandalittleaheadJagnoticedablackdotinthe
sky.Askyship?Probablyamerchant.
However,withinaminutethedothadsplitintothree.Three
skyships?Bitmuchforamerchant.CouldbeKraks,Isuppose.That’sthelast
thingweneedrightnow.Hopefullythey’lljustleaveusalone;they’vegotno
quarrelwiththedwarves,afterall.
TheSalamanderwasafinevessel,butthree-to-onewerenot
favourableodds.Thelookouthadclearlyalsoseentheobjects;hejogged
downfromhispostonthefo’c’sleandvanishedbelowdeck.
Theshapeswereapproachingrapidly,andbythetimethecrew
arrivedondecktheywereclearlyidentifiableasatrioofblackskyships
convergingontheSalamander.Theywereofaquitealiendesign,with
pointed,spikyblackhulls.Clawsreachedmandible-likefromafttoaround
theprow.Theyborenomarkingorflag,buttherewassomethingabout
themthatmadeJagshiverdespitethedryheatofthedesertsky.
Lysanderstoodonthebridgeandbarkedorderstohiscrew.
“Helm!Fullhalt.Signals!Demandidentification.Weapons,deploy
everythingandtargetunidentifiedskyships!”Notresponding,theblack
skyshipsglidedevercloser.
Lysanderbellowedintoasteelconeacrosstheever-narrowing
gap.“Identifyyourself!Approachingcraft,identifyyourselforbetreated
ashostile.”Therewasnoresponsefromtheblackskyships,which
continuedominouslytowardsthem.“InTorradun’sname,identify
yourself!”Soundlesslytheshipscruisedonwards,heedlessofthecaptain’s
warning.“Thisisyourlastchance;respondorwewillopenfire!”
Bynowtheywerebarelyahundredyardsdistant,closeenough
tomakeoutdetailsonthehull,butdisconcertinglytherewasasyetno
signofacrew.“Ambassador,I’mgoingtohavetoengagethembeforethey
getanycloser,”saidLysandergrimly.
Dorjeknodded.“Goahead.”
Thecaptainturnedtothegunnerycrewatthemaincannon,a
greatbronzeweaponsculptedtoresemblethelegendarybeastthatgave
theskyshipitsname.“Fire!”
Astreamofflamespewedforthfromthecannonandraced
hungrilyacrosstheshortdistancetotheleadskyship,whereitexploded
intoahugefireball.ThesuddenconflagrationleftJagsweating,blinded
andgaspingforair.
Assoonasherecoveredhesawthedestructiontheshothad
wroughtonthetarget.Theentireforethirdoftheshiphadbeen
completelyblastedaway,leavingasmokinghulkplungingdowntothe
sandfarbelow.However,despitebeingrockeddangerouslybythe
explosion,thetwosurvivorscontinuedonwhatseemedtobeacollision
course.Theclosertheydrewwithoutalteringtheirvelocity,theclearerit
appearedthatsuchwastheirintent.
“Dive!”yelledCaptainLysanderinanefforttoescapethe
impendingcrash.InresponsethehelmsmanplungedtheSalamanderinto
asteepdive,andJagwasthrownintotherailingface-first,gaininga
bloodylip.Betterthatthannothittingtherailing,Isuppose.
Thetworemainingblackskyshipsfollowed,butmadenoattempt
toram.InsteadonepulledupalongsidetheSalamander,keepingpacejust
fifteenfeetaway.“WhointhePitarethesefools?”askedoneofthe
dwarvesloudly.
Stilltheskyshipdrewcloser,nowonlytenfeetaway.Thenaline
ofredappearedalongthehull,steadilywideningasalargedoorswung
outtorevealared-litroomwithin.Moreworryingly,itrevealedseven
figuresstandingsilhouettedontheedge.“Everyonearmed!”ordered
Lysander.“Iftheysetfootonthisdeckthenwe’renotlettingthemstepoff
again.Captiveswouldbeappreciated,butdon’ttakeanyrisks.Otherthan
that,sendthembacktothePit!”
NowLysanderturnedtoDorjek,LordHoganandJag.“Youthree
shouldgetbelow.I’msurewecanhandlethis.”Theambassadorheftedhis
axesingle-handedlyandswungitinafigureofeight.
LordHogansmiledanddrewaslimsabre,offeringtheblack
skyshipanditspassengersamockingsalute.“It’sbeenalongtimesince
mybladelasttastedblood,butit’sjustaskeenasatPellon’sBridge.”
Jagnoticedthecaptain’seyeswereonhimnow.Withonlythe
slightestflourishhedrewhisswordand,afteramoment’sconsideration,
thezerfyr.Well,I’mnotgoingtobetheonlyonetositthefightingout.
Hehadonlyamatterofseconds–thoughitfeltlikehours,andyet
wasstilltoolittle–tocalmhisgrowingfearbeforeeverythingkickedoff.
ThesevenfiguresleaptsoundlesslyontotheSalamander’sdeck.Theyall
haddrawnbladedquarterstaffsfromwithintheirlooserobesofjetblack,
andtheirfaceswerecoveredbyblackmetalmasks.
Assoonasthemysteriousattackerslandedtheycrashedintothe
dwarvenline,staffsflashingouttofindgapsinarmourbeforetheirvictims
couldswingtheirheavyaxes.TheonenearestJagsteppedoverafallen
dwarfwithacutthroatandturnedhisattentiontoanotherpairnextto
Jag.Foramomenthefroze,tryingtoresisttheintensedesiretofleetothe
deckbelow.No.We’vegottofightthemnowwhilewehavethechance.
Hestruckoutwithhisswordfromitsside,buthisfoesawthe
attackandparried,quicklyfollowingwithaslashatJag’sneck.He
desperatelyblockedwithhisnewdagger,catchingthequarterstaffand
holdingitlongenoughtolungewithhissabre.Therobedfigureleaptback,
thoughnotbeforeJag’sbladehadbittenintoitsstomach.Itseemingly
didn’tnoticethedwarfapproachingfromitsotherside,whofelledit
clearlywithhisaxe.
Thissmallvictoryheartenedthedwarveswhostruckback
furiously,bringingdownanothertwobyweightofnumbers.Thedwarves
hadtwoofthesurvivingattackerssurrounded,leavingJagstanding
awkwardlyinreserve,whileontheothersideofthemeleethefinaltwo
duelledLordHogan.Theolddukefoughtelegantlyandefficientlywithno
moremovementthanrequired.AsJagwatchedhesliceddownintotheleg
ofoneofhisopponents,parriedtheother’slungeand,duckingunderthe
weapon,slidhisbladeuptocutintothedarkwarrior’swrist.Swiftlyhe
movedtoclinicallydispatchhisinjuredfoes.
However,anyfeelingofvictorywasshortlived.Ashoutcame
fromLysanderonthepoopdeck.“Tothehelm!Retreattothehelm!”
Thoughstillsufferinglossesthedwarvesoutnumberedtheattackers
enoughtobeconfidentofsuccess.We’llcertainlybeatthemiftheonesonthe
otherskyshipdon’t...Damn!Theotherbloodyskyship!
Jaglefttheremainderoftheoppositiontothedwarvesand
sprintedupthestepsattheaft.Dorjek,Lysanderandthreeofthecrew
werefightingalosingbattleagainstanothersixrobedwarriors,their
backstothestern.Theseventhstoodatthehelm,awoodenwheel,and
withacoldlaughshoveditallthewayforward.
ThefrontoftheskyshipseemedtodropawayastheSalamander
plungedintoasteepdive.Jagwasagainthrownintotherailing,butpulled
himselftohisfeetandstruggleduptheslopetowardsthewheel.Hewas
quicklyinterceptedbytheattackerwhohadputtheskyshipintoher
suicidedive,andtheyexchangedfranticblowsasitspedtowardsthe
ground.Jagcaughtaglancingblowonhisshoulder,andgrittedhisteeth
againstthepain.
Hesawhewasgettingnowhereandthegroundwasrushing
closereverysecond.IfIdon’tgetpastthisonewe’llallbedead.Thisisnotime
forfencing.ImmediatelyfollowingahighslashJagkickedoutintohis
opponent’sstomach,doublingitover.WhileitwaswindedJagsnappeda
kickintoitsface.ItsmasksplitopenandJaghadaglimpseofapalehuman
facebeforehescrambledupthedecktowardsthewheel.
Whenhewasjustthreeyardsawayoneoftheattackersbrokeoff
fromkillingthelastfewdwarves,drewaknifefromitsrobesandhurledit
straightatJag’sheart.Hisonlyoptionwastodivesideways,rollingbadly
andcomingtohisfeetsixyardsfromthecontrols.
Hethrewhimselfforwards,butknewitwastoolate.Theground
wasrearingupandthecontrolsweresickeninglyoutofreach.Asthe
Salamanderploughedintothegroundandheslippedfromconsciousness,
Jagrealizedthathisquesthadfailedonthedayitstarted.Therewouldbe
noaidforDianthus,andthecitywouldfall.
Itwasnoon,orthereabouts.Thatmuchwasobviousfromtheheat.Hewas
inadesert.Therewasn’tmuchelseitcouldbedescribedas,considering
thesandasfarashecouldsee.Thisadmittedlywasn’tfar,sinceheseemed
tobelyingbeneathacurvedsheetofsteel.
Jaghadalwaysbelievedyouwenttothegodswhenyoudied.
ThatwaswhattheytoldyouinTemple,anyway.TheGreatLightorthe
GreatDarkness,theHolyCityorthePit.Neverforamomenthadhe
thoughthe’dspendeternityinpainstretchedoutinsomedesert.This
couldbesomenewtormentdreamedupbythedaemons,buthefelt
ratheraggrievedtothinkhe’dendedupinthePit.Jaghadtriedtolivea
goodlifeaccordingtotheteachingsoftheDianthicPantheon,andhislast
fewdayshadseemedaticketstraighttothegodsofGood.Whyheshould
nowbelyinginadesertdefeatedhim.
Adesert...thatwaswhereIdied,wasn’tit?Ormaybe...Jagliftedan
armexperimentally.Ithurt,butitdidmove.Anewandradicalideacame
tohimthroughthefogthatfilledhismind.Maybe...maybeI’mnotdead.
MaybeI’mstillalive!Exhaustedbythismentalleap,Jagfellbackinto
unconsciousness.
OnceagainJagawoke,thistimewithaclearerpictureofhishealth.Hewas
fairlyconfidentofbeingalive,andmiraculouslynothingseemedtobe
broken,althoughhecouldn’tidentifyasinglepartofhimthatwasn’tsore.
Hisinjuredshoulderwasparticularlypainful.Themaindangernow
thoughwastheheat,andhewasinlittledoubtthatwereitnotforhis
shadehewouldbedeadbynow.
Helookeduptoseewhatthesheetofmetalwas,andgroanedas
herecalledtheeventsofthedaybefore.Itwastheshatteredandtwisted
wreckoftheSalamander,halfburiedinthesand.Theimpacthaddistorted
theironhull,andthewoodenupperdeckshaddisintegrated,butthe
once-proudskyshipwasstillrecognisable.Therewasotherwreckage
scatteredaroundthearea,butitseemedthattheotherskyshipshad
explodedbeforetheyhittheground;theywouldkeeptheirsecretseven
now.
ThosewhohadattackedtheSalamanderhadtobemorethanjust
pirates,becausenopiratewouldlaunchasuicidalattacklikethat.
Whatevertheywere,theymusthavebeenutterlycommittedtotheir
cause.Whohadaninterestinstoppingthediplomaticmission?Theorcs,
obviously,buttheblack-robedmenhadnotbeenorcs.Andwhohadever
heardoforcsusingskyships?
That’saquestionforanothertime,whenI’mnotstrandedinthe
middleoftheKrakenbaricdesert.AtthemomentIcan’thaveanymorethanan
hourunlessIcanfindsomewater.Timetomove.
Ithurttostandup,buthisthirstoutweighedthepainofhis
bruising.Hewanderedthroughthewreckage,notentirelysurewhathe
waslookingfor.Ah,anotherlittlemiracle.Theskyship’sonboardwatertank
hadsplit,butsomewaterremainedcuppedinashadedfragment.My
luck’sgottorunoutsoonerorlater.Thewaterfeltwonderful,andJag
gulpeddownenoughtoslakehisthirst.
Afterthatitwastimetoexplorethewreck.Jagbegansomewhat
cautiously,awarethatifhehadsurvivedthensocouldothers,andnotall
theothersontheskyshipattheendhadbeenfriendly.Heneedn’thave
worried,fortherewerefourteenrobedcorpsesscatteredaround.Sadly
therewerealsomanydwarvenbodies,includingAmbassadorDorjek,and
alsoLordHogan.Lyingsurroundedbyhisdownedfoes,theheroofthe
MannicWarssomehowmanagedtolookasdignifiedindeathashehadin
life.However,toJag’sregrettherewasnotimetoburythem.Hesimply
movedthebodiesintotheshelterofthelargestpieceofwreckage.Dorjek
hadahip-flaskofbrandy;Jagmutteredanapologybeforetakingit,
downingthelastofthecontentsandfillingitwithwaterfromthetank.
Thebodiesoftheenemyweremoreintriguing,howevermorbid
Jag’ssearchwas.Allwereseeminglyhuman,albeitwithskinapalertone
thananyJaghadseenbefore,andcarryingnothingbuttheirrobesand
staffexceptforonewhohadsomethingdifferent.Somethingvery
interesting.Inapocketinhiscloaktherewasaparchmentscroll.Oh?This
couldhavesomeanswers.Carefullyunrollingit,Jagreadthemessage
pennedinspideryscript.
BrotherGrafz,youhaveneworders.ThePlanapproachesfruition,
andcenturiesofworkwillsoonpayofftothegloryoftheMaster.Thisworld
willbecleansedofiniquity,andyourcellhasanimportantparttoplay.
AgentsinDianthusreportthattheDianthicEmpireisinnegotiations
withtheDwarvenHolds.Shouldtheysucceedtheywillbringthefullforceofthe
Dwarvenarmiestobear.Atthisstagethatcannotbeallowedtohappen.The
aboveagentshavegivenusanidealopportunitytodelayit.Adiplomatic
skyshipleavesDianthusonDecembertheThird,headingfortheSouthPass.
Interceptanddestroyitatallcosts.Remember,theDawnapproachesandthe
MasterwillrewardthosewhoserveHim,inlifeordeath.Shouldyoufailand
dieyouwillbedamnedforevermore.Shouldyoufailandliveyouwilldiscover
howmuchofthePityoucanexperiencewhilestillalive.Ithereforesuggestyou
donotfail.
Omega
Jagreaditwithhorror.Thissoundedlikeacult.TheSalamander
hadbeenbroughtdownbyfanaticalcultistsworkingforamysterious
Master.Whateveritwas,thisPlandidn’tseematalldesirable,ifthey
wantedtopreventaidcomingtoDianthus.Itwasdifficulttoseewhostood
togainfromthecity’sdestruction,exceptperhapsKrakenbar,butsurely
eventheycouldn’tbestupidenoughtopreferorcsastheirneighbours.
ThelanguagesuggestedtheMasterwassomethingmorethanmortal,an
evenmorefrighteningprospect.Justwhatareweupagainst?
Jagsawhehadtwooptions.HecouldreturntoDianthusin
failure,ajourneyacrossalmosttheentirewidthofKrakenbaraswellas
thewar-tornborder.ButbythetimeheinformedtheEmperorand
anotherattemptwasmadeitcouldbetoolate.Or,hecouldcontinue
whereheleftoffandtrytoreachtheDwarvesonfoot,presentingthe
Emperor’spleahimself.Itwouldprobablysaveweeks,whichcouldmake
allthedifference.Didn’theoweittothepeopleofRayford,andallthose
othersinthepathoftheinvasion?Itdidn’ttakelongtoreachadecision.I’ll
doit.TheEmperortoldmetogototheDwarves,andsoIwill.I’vealways
wantedanadventure,andthisisit.
Jagwasabouttosetoffwhenhesuddenlyrecalledacommentof
LordHoganthedaybeforetheSalamanderhadleftDianthus.Hereturned
tothemakeshiftmortuaryand,apologisingonceagain,removedthecloak
fromaroundLordHogan’sshoulders.Itwasanunembellishedpieceof
deepgreen,butJagwasnotinterestedinitsfashionvalue.Insteadhe
handledthefabricuntilhefeltthetell-talecrackleofparchment.Hogan
hadconcealedhisplannedpleatotheDwarves.Moreusetomethanitis
him.Jagdrapedthecloaklooselyabouthisshouldersandpreparedto
leave.
Turningfromthemainwreckhesawapairoflegsstickingout
fromunderachunkofwoodencabin.Ashemovedtowardsthemone
twitched,andJagdrewhissword.Carefullyhetookholdofthescrapand
lifteditawaytoseewholaybeneath.Lysander!
“Captain!Wakeup!”Jaggentlyshookthedwarf,whogrunted.
“Nowwhat?Whycan’tyoujustletmesleep?”
“It’sJag.We’vecrashed!”
“Really?Ihopenothing’sdamaged.”SorryCaptain.Jagslapped
Lysanderonthecheekandthedwarf’seyessnappedopen.“Jaggar?”
QuicklyJagexplainedwhathadhappened.“TheSalamander...myship...”
“I’msureyou’llgetanewone.Butatthemomentwe’vemore
importantthingstoworryabout.Suchasfirstofallgettingoutofthis
bloodydesert,andthenreachingyourpeople.”
“You’recarryingontoAxehold?”
“Thatwasalwaystheplan.Youdon’twantthesebuggerstowin,
doyou?”
Lysandershookhishead,thenwinced.“Doyouknowwhichway
togo?”
“Uh...notreally,”Jagadmitted.
“Luckilyforyouthere’salwaysmyinfalliblesenseofdirection.”
Hepointedsouth.“Bar-Saloisthatway.”
“That’sbetterthannothing,Isuppose.”
“Areyousureyouknowwhereyou’regoing?”askedJag,atraceofdoubt
creepingintohisvoice.
“Ofcourse”
“Onlywe’vebeengoingforatleastthreehours.”
“Itellyou,Bar-Saloisdirectlyahead.”
“Howfardirectlyahead?”
“Uh,fourmiles.”
“Sowe’vecomeamileoverthelasthour?”
“Maybemylastestimatewasabitout.”
“Thisonehadbetternotbe.Thatwasthelastofthewater.”
“Don’tworry;Bar-Saloisfamedforitsfountains.”
“That’snotgoingtohelpuswhenwe’redehydratingahundred
milesaway.”
“Haveyouanyconfidenceinmewhatsoever?”
“No.”
“I’msureI’veseenthatdunebefore.”ItwaspastmidnightandJagwas
extremelythirsty,nottomentioncold.Hehadn’texpectedthechillofthe
desertnight,andnowpulledhiscloaktightlyaroundhimself.
“Nonsense,theyalllookthesame.Especiallyinthislight.”
“Howfarnow?”
“Notfar.”
“Howfar?”
“Afewmiles.”
“Exactlyhowfar?”
“Idon’tknow,”admittedLysander.Great.
“Lysander,arewelost?”
“Notexactly.”
“Andwhatdoesthatmean?”
“Well,weknowwhereweare,intheKrakenbaricEmpire.And
weknowthatifwekeepgoinginthisdirectionwe’lleventuallyget
somewhere.Probably.”
“Isee.Sowearelost.”
“Youcould-uncharitably-saythat.”Nevertrustaninfalliblesense
ofdirection.“Waitaminute,what’sthat?”Thedwarfpointedtoagrey
smudgeonthehorizon.
“Probablyamirage.”Jagwasirritablefromhisthirst,butstillhad
enoughsensetoseeanopportunityofescapefromthedesert.“Still,it’sgot
tobeworthatry.”Halfanhour’smarchbroughtthemtothetopofahigh
dunefromwheretheylookedoutoverthecityofBar-Salo.
ItwasthelargestcityinKrakenbar,andfarremovedfromthe
Dianthicfrontierhadsurvivedandprosperedtodisplaymagnificent
architectureintheKrakenbarictradition:flatroofsforthemostpart,but
mixedinwithgranddomesthatdrewtheeyeacrosstheskyline.Thecity
wasdominatedbytheEmperor’spalace,hailedbymanyasoneofthe
wondersoftheworld.Itwastrulyspectacular,withsevendomes
surroundingahugetowerthatthrusthighintothesky.Itwasalsothe
centreofoneofthemostoppressiveregimesintheworld;somesaidthere
wereoverathousandslavesworkinginthepalacealone.
“Aha!Lysander,I’llneverdoubtyouagain.Youtrulyarea
genius!”
“WhatdidItellyou?HowdoyouthinkIbecameaskyship
captain?”SecretlyJagfelttheyhadarrivedmorebyluckthanbyjudgment,
buthewastoopleasedatbeingsparedadeathfromdehydrationtomake
apointofit.Despitehisrelieftherewasstillonepointthatbotheredhim.
“Anyideasonhowwesurvivethecityitself?”TheKrakenbaric
Empirewasnotoriouslyunwelcomingtounauthorizedforeigners,
especiallyfromitshatedfoeDianthus.
“We’lldealwiththatproblemwhenwereachit.Justkeepyour
headdownandwe’llbefine.”Jaggaveintothedwarf’sindomitable
optimismandfollowedhimdownthesideofthedune.
TheroadsintoBar-Salowerepackedwithmerchantsandthe
farmerswhokeptwhateveranimalstheycouldinthedesert.Itwasa
simplemattertoslipintothecrowds,butasthegatesapproachedit
becamepainfullyobviousthateveryonehadpaperswiththem-papers
givingthempermissiontoenterthecity.Hm,noentrytoDianthicspies,I
guess.Howarewesupposedtogetauthorisation?
AboutahundredyardsfromthewallsJagnoticedaman
travellingtheoppositeway.Itwasatrader,withallhisgoodsinapackon
hisback.Helookeddejected,andJaghadasuspicionwhy.“What’sthe
matter?”heaskedasthemanpassed.“Won’ttheyletyouin?”
“Icomeallthiswayacrossthisgods-forsakendesertwithgoods
fromtheProvinces,spendthenightinthatcampfullofthieves,thenthe
pompoussodsonthegatetellmeIneedtoapplyforamerchant’spasstwo
weeksinadvance.Theysaythisisacityoftrade,butItellyou,itdoesn’t
doitselfanyfavourslikethis.”
“Nochancetogetapassonthegatethen?”
“No,theyjustgavemesomepaperstofillinandtoldmetoenjoy
mytimeintheWestgateMercantileEncampment.Theysaiditwouldbe
doneintwoweeks.IthoughtIcouldmakemyfortuneinBar-Salo,butat
thisrateI’llbeluckytocovermyexpenses–ifI’vegotanythinglefttosell
inafortnight’stime.”Jagcommiseratedthemerchant,frowning-butan
ideawasforming.
“Lysander,aretheysearchingthewagons?”
“Idon’tknow.Lookyourself,you’retaller.”Asfarashecouldsee
authorizationwassufficientforentry,thewagonsreceivingthemost
cursoryofchecksthattheywerecarryingwhattheyweresupposedto.In
theoryawell-hiddenstowawaycouldenterthecityunnoticed.Beingseen
wouldresultinimprisonment,ormorelikelyexecutioniftheywere
thoughttobespies,butitwasthebestchancetheyhad.Itwaseitherthat
orappealtotheguards’betternature,andthatwassomethingforwhich
theEmpireofKrakenbarwasnotparticularlywellknown.
ChapterSix
Stowingawaywaseasiersaidthandone,buteventuallythechancearose
toslipunnoticedinsideacoveredwagonbeforeitreachedthegates.A
cargooffruitboxesprovidedampleconcealmentfromtheopeningatthe
rear.
Therideintothecitywascrampedbutsafe,andastheyhad
hopedthecheckwassomewhatlessthanthorough.Fiveminuteslaterthe
wagondrewtoahalt,givingJagandLysanderthechancetoslipoutbefore
thedriverbegantounload.
Theyhadarrivedbehindawarehouse,anddashedintoan
alleywaybeforestoppingtogettheirbearings.
“Congratulations,Lysander.Inevershouldhavedoubtedyou.
Nowwejustneedsomesuppliesforthedesertandthenweshouldgetout
ofhereassoonaspossible.Idon’tknowiftheycheckpasseswithinthe
city,butIdoubtwe’reevergoingtobeguestsofhonourhere.”
“I’veneverbeenheremyself,butmyunclecamethroughherea
fewtimesontrade.Idon’tremembermuchofwhathesaid,otherthan
thathewasveryimpressedwiththepublicfountainsinthecitycentre.I
thinkthatwasprettymuchtheonlythinghedidlike;otherthanthathe
hatedtheplace.Idon’tknowaboutyou,butI’dkillforadrinkrightnow.It
can’tbehardtofindashopwithdesertequipmentinthemiddleofthe
cityeither.”
Jagcouldn’tfaultthedwarf’slogic.“Whichwaytothecentre,
then?”
“Ithinkthatsignisabitofagiveaway,”Lysanderreplied,
pointing.”Fivehundredyards.ThelanguageofKrakenbarwasn’tfar
removedfromDianthus,andJagcouldfollowitwithrelativeease,only
beingcaughtoutbyoddwordsandturnsofphrase.
“Well,notimelikethepresent.”JagletLysanderleadtheway
intotheheartofthecity.
Aspromisedtherewereindeedpublicfountains.Bar-Salowas
rightlyproudofthem,andwhentheyarrivedmanyofitsinhabitantswere
makingthemostofthefreewatersupply.Jaggratefullyquenchedhis
thirstbeforewashinghisfaceandhair.Itwashardlysurprisingthat
peoplecamefromallaroundtoseethefountains;outinthedesertwater
wasprecious,notsomethingtobesquandered.Hereitwaspipeddown
fromfarawaymountains,orsoLysanderclaimed.
JagwassittingontheedgeofthefountainwaitingforLysanderto
finishwashinghisbeardwhenhenoticedapairofrough-lookingcity
guardsstaringatthemfromafewyardsaway.Heturnedawaytotryto
hidehissharpDianthicfeaturesbut,ashewatchedoutofthecornerofhis
eye,theylaughedandsaunteredovertothedwarf.
“Whatyouupto,stunty?”sneeredonewithathickaccent.Great:
racists.AndIthoughtIwastheonewho’dbeintrouble.
“Bitofalongwayfromhome,aren’tyou?”saidtheother.
Lysanderturnedtofacethem,andthefirstshovedhimroughly.
“Wedon’twantanytrouble,”saidJag,buttheyignoredhim.
Lysandersaidnothing,butJagcouldseehewasseethingwithangerand
tryingtobitebackaretort.
“Whydon’tyougetbacktoyourmuddyhole?”tauntedthefirst
guard.
“Yeah,gobackinthemmountainswhereyoubelong.Wedon’t
likeyourtype‘roundhere.”ThentheKrakenbaricsoldierreachedoutto
grabLysander’sbeard,andtuggeditnonetoogently.
InthetimeJaghadknownhimLysanderhadbeenanexception
tothedourandgrumpydwarvenstereotype.Hehadneverseenthedwarf
angry-untilnow.
WitharoaroffuryLysanderheftedhisaxeasheleaptfromthe
fountain.Evenbeforehelandedtheweaponwasswinginginalethalarc
towardsthebullyingguard.Itwouldhavebisectedhimatthewaisthad
hisfriendnotpulledhimoutoftheway.Justwhatweneed.
Nowtheguardsweredrawingtheirownweapons,fearturningto
outrageandfinallyamusement.Soldiersrushedthroughthecrowdfrom
alldirections;iftheystayedanylongertheywouldbetrappedforsure.
“Run!”Jagshouted.Lysanderwasinnostatetohear,nevermindobey,so
Jaghadtoforcehim,grabbinghimbythecollarandtuggingsharply.
LuckilysomepartofLysanderrealizedhowdesperatetheir
situationwasandheturnedtofleewithJag.However,thedwarfwasnot
builtforspeed,andJagwassoonslowingforhimtocatchup-givingtheir
pursuerstimetoclosethegap.“Comeon,faster!”Itwasnogood,though:
Lysanderwassprintinghisfastest.TherealizationhitJagthathewould
sooneitherhavetoabandonhiscompanionorbecaughthimself;
Lysandercertainlywasn’tgoingtoescape.
Havingreachedtheedgeoftheplazawithoutbeingintercepted,
hisdilemmawassolvedastheyenteredaside-street.Abrickwall
stretchedacrosstheirpath,toohightoclimb,trappingtheminadeadend.
Jagconsideredturningback,butitwastoolate:halfadozenKrakenbaric
guardshadalreadyroundedthecornerandslowedtoawalk,confident
theyhadwon.Themosthecouldhopefornowwasthattheywere
arrested,ratherthansimplyexecutedonthespot.Notthattheirchances
wouldbemuchbetterinjail.Lookslikethegodshavehaditinforthis
missionfromthestart.AndifKrakenbarwasbehindtheattackonthe
Salamander,thentellingmystorywillonlymakethingsworse.
“Alrightthen,youtwo.Upagainstthewall.Handsintheair.”The
sergeantorderedmentodisarmthemandputtheminmanacles.Jag’s
swordbeltwasremoved,andboththesabreandzerfyrwithit.Someone
whisperedtothesergeant,whonodded.“Bettermakethisofficial.Stunty,
Dianthicscum,youareherebyarrestedbytheGuardofKrakenbarfor
crimesagainsttheSultanandhisEmpire.Youhavebeenwitnessedinthe
actofassaultuponaguard,”hesaid,pointingatLysander,beforelooking
atJaguncertainly.“Youwereprobablyanaccomplice.Bothofyou,follow
me.”
JagandLysanderwereledthroughthecitytowardsanimposing
barracksofthecityGuard,afunctionalbuildingofthickstonewithnarrow
windows.Apairofguardsoutsidewerepuffingonfoul-smellingpipesand
glaringatallwhopassedby.
Onceinsidetheyweretakendownintotheprison.“You’llbetried
bytheCourtoftheCityinthreedays,”theyweretold.“Waithereuntil
then.”Therewasn’tmuchchoiceaboutwaiting:theywereshovedintoa
darkcellandthedoorwaslockedbehindthem.
Atfirstitwasimpossibletoseetheoppositewallofthecell,but
asJag’seyesadjustedtothegloommoredetailsrevealedthemselves.
Noneofthemwereparticularlyappealing.
Thecellwasabouttenfeetbyfifteen,witharoofsevenfeethigh.
Allfourwallsweremadeofstoneblocksandtheonlylightcamefroma
smallbarredwindowinthecornerneartheceilingataboutstreetlevel.
Thepileofragsinthecornerwaspresumablyintendedforbedding,as
nothingelsehadbeenprovided.
“Well,well,well.CaptainLysander.Wasn’tthatclever?Somuch
forkeepingourheadsdown,eh?”Jagwasseethingwithfury.“Thevery
survivalofDianthusdependsonus,soyougoandloseyourtemperover
somestupidinsultsandgetuschuckedinjail.Anyoneelsecouldjust
ignorethethick-headedbigotsbut,ohno,Lysanderhastogoandattacka
guard.Abloodyguard!Inthemiddleofapackedplaza,forthegods’sake!
Whatwereyouplayingat?You’reabloodyliability!Ithoughtyouknew
howseriousthisis.”
Lysanderlookedthoroughlyashamedofhimself,acceptingJag’s
rantwithoutcomplaint.“I’msorry.Butagrownmanpullingadwarf’s
beard?It’snotdecent!Infact,it’sprobablytheworstinsulttoadwarf’s
honourpossible.”
“TothePitwithyourhonour!There’smoreatstakeherethan
yourbloodyhonour.Whowouldyouratherbeinhistory:thedwarfwho
hadhisbeardtugged,orthedwarfwhodoomedDianthustodestruction
bylosinghistemper?”
“Probablynotthelatter,”mumbledLysander,glowingabright
crimson,buthisembarrassmentwassparedasthecellwassuddenly
filledwiththesoundofhigh-pitchsinging.
“Amanandadwarfwentintoatown,
Tryingtosavetheworld.
Butthenabigguard,didgivethemafrown,
Andthedwarf,histemperunfurled.”
Itwasn’timmediatelyclearwherethesongwascomingfrom,
untilthebundleofragsshifted.Jaghadthoughtittoosmalltoconceala
person,butthefigurerevealedwouldbeaboutthreefeettallstandingand
hadagreyshadeofskin.Agnome?
“Welcometothisfineresidenceintheheartofthecity,styledina
veryminimalistfashion.Thisisthehomeofthelegendary,thecelebrated,
themasterfulTrinkertipthebard,martyrforthefreedomofpoetry.”I’ve
heardthatnamebefore,quiterecently.Yes,that’sit:thatstorytellerbackin
Greyhillmentionedhim,attheend.Lookslikehislittlecrusadefailed.“Poetry,
musicandtalessince605.”Hedoesn’tlookforty-two,butthentheydosay
gnomesageslowerthanus.
“Sohowdidyouenduphere?”askedJag,angerforgotteninhis
surpriseandcuriosity.
“Haveyounotheardmywoefultaleofself-sacrificeformyart?I
cametothiscursedcityayearagotogiveothersthechancetoexpress
themselvesthroughsong.Buttheungratefulpopulacehadmearrested
andnowhereIam.FromwhatIheardIthinkI’vegotyourstory;wasmy
songaccurate?”
“Justabout,ifpoeticallyprettydire,”repliedJag.
Trinkertipignoredthelastcomment.“AndwhatshouldIcall
you?”
“I’mJaggarGarrick,orJag.”
“Youcancallmeastupidfool,butnormallyI’mCaptainLysander
oftheDwarvenAirNavy.OfthelateskyshipSalamander.”
“Youseemtohavegotyourselvesintoarightoldmess,”
commentedTrinkertip.
“Youcouldsaythat,”agreedJag.
“Ido,”noddedthegnome.“Doyouknowwhatwillhappentoyou
next?”
“Thesoldiersthatarrestedussaidwe’dbetriedbytheCourtof
theCity,”Jagreplied.
“Thatsoundsaboutright.IntheKrakenbariccriminalsystem
therearetheCourtsoftheCityforcrimesineachcity,Courtsofthe
Departmentformoreseriouscrimesineachofthesixteendepartments
andtheCourtoftheEmpirewhichdealswiththemostseriouscrimes.
ThereisalsotheCourtoftheLegions,forcrimeswithinthearmedforces,
andtheCourtoftheState,supposedlyforcrimeswithinthegovernment,
thoughofcourseitiswhollywithoutteeth.
“Yourcasewillbeheardbyalocalmagistrate.Therewillbea
prosecutorwhocanbringforwarduptofivewitnessesbutasneitherof
youarenativesofKrakenbaryouwon’thavetherighttoadefence.The
magistratewilldecideyourguiltandyoursentence.Giventhathe’llbe
heavilybiasedagainstyou,thechancesofgettingfreeareveryslim.For
assaultonaguardyoucanexpectatleastsevenyearsinprison.Andof
coursethey’llrevokeyourpermittoentertheEmpire,thoughIdaresay
you’llhavehadenoughofitbythenanyway.”
IttookamomentforJagtoabsorballthis,andwhenhehaddone
theideaofsevenyearsimprisonmentdidn’tsoundtoobadconsideringthe
alternative.Thensomethingelseoccurredtohim.“Wedon’tactuallyhave
authorizationtobeinthecity,”heexplained.
“Ah.Yourchances,then,areasslimastheSultan’sdancers.First
youwillbefoundguiltyofunlawfulentrytoBar-Salo,sentencedtofour
years.Afterthatyouwouldneedamiracletoavoidenslavementfor
assaultonaguard.I’dgetusedtothiskindoflifestyleifIwereyou.Which,
ofcourse,fortunatelyformeI’mnot.”Hethoughtforasecond.“Hangon.
WouldIberightininferringfromyouraccentthatyou’refromthe
DianthicEmpire?”Jagnodded.“Ah.InthatcaseeverythingI’vesaidsofar
ismerelyacademic.You’relookingatpublicexecutionforspying.Ata
minimum.”
“Soessentiallywe’rebuggered,”surmisedJagflatly.
“Correct.Ifyou’restillhereinthreedaysthenyou’llnotsee
Dianthusagain.Idon’tknowwhatthisquestofyoursis,butitwon’tbe
goinganywhere.”
Jagnoddedthoughtfully.“Anyideasonhowwecouldgetoutof
here,then?”
“Withgreatdifficulty,”repliedTrinkflatly.
Jagclosedhiseyesforacoupleofsecondsandresistedtheurgeto
throttlethegnome.“Inwhatway?”
“That’satrickyone.Theydon’ttendtoencouragethatsortof
thing.”
“Surelythere’sanopportunitysometime.Doweevergetlet
outside?”
“No,notunlessyougetsenttotheslavemarkets,oroneofthe
publicsquaresforexecution.Bothunderfullguard,ofcourse.”
“Whendotheguardshiftschange?”
“Everytwohours,butwithaminute’soverlap.Besidesthat,you
mayhavenoticedthedoor.It’slocked,bytheway.”
Jaghunghishead.“Whatdowedo,then?”
“Justwaituntiloneo’clocktonight,”Trinkertipanswered
enigmatically.
“Why?What’llhappenthen?”
“You’llsee.Don’tgetyourhopesup,though,Ican’tpromise
anything.”
ForthefirsttimeinawhileLysanderspokeup.“Igotyouinhere,
Jag,andI’llbedamnedifIdon’tgetyouout.IfyouneedmetoI’llwillingly
beadiversion.”
“Nonsense,we’llallgetouttogether,”saidJagwithmore
confidencethanhefelt.Alreadyhebegantodoubtit.Ifitcomesdowntoit,
thatcouldbeouronlychance.It’sessentialthatatleastsomeonegetsawayto
reachtheDwarvesandwarnaboutthiscult.Idon’tlikeiteither,butit’ssimple
prioritising.“Comeon,Trinkertip,telluswhat’shappeningtonight.”It
appearedatfirstthatthegnomewasthinking,butafteranextended
silenceJagdecidedthathewasprobablyasleep.“Ireckonhe’sgotthe
rightidea.Hopefullythisisgoingtobeaninterestingnight.”Jagcurledup
inhiscloak,readyforanightonthecold,hardfloorofthecells.
Jagawokewithasmallgreyhandclampedoverhismouth.Itwaslateat
night,orearlyinthemorning,andthemoonlightstreamingthroughthe
smallwindowwasalmostentirelyblockedbyasilhouettedfigure.“What’s
happening?”hemumbledintoTrinkertip’shand.
“ThisisBennedic,lieutenantoftheBlueArmy,”saidthegnome,
introducingthemanatthewindow.
“BlueArmy?Whosearmyisthat?“
BennedicansweredhimselfinaneducatedKrakenbaricaccent.
“Youcouldsaywe’reKrakenbar’sarmy.Onlywestandforthepeople,not
thecorruptgovernmentandtyrannicalSultan.”Ah.Rebels.Thiscouldbeour
chance.“Trink’stoldmehowyoucametobehere.Youhavemy
congratulations.Youstooduptothosebullies,andwe’regoingtogetyou
out.TheBlueArmyalwaystriestohelpthoseunjustlyimprisoned,
especiallyiftheystoodagainsttheregime.”
Jag’sheartleaped,buthestilldidn’tseehowitcouldbedone.
“Wow.Thanks.Sorrytosoundsceptical,though,buthowexactlycanwe
getoutofhere,evenwithhelp?”
“Bepatient.You’llfindoutthistimetomorrownight.Untilthen,
restandbereadyforaction.”
“Onething,Bennedic,”Lysanderbegan.“HowbigisthisBlue
Army?”
“Mainlyconfinedtothiscity,buttherearecellsscatteredaround
theEmpire.There’saboutahundredofusactivehere,thoughthereare
manymoresympathetictothecause.Ourultimategoalistooverthrow
theregime.Untilthatdaywejustorganizeprotestsandminorstrikes
againstthegovernment,likestealingweaponsandsupplies.”
Theguardoutsidethedoorcoughed,silencingBennedicfora
moment.Afteramomenthecontinued,thistimeinawhisper.“Ishouldbe
going.Oneo’clocktomorrowmorning,okay?”Withthatthelieutenant
disappearedfromthewindow,leavingJag,LysanderandTrinkwith
nothingbutthepromiseofarescue.
Thenextdaywasutterlyuneventful,butasidefromthegut-wrenching
apprehensionnotasunpleasantasitcouldhavebeen,sinceTrinkkept
thementertainedwithhisstoriesandsongs.Theygotonwell,whichwas
justaswellgiventhegnome’spowerfulpersonalityandloveofthesound
ofhisownvoice;otherwiseJagwouldprobablyhavestrangledhimwell
beforethedaywasout.Themaindrawbackthefood,whichleftmorethan
alittletobedesired.ClearlytheworldfamousKrakenbaricskillatcooking
didn’textendtotheirprisons.
Despitethegoodcompanythedaystilldraggedonandnight
seemedtotakefarlongertofallthanithadanyrightto.Itwasimpossible
topreciselytrackthetime,butJagguessedithadtobearoundoneo’clock
atnightwhentheyheardaspromisedasharpwhisperatthebarred
window.
“Trink!Jaggar,Lysander!Uphere!Areyoulotready?”Bennedic
peeredin.
“Forwhat?”Lysanderasked.Theyhaddiscussedtheescapeat
lengthandhadfailedtoagreehowitwouldbestbeachieved.
“Gettingoutofhere,”answeredBennedicshortly.
“Isthereanychanceofhearingtheplanbeforeweactually
escape?”enquiredJagmoredirectly.
“Patience,patience.Ifyou’requietforawhileI’lltellyou.Thisis
goingtobetough,butnotthehardestjailwe’veeverbroken.There’sone
weakspotwecanexploit.”
“Whatever’sthat?”askedLysander.
“Justthink.Allfourwallsfaceintoasecurebuilding,butthis
windowwhereI’msittingleadsstraightfromyourcelltoabackalley
alongsidetheguardpost.”
“It’sabitsmall,isn’tit?”wonderedJag,lookingupatthewindow.
“Plusthebarssomewhatcomplicatematters.”
“Itwon’tbebythetimewe’refinishedwithit.”Bennedicheldout
asmallmetallicdiscaboutthesizeofhispalm.“Magicexplosivesbeingset
aswespeak.Hardlysubtle,buteffective.You’renottheonlyonesgetting
outtonight;we’redoingthesamethingtosomeoftheothercells.Mainly
politicalprisoners.Anyway,theconfusionshouldbeenoughtogetyoutoa
safehouse.
“Andafterthat?”Jagasked.
“Ican’tyetsay,butyouhavemywordyou’llbeoutofthecity
withintwoweeks.”Bennedicheldupahandtostoptheprotests.“Aftera
jailbreaktheyalwaysstepupsecurityonthegates,andyou’renotgoingto
beabletoslipoutunnoticed.No,noteventonight.Bythetimeyou
reachedthegatesthey’llbelocked.CanIaskhowyougotin?Itdoesn’t
soundlikeyouhadtimetoapplyforamerchant’spass.”
“Wehadtostowawayonawagon,”explainedJag.
“Weweredangerouslyclosetodehydration,butluckilytrusty
CaptainLysanderwasheretosavetheday,”boastedthedwarf.“Ifound
thecityofBar-Saloinallofthiscurseddesert.That’sdwarvennaval
navigationforyou.”Overthecourseofthedayhisself-esteemhad
recovered.Bennedicdisappearedfromviewandreturnedafewseconds
later.
“We’reset,”heannounced.“Everyoneready?Good.Listen
carefully.Getovertothefarsideofthecell.Sitdown,headbetweenyour
legs,shutyoureyesandcoveryourears.Notyet,letmefinish.Assoonas
theexplosiongoesoffwe’lldroparopethroughthehole.Upitasquickas
youcan.Remember,ouradvantageissurprise,sowemustn’tdelay.Once
you’reupfollowme.It’llbeadifficultrun,butnottoolong.”
“Andiftheychaseus?Dowestandandfight?”askedLysander.
“No!Keepmovingatalltimes.Ifnecessarywe’vegotbackupen
route.They’lldealwithanypursuit.Nomorequestions?Good.Thentake
cover.You’vegottwentyseconds.”Againthelieutenantdisappeared.They
tookuppositionontheothersideoftheroom.Therewassilence,andJag
satinslightlyfearfulanticipation.ItmustbenearlyTheexplosionrippedawaythecornerofthecellinadeafening
roar.Stonewassmashedlikeplaster,andchunkscrasheddownintothe
room.AshardhitJag’sshoulder,cuttingdeepintohisfleshandcausing
himtocryout.Thecellwasfilledwithadensedustthat,apartfrom
blockingvision,wassickeningtoinhale.ItburnthisthroatbeforeJag
thoughttoholdhisbreath.
Hestaggeredup,walkingintotheropebeforeseeingit.Bennedic,
oroneofhisfellowsoldiers,wasyellingsomethingfromabove,andshouts
weregoingupthroughoutthebuilding.Blindlyhepulledhimselfup,
accidentallykickingsomeonebelowintheface.Atleastthatmeans
someone’salive.
FinallyJagemergedfromtheremainsofthecellandintothe
chaosofthestreetabove.ApairofImperialguardscamesprintingaround
thecornerandstraightintothelineofadozenBlueArmysoldiers.The
revolutionariesconsistedofmenandwomen,thestrongandthenimble,
manydifferentnationalities.MostwereKrakenbarichumans,butthere
wasalsoastrongDianthicpresenceandevenadwarf.Thetwoguards
werebroughtdownasfirstTrinkertipandthenLysanderclamberedout.
“Withme!”screamedBennedic,leadingthemaway.Therestof
therebelspreparedtoholdofftheKrakenbaricsoldiersarrivingallthe
time.
“Whataboutthem?”askedJag.
“Don’tyouworryaboutthem;they’renotgoingtowastetheir
livesforyou,”thelieutenantassuredhim.“Assoonaswe’reawaythey’ll
escape.Thebestthingyoucandoisrunfaster.”
Bennedicwasleadingthem,aswellasafewothersfrom
neighbouringcells,downanarrowalleyway.Suddenlyhescrambledup
somecratesontoalowroofatthebackofashop.Jagfollowed,andassoon
ashewasupsawhisguideclimbingadrainpipe.“Quick,weneedtobeon
therooftopsbeforeanyonespotsus!”Jagwouldhaveacknowledgedthe
command,buthewasalreadyoutofbreath.Despitethathejumpedas
highaspossibleontothepipe,readytopullhimselfuptherestoftheway.
Orsoheintended.Intheadrenalineoftheescapehehad
forgottenhisinjuredshoulder,butassoonasheputhisweightonit,it
gavewaywithastabofpainandafreshsurgeofblood.Jagwasleftflailing
intheairforamoment,clutchingthepipewithhisgoodarm.Justbefore
droppinghefeltsomeonegrabhiscloak,heavinghimupontotherooftop.
“Youshouldhavetoldmeyouwereinjured,”Bennedicscolded
him.“Icouldhavehelped.”Jagjustthankedthemanbeforegrittinghis
teethandfollowinghimacrosstherooftop,tryingtoignoretheblood
spreadingacrosshisshirt.
Fromthenontheymadetheirwayfromrooftoroof.Thejumps
rangedfromonefoottothreeyards,andattimestheyhadtocrosspreplacedplanksacrosslargergaps.Inplacestheywereforcedtowaitforthe
lessfitescapeestocatchup.ItmusthavebeenalotharderforTrinkand
Lysander,beingsomewhatshorter,buttheyrefusedanyhelp.
AsBennedichadpromisedtherunwasnotthatlong,butitwas
stillagoodquarterhoursincetheescapebeganwhenhecalledittoahalt.
Theywerecrouchedbehindanadvertisingboardontheroofofwhat
seemedtobeashop.Itoverlookedasmallcourtyardsurroundedbythe
buildingsofthecity.BynowJag’sshoulderwasveryweak,andstill
bleeding.BettergetthatcleanedupsoonorI’lllosethearm.That’sifIdon’t
dieofbloodlossfirst.
“Right,”saidBennedic.“You’vealldonewell.We’rejustabout
homenow.”AsJagsatpantingBennedicclimbedoverthesmallwall
edgingtheroof,grabbingitinbothhandsasheloweredhimselfuntilhis
armswerefullyextended.Hethenbegantoswingbackandforth,before
throwinghimselfforwardsintothegalleryoverlookingthecourtyard.Jag
leantoverthewalltoseehimwaving.“Younext,”hecalled.
Jaggrabbedthewallandputhisweightonhisgoodarmashe
loweredhimselfover.Bennedicgrabbedhisfeettopullhimin,andhe
allowedhimselftodropdownintothegallery.
Hestoodinanarcadearoundasmallgardenfullofroses,with
smallhousesandshopsleadingoffthroughnarrowdoors.Togetherthey
helpedtheothersdown.Assoonasthelastpersonhadtouchedthe
groundBennedicwasoffagain,leadingthemaroundthegallerybefore
theydroppeddowntoanother,smaller,courtyard.Hestoppedoutsidea
plaindoorwaythatcouldeasilyhavebeenthebackofoneofthedozensof
kebabshopsJaghadseeninthecity.
“Thisisit,”announcedBennedicproudly.“Theheadquartersof
theBlueArmy.PerhapsoneofthemostsoughtafterplacesinBar-Salo.
I’msureIdon’tneedtoaddwhatwouldhappentoanyonewhogaveaway
itslocation.”Heknockedonthedoor.Aneyeappearedmomentarilyata
peep-holebeforethedoorwasunboltedandswungopen.
“Goodwork,sir,”saidtheyoungmaninside,saluting.
“Thankyou,private,”repliedBennedicashereturnedthesalute.
“Anywordontheothers?”
“None,sir.Allnewsisgoingstraighttothecommonroom,so
you’llknowassoonasanyone.Besides,Ithinkthey’vegotyouadrink
downthere.Thegeneralissavingthedebriefinguntileveryone’sback.”
“Thanks.Iguesswe’llbeheadingthatwaythen.”Bennedic
turnedtotheescapees.“Especiallysinceyoulotowemeadrink.Comeon.”
“We’vedoneit,then,”laughedTrink.
“WithnolittlehelpfromthisBlueArmyhere.ThanksBennedic,
we’dneverhavedoneitwithoutyouandyourfriends,”saidLysander.
“That’swhatwe’reherefor.Still,Iwouldn’tmindathank-you
drink.”
“You’llgetone,”saidJag.“Orrathermorethanonebythetime
everyoneherehasshowntheirgratitude.Butfirstyou’regoingtohaveto
showustothebar.”Bennedictookthemdeeperintotheheadquarters,
whichextendedlikearabbitwarrenthrougharowofneighbouring
buildingsandcontainedeverythingthatanarmywouldrequire.Jag
glimpsedinpassingawell-equippedarmoury,trainingareas,an
infirmary,akitchen,messhallsandplanningrooms.Therewaseven
accommodationforthoserevolutionarieswhocouldn’tliveopenlyinthe
city.
“Ahyes,wehadateamblowtheguardhousearmouryatthe
sametime,soifyoulostanythingwhenyouwerearresteditmightbe
worthcheckingouttheloot,”Bennedictoldthemonthewaypastthe
armoury.
Eventuallytheyreachedthecommonroom,mostnotableforits
bar.Asidefromthat,itwasfunctionallyfurnishedwithwoodenboxes
actingastablesandstools.HerethemenandwomenoftheBlueArmy
relaxed,waitingfornewsofthenight’soperation.Acheerwentupasthey
entered,followedbyatoasttoBennedic.Hesoonhadalineofdrinksthe
lengthofhisarmwaitinginfrontofhim,butwashardlytouchingthem,
simplysippingnervouslyatabrandy.Astheeveningcontinuedhebecame
increasinglyagitated.Jagguessedhewasworryingabouthiscomrades
whowerestilloutonthestreets.
“I’msurethey’reallright,”JagtoldBennedicinanattemptto
cheerhimup.“Yousaidyourselfthatthey’dfallbackassoonasitlooked
liketheywereindanger.”
“Notiftheyweresurrounded,theywouldn’t,”thelieutenant
pointedoutmorosely.ThelastthingJagwantedwastomakethingsworse,
sohethoughtitbettertoleaveBennedictohimselfandsetofftofind
directionstothemedic.
Bennedic’sfearsweresoonprovedunfoundedasajubilantsquad
ofBlueArmysoldiersreturned,havingsustainednofatalitiesandonly
treatablewounds.Theeveningcontinuedwiththeirexaggeratedtalesof
fighting.However,halfanhourlateramessengerarrivedinthecommon
roomwithanorderforallofficerstoreportfordebriefing.Withmuch
grumblingtheylefttheirdrinksbehind,discussingthehardshipsof
promotion.
BythetimeJagreturned,havingreceivedabandagetohis
shoulderandinstructionstoavoidstrainforaweek,LysanderandTrink
weredeepinalow-stakescardgamewiththecelebratingrebels.The
gamewasaKrakenbariconeandquitenewtohim,butTrinkseemedto
knowitwellandhadsoonshownhimhowtoplay–thoughJagsuspected
thegnomewasnotrevealingeverythinghecouldhavedonewhere
convenient.
Thedebriefingroomwasacomfortableplaceadjoiningthegeneral’s
chambers,withbatteredsoftchairsinasemi-circlearoundastout
woodendesk.BehindthissatGeneralDeloresoftheBlueArmy,and
loungingonthechairsweretheofficersthathadtakenpartinthe
operationaswellastherestoftheRevolutionaryCouncilofBar-Salo.
Deloreshadherblackhairtiedbackinashortpony-tail,andworeaplain
andundecoratedshirtandtrousers.
“Thankyou,myfriends,”shebegan.“Itseemsyoumanagedto
pullitoffafterall.CaptainPashkar,thiswasyourshowsowouldyoulike
toreportfirst?”
“Wellma’am,itwentoffbetterthanexpected.”Thiswasthefirst
timePashkarhaddirectedanoperationhimself.Hewasnervous,but
quicklypulledhimselftogether.“At0045bytheLawSquarewater-clock
everyonewasinposition.At0100wemovedouttopreparethe
explosives.Ma’am.Wewereundetecteduntiltheexplosion,andassoonas
theprisonerswereoutLieutenantBennedicledthemawaywhiletherest
ofusfoughtrearguardagainsttheincomingImps.Idon’tknowhowmany
therewere,though,”headmittedworriedly.
“Onlyfifteen,fourofwhichweretakenoutbyarrowsandanother
twoupclose,orsoIbelieve,”addedalieutenant.
“Wegavetheescapeesabouttwominutesbeforeweretreatedas
planned.AfterwesplitupSergeantHashek’sgroupfoundtheirroute
blockedbyaroadblock,andsotookadetourviatheEastSlums.AsfarasI
knowthiswastheonlydeviationfromtheplan.”
“Anycasualties?”askedDelores.
“None,thoughfiveminorinjuries.”
“Welldone,captain.We’vehadagoodnight.”Deloressmiled
warmly.“Now,ColonelKumar,haveyouspokentotheescapeesyet?”
Thelargered-facedmantookaswigfromthetankardhehad
broughtwithhim.“Yesma’am,inbrief.Allaswehoped.Themerchants
havebetweenthempromisedusnearlyahundredgoldoncetheygetback
home,andasmuchagaininarms,equipmentandsupplies.Onehas
contactsintheProvincesthatcouldproveusefullater.TheDianthicspies
havepromisedtotrytosecuremoresupportfromDianthus.Ohyes,and
thatruddygnomehasmadehisusualpromises.Thelateadditions,a
dwarfandaDianthichuman,don’tseemtohaveanyimmediateuse,but
accordingtoTrinkthey’reonamissionimportanttoDianthicsecurity.The
dwarfconfirmsit,thoughhewon’tgointoanymoredetail,butIhaven’t
spokentothemanyet.That’swhyIauthorisedtheirrelease–whatis
dangeroustoDianthusisdangeroustous,asI’msureyou’reallaware.I’ll
speaktothemagainlater.”
“Excellent.UnlessanyonehasanymorepointstoraiseIthink
that’sit,”saidGeneralDelores.Theroomwassilent.“Congratulations.This
hasbeenasuccessfulnight.Seeyouallatthebar.”
ChapterSeven
AvanaglidedsmoothlytothegroundfromtheGrandShaft,landinglightly
ontheFifteenthLevel.Althoughitwasnearlynineo’clockinthemorning
therewerefewpeopleaboutinthisarea,andshemadeherwayalong
withoutseeinganyonesheknew.
Herethebuildingswerefargranderthanthoseofthedocks
below,grandereventhantheTwelfthLevel,andwerethedomainof
Dianthus’snobilityandrichestmerchants.Althoughmostlylargemultilevelhousestherewastheoddshoptopeerintoontheway,selling
expensiveimportsfromforeignlands.AsAvanaprogressedfurthershe
passedafewshopssellingobscurealchemicalandmagicalequipmentand
supplies-complicatedarrangementsofglasstubingcompetingforspace
withbitsofplantsandanimalsshedidn’tevenrememberreadingabout.
AhundredyardsoutfromtheShaftitwouldbecleareventothe
mostuninformedtouristwhythereweresomanyshopscateringfor
wizardsinthearea.Thrustingupattheendofthestreetlikeagreatgaudy
castlerosetheDianthusBranchoftheMostVenerableSocietyofMagical
Practitioners-theMages’Guild,asitwasmorecommonlyknown.
TheDianthusBranchwasnotthelargestorevenoldestbranchof
theGuild.ThathonourbelongedtoRavenstop-thehalf-fortress,halfmountainheadquarterstotheeastthatwasnearlyasoldastheEmpire
itself.WhentheMagesGuildwasfirstfoundedtheyhadbeenrefused
permissiontoestablishaguildhallinthecityduetotheperceivedriskof
magicalaccidents,andsohadbuilttheirownstrongholdoutinthe
country.Somesaidtheyhadevencausedthemountaintoriseup,though
Avanadoubtedeventhegreatestwizardscouldperformsuchafeat.
TheDianthusBranchhadbeenestablishedrelativelyrecentlyjustoverthreehundredyearsago.SincethenithadbecometheGuild’s
mainpointofinteractionwiththeoutsideworldandhadbeentheschool
ofcountlesscitystudentsofmagicfromtheageoffifteen-thosewhocould
affordtheheftyfees,anyway.Mostchildrenwiththenecessary
intelligencewouldbeapprenticedtothelocalwizard.
Avana,asadaughteroftheSolenfamily,hadbeenabletotakea
placethereafterfouryearswithaprivatetutortobringheruptothe
standardexpectedforentry.ShehadbeentoRavenstopjustthreetimesonce,likeallyoungmages,forregistrationwiththeGuildearlyon,again
formatriculationintothecollegeandmostrecentlyfortheendofyear
feastlastyear.TheDianthusBranch,however,hadbeenalmostasecond
homeoverthelastthreeyears.
“Ho!Avana!”cameashoutfrombehindher.Turning,shefound
herfriendDavid-thelankysonofanotedshipbuilder-hurryingtocatch
up.“Holdonaminute!”
“Hi,David.”
“Hi.”Theboycaughtupandwalkedinsilenceforamomentashe
regainedhisbreath.“So,teleportation,eh?Shouldbeafunday.”
“Idon’tthinkweactuallygettoteleportourselves.That’sbeyond
evenmostoftheteachers.”
“Oh.”Davidlookedcrestfallenforasecond,butasusualcheered
himselfupquickly.“Still,maybewe’llbeabletoseeitdone.IreckonI
couldpickitup.”
ThepairwalkedonuntiltheyreachedtheGuildbuilding.Itwas
infactseveralbuildings,manyofthemextendingupanddowntodifferent
levels.TheyhadbeeninstructedtoreporttotheDepartmentfor
TranslocationalStudies,accessedbytheLevelFifteenreception,foraday
longworkshop.
Bythetimetheyenteredthereceptionhall-oneoffouracross
thedifferentlevels-theywereinaloosecrowdoffellowstudentstheir
agewhoseemedtobeheadingforaspiralstaircaseinasidewall.Itwas
notoneAvanahadusedbefore,butthenshehadneverhadcausetovisit
thisparticulardepartment.Thetwoofthemjoinedinthescrambleto
reachthestairs,alongwiththetraditionalshovingandsurreptitious
magic.
IntheheartofthescrumAvanawasalmostatthestairswhen
shewasdoubledoverbyaninvisibleblowtotheribs.Standingupshesaw
agirlsheknewonlyvaguelypushingpasther.Oi!Avanaemptiedher
mindbeforeformingthefamiliarthought-patternoffire.Shethendrew
outatinyamountofpower,passeditthroughthementalfilterand,
pointingafingeratthegirl,directedtheforceatherrobes.Therewasa
burstofsmokebeforehertargetwasbentovertryingtosmotheroutthe
fireatherhem.Avanasniggeredassheshovedpastandreachedthestairs
herself.
Therewasreallynopointtothestruggles-thelessonwouldn’t
startforanothertenminutes-butstillthestudentswouldfighttoget
through.Theywerelikeanyothercollectionofadolescents,really,only
withtheabilitytohiteachotherwithouttouching.Itwasevenrumoured
thattheseniorGuildmagesandteachersencouragedit.Afterall,there
wasnothinglikebeingjabbedbyinvisiblesolidtoencourageayoungmage
toperfecthershieldtechnique.
AssheascendedthestairsAvanaformedaninvisiblesolidshield
ofherowntoprotectherfrombehind.Iwouldn’tputitpasthertotrytaking
mylegsout.
AtthetopAvanafoundDavidwaitinginlineoutsidealecture
roomwithFritzandJamish.Thethreeseemedtobeinananimated
discussionofthelatestmagicalduellingtechniques.
“Avana,catch!”criedJamishashespottedher.Theboyfrom
Krakenbarspreadhisfingersandemittedaconeofcold-freezingthe
waterintheairintosmallcrystalsthatflewatAvana.Almostinstinctively
sheheldoutherhandpalmoutwardsandspreadashieldinfrontofher,
deflectingthesprayoficejustintime.
Sheshotallthreeboysadirtylookastheylaughed,andwas
consideringamorepainfulresponse.“Youonlyjustcaughtthatone.Ifit
hadn’tbeenforthewarninghe’dhavegotyou,”Fritzpointedout
needlessly.HewasfromDunkelwaldintheProvinces,andwaswearing
oneofitscustomarytallhats.WithoutanythingwittytosayAvanajust
glaredatthem,andwasabouttotryaspelltocatchJamishoffguardwhen
theirlecturerarrived,walkingbrisklydownthecorridorfromthestairs.
TheteleportationlecturerwasnotamageAvanaknewbyname,
butshehadseenhimonceortwiceabouttheguildhallbeforenow.Hewas
wellintohissixtiesandcarriedabrass-headedcanethatheswung
vigorouslywitheachstep.
“Getin,boysandgirls,wehaven’tgotallday,”saidthewizard
frombehindabushywhitebeard.Heappearedtoconsiderthisforafew
secondsbeforecorrectinghimself.“Actually,wehavegotallday,which
mightprovesomethingofadisadvantage.Takeyourtime,takeyourtime.”
Theclassfiledinandtookseatsinthelectureroom.Itwas
actuallymoreofalaboratory-cum-study,hastilyclearedtoadmita
mismatchedcollectionofchairstofillthemainspace.“Welcome,”
announcedthewizard,“totheDepartmentforTranslocationalStudies.In
effect,myoffice.MynameisBerwick,andIhavebeenresearchingthe
subjectoftranslocation-orteleportation,asIbelieveyoulotwouldcallitforthelastfortyyears.
“Iknowthroughexperienceexactlywhatyouwillbewantingto
askme,sotosaveyourbreathImightaswellanswernow.Yes,Ican
teleportmyself.Andno,Iwillnotbedemonstrating.Evenforoneas
skilledasIitisnotsomethingtobetakenlightly.Iwastaughttheskillbya
wizardknownasHamish-‘theHaggis’somecalledhim-whoforaslong
asIhadknownhimhadusedawoodenleg.Hehadalwaysledmeto
believehehadlostthelegwhileduellinginhisyouth,butonthedayIfirst
managedtoteleportmyselfherevealedhehadactuallyleftthelimb
behindonedaywhenhetriedtoteleporttothebar.Nearlydiedofblood
loss,andhadafalselegfortherestofhislife.
“So,ontotoday’sfunandgames.Intheirineffablewisdomthe
Guildhavedecreedthatinordertoenjoyaroundededucationyou
studentsneedaknowledgeofmagicaltranslocation,andthatthebestway
toprovideitistolockyouinaroomwithmeforadaywhenyoucould
otherwisebestudying.Iwilldomybesttoenlightenyou,butletmemake
onethingclearfromthestart:Iamnotheretoteachyoutoteleport.My
smalldepartmentsimplycannotaffordthecleaningbill.Andthereisno
pointinmetryingtoimposethetheoryonyou-thisisaskillhalfintuition
andhalfobservation.Thetheoryonlyreallyneatensitupsomewhat.
“InsteadIwilltodaytellyouaboutmyownresearchonthe
subjectinthehopethatyoumightgainsomeunderstandingfromit.Some
ofyouwillfinditinteresting,Iamsure.Thosewhodon’twilljusthaveto
putupwithit.
“IncaseanyofyoureallyareasdullasyoulookIwillbeginwith
thebasics:teleportationiswhensomebodyandtheirimmediate
possessionsaremovedfromoneplacetoanotherwithoutpassingthrough
theinterveningspace.Nowthingsgetmorecomplex.
“Nearlytwentyyearsagoaground-breakingexperimentby
HensmanandMagglewichfoundthatwhenteleportingfromonesideof
theEmpiretotheotherthereisagapofasplitsecondbetweenwhenthe
wizarddisappearsandwhenhereappears.Now,Iamsureyoubright
youngpeoplewillallimmediatelybeprotestingattheimpossibilityof
this.No?Nowcomeon,boysandgirls,anyonehazardaguesswhy?Itgoes
againstafundamentallawofmagic.Who’sgoingtotellmewhichone?”
Halfadozenhandswereraised.“That’smorelikeit.Iseesomeofyouare
awakeafterall.Right,theboywhoreallyshouldhaveremovedhishaton
enteringmyroom,evenifitiscultural.Whatisit?”
Fritzloweredhishand,surprisedtobechosen.“IsitHorton’s
Law?”
“Youtellme,”repliedBerwickevenly.
“Itis?”venturedFritz,hisvoicenotmatchingthesuretyofthe
words.
“Indeeditis.Forthebenefitofthoseherewhohaveseemingly
wanderedinwithoutthebenefitofsixyearsmagiceducation,wouldyou
explainwhattheLawsays?”
“Um...mattercannotbecreatedordestroyed,eventemporarily.”
“Exactly.”Berwickclappedhishands.“Andherewereachthe
cruxofthematter.Theteleportingwizardvanishesfromthefaceofthe
landforatime,andyetmustexistsomewhere.Thatisthequestion:where
ishe?”
TheclasssatinsilenceforawhileasBerwicklettheproblemsink
in.“Idon’texpectananswer.Thishasformedmylife’sstudy,andIwould
hatetobeputoutofbusinessbyaneighteen-year-oldstudent.Atpresent
myworkfocusesontryingtounderstandwhatweactuallydowhenwe
teleport.Here,passthisroundandtakealook.”
Thewizardpulledawell-wornsheetofparchmentfromhisdesk
andhandedittosomeoneonthefrontrow.Itmadeitswayslowlyaround
thegroup,andwhenitreachedAvanasherealisedjustwhyeveryoneelse
hadbeenlookingsoconfused.Sherecognisedthenotationusedtorecord
thethought-patternneededforparticulartypesofforce,butthisone
containedsymbolsshehadneverbeforeseen,andincombinationsthat
seemedimpossibletocomprehend.Avanatriedtobreakitdowninto
differentchunks,andidentifiedacoupleofseparateforcesbeing
generated,butthereweremanymoreshedidn’thaveaclueabout.Itwas
liketryingtoreadarandomseriesofwords.
“Obviouslythisismagicfarbeyondanythingyouhavebeen
taught,butyouwillappreciatethecomplexityofwhatIamdealingwith.
NowIwilloutlinetheconclusionsIhavedrawnfromthislineofstudy.”
Berwicklaunchedintoatechnicalpresentationofhisfindings,muchof
whichwentrightoverAvana’shead.Bythetimethelecturedrewtoa
closeataroundthreeo’clockshefeltmoreconfusedandlessenlightened
thanwhenshehadenteredtheroom.
“Didyouunderstandawordthatmansaid?”askedJamishasthey
madetheirwayoutoftheguildhall.“Hemightaswellhavebeenspeaking
Detchhalfthetime.”
“Didyouthinkso?Ithoughtitwasfascinating.”Avanatriedto
keepastraightfaceastheKrakenbaricboystaredatherinshock.
“Anyway,youlot,I’vegottogethometoworkonmyTK.”Telekinesiswasa
usefulifdifficultskillusingthecommoninvisiblesolid.Thetrickwasinthe
directionandcontrol.Thestudentshadbeenshownhowitwasdonea
monthagoandweresupposedtopracticeuntiltheycouldplaceonecoin
onanothertenfeetaway.Mostwerestilltryingtopicksomethingupanything.
“Seeyoulater,”calledDavidasheleftwiththeothertwoboysfor
acafefurtherupthestreetthatwaspopularwiththeyoungmages.In
opendefianceofthescratchedandburned‘NoMagic’signmanywere
practicingtheirspellsoveradrink.
AvanaheadedbacktotheGrandShaft.FloatingdowntoTwelfth
Levelshetriedtoputthelectureoutofhermindandfocusonhowshe
wouldmakethemostoftherestoftheday.Asshewanderedacrossthe
Forumshetriedtoholdabean-filledballintheairinfrontofher;twice
beforereachingtheothersideshehaddroppedit.Thisisn’tgoingtobe
easy,isit?IwonderifAramil’sfinishedfortheday.
AvanalookedacrosstheForumtotheWeaponsmith’sGuild,
conspicuousbythesmokepouringfromitstallchimneys.Asshewatched
awell-dressedbutscowlingmanburstthroughthedoorandmarchedoff
acrosstheplaza.Avanahurriedovertotheguildhall,whereshemet
Aramilattheentrance.
“Aramil!How’syourdaybeen?”
“Avana.”Herbrotherstaredafterthestrangerwhohadjustleft,a
lookofconcernonhisface.“Thatmanjustgone.Didyouseehim?”
“Yeah,grumpy-lookingfellow,wasn’the?”
“Quite.Hewasaskingaboutplacingalargeorderofweaponry
withnoquestionsasked.WantedustoforgettofileareporttotheGuard.
Canyoufollowhimforme?Ineedtoknowwherehe’sgoing,buthe’ll
recogniseme.”He’ssurelygoingtoseemyresemblancetoyouthen.
“Alright,asit’syou,”agreedAvanareluctantly.
“Thanks.Seeyoubackatthehouse.”
WithoutwastinganymoretimeAvanawalkedswiftlybut
casuallyacrosstheForumtowardswherethestranger,wearingadark
greencoat,wasturningupastreet.BythetimeAvanahadreachedthe
edgehewasahundredfeetawayandshewasforcedtopickupherpace
orelselosehiminacrowd.
Whenshenextsawthestrangerhewasenteringagaudily
decoratedsmokingclubatthesideofthestreet.Ah.Nothelpful.Butatleast
I’llbeabletoseewhohetalksto.
AsAvanasteppedintotheclubsheverynearlyconjuredashield
toholdbackthefogofsmoke,butstoppedherself.Ayoungladywould
attractenoughnoticeinthereasitwas,withoutdeliberatelystandingout.
Evenso,asshebreathedinthesmokeshedearlywantedtomagicitaway
fromher.Ugh,wretchedstuff.Can’tunderstandhowAramilputsupwithit.
Insidethehigh-ceilingedroomAvanacouldjustaboutmakeout
thebarontheotherside.Alongtheedgessatmenofallages,somewith
pipes,somewithhornsofsnuff,andotherswithoddcontraptionsshe
couldhardlyguesstheuseof.Still,shewasmoreinterestedinherquarry,
whowasnowheretobeseen.TakingamomenttogetherbearingsAvana
noticedaflightofstairsoppositeleadingdown.Mustbe-there’snoother
wayoutofhere.
“I’mmeetingafriend,”mutteredAvanainanswertothe
questioninglooks-looksandleers.
Shecrossedtheroomandwentdownthesteps,passingthrough
acloudofsmokeasshedid.Atthebottomwasasmallerroom,againfilled
withsmokersanddrinkers.Therewasnosignofthestranger,soAvana
continuedfurtherintotheroom.Amansatatthesideinhalingpinkfumes.
That’snottobacco.Attheendoftheroomshediscoveredadoorand,
beyondit,asidestreetthatwaspresumablyonLevelEleven,belowwhere
shehadenteredthebuilding.Hm,sneaky.Lookslikesomeonedoesn’twantto
befollowed.
Realisingthatherquarrycouldbemuchfurtheraheadbynow,
Avanarantotheendofthestreet;theotherwaywasadeadend.It
openedontoamainroadjoiningtheGrandShaft,andjustvisibleinthe
crowdabouthalfwaydownwasthegrumpystranger.Thiswasabusy
shoppingstreetandhewouldbemilesawaybythetimeAvanafoughther
waythrough.Timeforadiversion,Ithink.
Grabbingasmallamountofpower,Avanaformedtheunfamiliar
forceofsound.Aswellasthebasicthoughtshehadtofocusontheactual
soundshewanted,andittookallofherconcentration.Whentheforcewas
inplaceshesurreptitiouslypointedafingeratawallfurtherbackdown
thestreetandletgo.
Thewallemittedapiercingshriekthatcouldjustabouthave
passedforahumanscream.Itwasquicklyechoedbyseveralothersasthe
crowdbegantopanic,mostfleeingupthestreetawayfromthenoise
whileafewbravesoulswentbacktoseewhatwashappening.Avanawas
abletojogalongunimpededandwithinminuteshadclearedthecrowdin
timetoseethestrangerattheendofthestreetsteppingintotheGrand
Shaft.
SheenteredtheShaftherselfjustasherquarryreachedthetop,
exitingontotheAviary.Avanausedsomeofherownpowertosupplement
theShaft’sownlift,andspeduptothetopfarfasterthanusual.Itwas
risky-ifsheaccidentallyknockedherselfoutofthebeamshewouldfall,
notstrongenoughtoliftherwholeweightonherown-butherbrother
wouldn’thavesentherafterthismanwithoutgoodreason.Havinggone
downthenuphewasclearlytryingtoavoidpursuit,whichjustmade
Avanaallthemoreeagertofindoutwhathewasupto.Maybehe’s
somethingtodowiththosesmugglerswhoattackedAramil.
Herconcentrationhadslipped,andAvanafoundherselfgliding
dangerouslyclosetotheedgeoftheShaft’sforce.Sheslowedherselfand
correctedhercourse,andbythenhadreachedthetopherself.Stepping
ontotheflooroftheAviaryAvanawasstruckasalwaysbythesheer
varietyoftheskyshipsmooredthere.Thereweresomefromtheveryfirst
daysofskyships-antiquesthatweresimplysailshipswiththemassive
magicenginestakingupmostoftheaft.Someevenhadtheoriginalsails
forpropulsion,relyingonmagiconlyforbuoyancy.Othersweretruly
state-of-the-art,withsleekmodernhullsandsmallbutpowerfulengines.
ThesetendedtobelongtoDianthus’syoungnobility.Thehighcostmade
skyshipsimpracticalformostmerchants,thoughthereweresomeinuse,
especiallyforthetradewiththeTastellasandtheProvinces.
Avanahadnotimetomarvel,though.Thestrangershehad
followedupherewasnowhereinsight.Noproblem.Avanaclosedhereyes
andemptiedhermind,asthoughshewerereachingforpower.Shecould
seeinhermindthemagicallaround.TheGrandShaftbehindherwasan
almostblindingglow,andtherewereotherhotspotswhereskyshipswere
docked,butshewaslookingforsomethingfarmoresubtle.Aha!Athin
streakofmagicstretchedoutfromtheglowoftheShaft,fadingevenasshe
feltit.Itremindedherofasmearfromabiginkspill.That’sgottobehim.
Therewasno-oneelseontheShaft.
Snappingoutofthetranceshejoggedoffinthedirectionofthe
magicstreak.AnyoneusingtheShaftwouldleaveatemporarytrailof
magicastheylanded,assurelyasiftheforcehadbeentheirown.It’sa
start,atleast.ButIstilldon’tknowwherehewentafterthat.
Thepathshetookwoundgraduallyupwardsaroundtheringthat
wastheupperlevelofDianthus.Thereseemedtobefewermilitary
skyshipsabout.Ofcourse,mostofthefleetwasbasedatBeaconHill,but
therewereusuallyafewsmallercraftabout.Maybethey’reoutonexercises.
Avananextcaughtsightofherquarryaboutahundredandfifty
yardsfurtheralongtheroad.Hewasstandingontheraisedgantrybesides
abatteredoldskyship,surelymorethantwentyyearsold.Nocommon
smugglerhasaskyship.Pit,notevenonelikethat.
Asshewatchedadarkfigurecameupondeckanddroppeda
plankovertothegantry.Thewell-dressedstrangerstrodeacrossand
disappearedbelowdecks.Lookslikethat’sasfarasI’mgetting.Notforthe
firsttimeAvanawishedshecouldmakeherselfinvisible.Someofthe
greatestmagescould,butitwasmagicfarbeyondhercapabilities.
Somethingtodowithbendinglight,apparently.
Nevermind.Wheremagicfails,there’salwaysgoodoldcommon
sense.Oneofherteacherssaidthatalot,anditwasastruehereasalways.
BerthG-Seventeen.Shesimplyhadtochecktherecords.
AquicktriptotheAviaryharbourmaster’sofficerevealedthat
berthG-SeventeenwascurrentlybeingrentedbyaCaptainOLast.At
leastshehadanametogoon.TimetogetbacktoAramil.Maybeit’llmean
somethingtohim.
Applauseeruptedfromtheaudienceasthetenorfinishedhissong.The
curtainsfellandlampswerelitastheDianthicImperialOperapausedfor
theinterval.
“Well,Ican’thonestlysayIfollowedthat,”saidAvanaintheSolen
box,watchingpeoplebelowfilingouttowardstheprivies.LadySolen
stooduptojointhem.“Nicetunes,butIdon’tknowwhytheycan’tsingin
Dianthiclikeeveryoneelse.”
“Well,ifyou’dbotheredtoreadtheprogramme...”Aramilsaid,
wavingasheetofparchment.
“MaybeIwouldhaveifyouhadn’thadyournosestuckinit.”
“Becauseitwouldhavebeentoomuchtoaskforit,wouldn’tit?”
Avanastuckhertongueoutatherbrother.“So,anymoreideasonour
nastymantoday?”
“Istillthinkhe’ssomethingtodowiththosesmugglers
you...investigated.”Shegrinned.
“I’mstartingtothinkyoumightberight.There’sdefinitely
somethingfishygoingonhere.”
“Veryexciting,isn’tit?”
“Iwouldn’texactlycallitthat.Youweren’ttheonebeing
attacked.”
“Well,ifyouwillgoswimminginthedocks...”shechidedhim.
“Thankyou.I’llrememberallthisthenexttimetheGuildwant
metosingle-handedlyseizethedocks.Doyouwantmetovolunteeryou?”
“Ooh,yesplease.Butwhataboutthename-OLast?Any
thoughts?”
“Istilldon’tthinkI’vehearditbefore.I’lltrypullingafewfamily
stringsintheWatchtomorrowtochecktherecords,buthedidn’tstrike
measacriminal.Well,notaknowncriminal,anyway.It’sprobablynot
evenarealname.I’mmoreconcernedaboutwhythey’rebringingsomany
weaponsintoDianthus.Therewasfarmoretherethanthecitymarketcan
support,andifthey’rewillingtodestroyawholeshiploadthentheremust
beplentymoreoutthere.”
“TheymightnotallbeforDianthus,surely?”
“Whyelsebringthemin?Thisisthehardestplacetoland
contraband,forwhatthat’sworth.YoucoulddockanywhereontheRayfor
farlesstrouble.Itmakesnosenseunlesssomeonewantsthoseweaponsin
thecity.”
“Youdon’tmeanacouporsomething,doyou?”
“Yourguessisasgoodasmine.ButtheGuildknows,andit’stheir
choicewheretotakethis.There’snoneedtoworrymotherwithallthis
excitement,”headdedinawhisperastheboxdooropened.
“Passtheprogramme,wouldyou,Aramil,”saidLadySolen.
“Thankyou.Inevercanunderstandtheseforeignpieces.”
ChapterEight
Thenextfewdayspassedswiftly.Jag,LysanderandTrinkwerecaughtup
inmilitarylife,helpingoutwherevertheycould.Jaghadbeendelightedto
beabletoretrievehiszerfyrfromthearmoury,asithadbeensnatchedin
theraidalongwithanythingelseofvalue.Hisswordwastooplaintohave
beenrecovered,buttheBlueArmywasabletoprovidehimwitha
comparablesubstitute.
ItseemedthattheBlueArmywasinpreparationforanother
operation,butnottheirescapefromthecity.Onthefourthdayafterthe
escapeJagaskedBennedicwhatwasgoingon,ashewalkedpastJag’s
makeshiftcobbler’sworkshop.
“Idon’tsupposetellingyouwilldoanyharm.We’reambushing
anImpsupplycaravanonitswaythroughthecity.This’llbeourbiggest
operationforseveralmonths,andnearlyeveryone’sinvolvedinsome
way.”
JagfeltheowedtheBlueArmysomething.“IsthereanythingI
candotohelp?”heasked.
“You’redoingagrandjobhere,”repliedthelieutenant,gesturing
tothestackoffootwearinthecorner.
“Thanks,butIwasn’ttalkingaboutmendingboots.CanIhelpin
thebattle?”
“Whomentionedabattle?Itshouldbeaquick,cleanraid.”
“Youmustbeplanningonthechanceoffighting.Idoubtthe
Empireisgoingtoleavethecaravanunguarded.”
“Okay,sotheremightwellbefighting.Butwe’renotgoingtoput
youonthefrontline.Whataboutyourdiplomaticmission?It’sinour
intereststostopDianthusbeinginvaded.First,Krakenbarwouldmovein
totakeadvantageofthesituation,leadingtomorewarand-assumingwe
survive-anenlargedempireforourbelovedsovereigntotyrannise.
Second,Idon’tparticularlyfancyorcsasneighbours,myself.”Hedoeshave
apoint,Isuppose.
Jagnoddedacceptingly.“Still,theremustbesomepartIcanplay.
Rangedsupport,perhaps?Icanshootabowwellenough.”
“We’vegotplentyofarchersalready.Anyway,it’snotmyplaceto
say.ThisoperationisunderthedirectcontrolofGeneralDelores.Ifyou
wanttoask,youcanspeaktoher.”
“Iwill.AndI’llseeifTrinkandLysanderwanttohelp,aswell.”
Theydid.ThethreestoodinDelores’sofficeandmadetheir
request.“Anyhelpwouldcomeinhandy,”sheadmitted.“Anygoodat
archery?”
“I’madeadshotwithabow,”boastedTrink.“Bar-SandaTourney
archerychampion638.OnceItookdownaflyingrazorhawkatnearlya
thousandyards.”
Jagthoughtforasecond.“I’vefiredbowsallrightbefore.Second
placeintheRayfordYoungMilitiafiftyyards,Kingsfest645.Ishotarabbit
once.Itmayhavebeenlame,”headdedasanafterthought.
Lysandergrinned.“Iprefermyaxe,orbetteryetaHarnfallers
FiretongueIVmountedonsixtyfeetofironskyship,butI’mnoslouchat
archerymyself.”
Deloressmiledatthem.“AsithappensIcouldusesomeextra
archers.It’snotvital,butitwouldbehelpful.We’retrappingtheconvoyin
theImperialArches,thegatewaytothegovernmentdistrict.Therewill
almostcertainlybeoneormorewagonsofsoldierstravellingwiththe
caravan.We’vedecidedtohavesomeoneinanoverlookingtowertoputa
flamingarrowintoanymilitarywagonsastheypass-itshouldcause
chaos,oratleastadistraction.You’dbeperfectlysafeupthere,andthere’s
plentyofcoverifanyonenotices.I’vegotarchersassignedtothejob,butif
youthreearewillingtotakeoverthenthatwouldfreethemupforthe
frontline.Whatdoyouthink?”
“I’dbehappyto,”saidTrink.“AndIthinkIspeakforthethreeof
us.”JagandLysandernoddedtheiragreement.
“Good,”saidDelores,pleased.“Grabsomebowsfromthe
armoury,andcomealongtothebriefingonFridayafterdinner.Any
questionsnow?”
“Won’tweberecognizedonthestreets?”askedJag.
“No,thegatekeeperswillknowaboutyoubutIdoubttherestof
theGuardwill.You’llbefine.”
“InthatcaseI’dlovetohelp,”saidJag.“Ioweyou,afterall.”The
otherswerealsoquicktoagree.
“Excellent.Ourstrugglealwaysneedsvolunteers.Seeyou
Friday.”
“Trianglesquadinposition.”
“Diamondready.
“Square’sreadyandwaiting.”Spottersthroughoutthetower
reportedoneachunit,andayoungwomantrackedtheoperationona
smallmapofthearea.
“Circle?”shecalledout.
“They’rejustgoingdownSceptreWalk,shouldbethereinhalfa
minute.”
“EyeOne?”shecheckednext.
Theobserverstuckhisheadaroundthecornerofthestairs.
“ConvoypassedtheJennicEmporiumaminuteago.We’vegotfivewagons
ofgoods,twoguardingandavanguardofsevenmen.”
“Howfarforward?”
“Six,sevenyards.”
“Good.EyeTwo?”
“Passingnow.Mustbeagoodsixyardsgapbeforethesupply
wagons.Needthespecs?”
“No,we’regood.EyeThree?”
“ImperialRoadclearofanymilitarypresence.TheArchesareall
up,andnosignsofunexpectedsecurity.”
“Keepalookoutandspeakupthemomentsomethinglooksodd.”
Thewomanstoodup,hermapup-to-date.“General,everything’sas
planned.Youheardthereports.Mayweproceed?”
“Goahead.”GeneralDeloreshadbeendirectingtheBlueArmy’s
actionsinBar-Saloforsixyearsnow,butevensoshewasalwaysnervous
whenliveswereatstake.Hertimeonthefrontlinehadgivenheraclose
empathywiththemenandwomenshesentintocombat,andher
commitmenttotheirsurvivalhadledtoaquickrisethroughtheranks.
Fromnowonthisisinthehandsofthegods.
“Sothesoldierwasstartingtosmellarat,andwhenwecouldn’tgivea
goodreasonforwantingtobringthreewagonsofweaponryintothecity
hethreatenedtocallinthecitywatch.”Trinkillustratedhisstorywith
dramaticflourishesashe,JagandLysandersatinatowernexttothe
ImperialArches,bowsattheirsidesandarrowsalreadyspecially
preparedwithpitchlyingbesidealittorch.“Asifitwasn’tbadenough
alreadytheguarddidn’treactwelltomyofferofsilver.Tocutalongstory
slightlyshorterweendeduptrappedinthewagonswithasquadof
Krakenbaricsoldiersclosingin.Itwasonlymyquickthinkingthatgotus
away:Itiedaropetoawagonandthrewoneendoverabeamofthe
gatehouseroof.IthensentthewagonstraightthroughtheImps;aswellas
scatteringthesoldiersitpulledusupintotheairandletusjumpthewall
intothecity.ItcostmethreewagonsandIshuddertothinkhowmuchthe
goodsaddedupto,butwelivedtofightanotherday.”
“Youmeantheyactuallyallowedyoutokeepfighting?”muttered
Lysanderunderhisbreath.
“Andmostpeoplethinkyou’rejustastorytellerandmusician.In
factthegreatbardTrinkertipisactuallyanarmssmugglerfor
Krakenbaricrevolutionaries,”saidJag.“Ifnotaparticularlysuccessful
one.”
“Atrulymulti-talentedgnome,”saidLysanderwithalmosta
straightface.Thethreeofthemwerewaitingfortheconvoy,andonce
againitwasTrink’swildstoriesthatheldoffboredomandanxiety.
“ItwasafterthatIfellinwiththeBlueArmy,lendingthemthe
benefitofmyexperience.”
“Sowasthathowyoucametobeinjailwhenwemetyou?”asked
Lysandercuriously.
“Uh–notexactly,”repliedTrink.“Thatwasprobablymore
directlylinkedtomyperformanceof‘SandytheCarpenter’onthePalace
steps.Withdulcimer,aswell.”Hesighedmelodramatically.“Itellyou,this
isnocityforapoet.”
“Ahwell.TheKraksmayhavesomethingofapointthere.”Jag
suckedhislipsinthought.“Idon’tknowhowtoputthisgently,butthat
excuseforapoemyougreeteduswithwasawful.Whateverhappenedto
theTrinkertipwhowroteTheMastersofStone?”
“Thatblastedpoemtookmeages,andnotjusttheresearchat
Axehold.Ineverhavebeenabletomakethemuponthespot,andwhenI
dotryIinvariablyendupregrettingit.Didyoureallythinkitterrible?”
“Yes,”JagandLysandertoldhimimmediatelyandemphatically.
“Oh.”WhileTrinkwasthinking,hismutteringssounding
suspiciouslylikeareworkingofhislatestpoem,Jagheadeduptotheroof
tocheckfortheconvoy.LikemostbuildingsinKrakenbar,therebeingno
worryofsnow,itmadethemostoftheflatroofbyhavinganextralevelon
topwithatrapdoorforaccessandawaisthighwallforsafety.
Itcan’tbelongnow.TheirtowerstoodbetweenthetwoArches
chosenfortheambush,givingthemagoodclearshot.Itwasonlyafew
minutesbeforethefirstwagonrolledintosightfurtherupImperialRoad.
Hecalledhisfriends,whorushedupwiththeirbowsandthetorchto
crouchunderthecoverofthewall.
“Fiftyyards,”whisperedLysander,peeringover.Then,aftera
while,“twenty.”ThevanguardfinallypassedthefirstArch,followedbythe
wagonsthemselves.Jagwaitedexpectantlyforthetraptobesprung,for
thegatestoclose,buttheconvoycontinuedtoadvanceunobstructed.
Whatiftheydidn’tgetpasttheguardsondutyandneverreachedthecontrols?
Then,quietcomparedtothebadlymaintainedgatesofRayford,the
portcullisesbegantofall,trappingthevanguardononesideandthe
wagonsontheirownbehind.Aha!
“Andthat’sourcue,”announcedJag,lightinghisarrowandtaking
aim.TrinkandLysanderhaddonethesame,andthreestreaksofflame
spedfromthetower.Eachembeddeditselfinthesideofawagonandlet
offacloudofblacksmoke.“That’susdone.It’salldowntothesoldiers
now;we’vejustgottokeepourheadsdownuntilit’sover.”
“Youwon’thavetoworryaboutyourheadsmuchlonger.Turn
around.”AvoicewithastrongKrakenbaricaccentcamefrombehind
them.Jagturned,drawinghisswordhalfwaybutreturningitwhenhesaw
thesixcrossbowslevelledatthem.Hechoseinsteadtocurse,asdid
Lysander.EvenTrinkspatanobscenitythatwouldhaveshockedhisfans.
“Ah,aman,adwarfandagnome.Notthemostcommonofpartnerships.
TheSultanismostdispleasedthatyouhaveinsultedhishospitality,andis
anxioustomakesureyougrowtoappreciateit.Unlesshesimplyexecutes
youofcourse,whichwouldn’tsurprisemeintheslightest,especially
consideringyourlittledisplayjustnow.”
“Shouldn’tyoubehelpingoutdownthere?”triedJag,gesturingto
thechaosthatwaseruptingbelow.
“Noneed.AwholeregimentoftheSultan’sfinestislyinginwait
forthatrabble.Doyouseriouslythinksuchavaluablecargowoulddrive
throughsuchavulnerablespotguardedbyjusttwenty-onemen?
Evidentlyyourfriendsdid.”Horrified,Jagtriedtoseethebattlebelow
whilekeepinghisfacetothesoldiers.“Goon,takealook.Witnessafatal
blowtotheso-calledBlueArmy.Seehowtheyfareagainstrealsoldiers.”
Dreadingwhathewouldsee,Jagdidashewastold.HeavilyarmouredImperialtroopswerepouringoutofthebuildingsatthesideof
theroad,chargingintotheoutnumberedrebelswhohadbeenwaitingon
therooftopsunawareofthedangerbeneaththeirfeet.Intheirmidstflew
astandardbearingagolddragononacrimsonbackground:theSultanof
Krakenbar’spersonalarms.TheBlueArmywasfightingbravely,butthey
werenomatchforthehighlytrainedandexperiencedeliteoftheSultan’s
ownregiment.
Alreadysomerebelswerefleeingintothenearbybuildings,
aidedbythefactthattheirpursuerswereslowedbyheavyarmour.
However,thosewhostayedwerefastbeingsurroundedbythe
Krakenbaricsoldiersstillfloodingintothestreet.
Jagwassparedthesightofthecontinuingmassacrebyasoldier
pullinghimroughlyaway,remindinghimofhowlittlebetterhisown
situationwas.Heforcedhimselftothinkclearly.Soonerorlaterthey’re
goingtokillus,soweescapebeforethen.Butuntilthatopportunityarisesit’s
probablybesttoavoidgivingthemareasontocutoutthefussandexecuteus
hereandnow.
“Youmustbemistaken:we’veneverbeentojail.”Trinktriedhis
hardesttolookinnocent.
“Whomentionedjail?Guiltymind?Besides,you’vejustcaused
damagetomilitaryequipment,mostlikelyinconjunctionwithaterrorist
attack.Imakethatinsurrection.That’smorethanenoughforthedeath
sentenceintheEmperor’sbooks.ThewayIseeityou’vegotachoice
betweenaniceeasydecapitationorthehard,painfulway-acrossbow
boltintheback.I’msureyouunderstand.”
Withnootheroptionsthethreewereledatcrossbowpointoutof
thetoweranddownaside-street.Aheadrosethegleamingdomesofthe
PalaceandwithagrowingforebodingJagrealisedtheirdestination.
Sureenough,atenminutemarchthroughthestreetsofBar-Salo
tookthemtoanoutergatetothepalacegrounds.Theseweresurrounded
byastonewallthirtyfeethighandheavilyfortified;evenifthecityitself
wasbreachedthepalacecouldactasacitadelwithagoodchanceof
withstandingasiege.
Beyondtheouterwallwerethepalacegardens.Togetherwith
theglassroofs,haremandtheSultan’sChapel,thiswasfamedthroughout
theworld,notjustduetothebeautybutalsothediversityoftheplants
within.Acresofflowersandtreesonpainstakinglylandscapedground
surroundedthepalace,recreatingstylesfromdistantlandsthrough
carefulhorticultureandhugelyexpensiveirrigation.Still,theywerebuta
settingforthepalaceitself.
ThepalaceofKrakenbarwasatrulyspectacularbuilding.
AccordingtolegendithadbeenbuiltforthefirstSultanbytenthousand
slavestoadesignstolenfromthegodsthemselves.Itwassaidthat,on
seeingitforthefirsttime,thegreatphilosopherLucasianbeggedtobe
enslavedinordertospendhislifewithinsuchbeauty.Manybelievedthat
thebuildingitselfcontainedatleastfivehundredrooms,andthatit
extendedundergroundfurtherthananyoneknew.Judgingbythesizeof
thepalace,thatwasnotsuchaliberalestimate.
Jagwasinterestedinthebuilding,butonlyfromthepointofview
ofescaping.Hecertainlyhadnodesiretospendtherestofhislifethere,a
possibilitythatgrewmorelikelywitheverysteptheytook.Oncethey
wereinsidetherewouldbeverylittlechanceofabreakforfreedom.
Unfortunatelynoopportunitieswerepresentingthemselves,andsowith
nobetterplanJagwasbeginningtoconsiderhavingtosimplyturnand
run.Evenallowingforthetheadvantageofsurprise,withsixloaded
crossbowsaimingatthemthatwouldessentiallybesuicide.
Thepalacewasloomingworryinglycloseabovethetreeline
whenanopportunityfinallypresenteditself.Itwasalongshot,butbetter
thanthealternative.Thismaywellbethebestchanceweget.Theirroute
tookthemacrossanartificialriverbymeansofanarrowstonebridge.The
guardshadquitesensiblysentthreeoftheirnumberacrosstostopthem
runningofftheend,buttherewasonewayouttheyhadn’tconsidered.
Halfwayacrosscamehistimetoact.Mutteringaprayerto
Dianne,Jaggrabbedbothhisfriendsandthrewhimselfoffthebridge.
Theyplungedthroughthewater,warmfromthedesertsunand
fortunatelyquitedeep,andJagletgooftheothers.HehopedLysanderand
Trinkcouldseewherehewasgoing,andratherbelatedlythattheycould
actuallyswim.
Acrossbowboltcutthroughthechurningwaterinfrontofhim,a
not-unexpecteddanger.Intheconfusionitwasimpossibletotellwhether
theothershadfiredaswell.Jagbrieflysurfacedtogethisbearings.He
was,ashehadhoped,directlyunderthebridge.Therewasnosignofhis
companions.
Underthebridgehewassafeforthemoment,buttheonlyuntil
thesoldiersmovedtotheshorewheretheywouldhaveaclearshotathim
assoonastheyhadreloaded.Jagduckedbackunderthewaterandswam
asfarashisbreathwouldallow,surfacingagainafewfeetfromtheshore
andfurtherdownriver.Theothertwoweresplashingaroundfurtherup.
“Trink!Lysander!”hecalled,knowingtherewaslittleuseinsecrecy.“Out
ofthewater!Weneedtolosetheminthegardens.”
Assoonastheycouldstandtheysprintedfortheshore.The
soldierssawwhattheyweredoingandopenedfireassoonastheyhad
reloaded.Theboltshissedpastallaround,onescratchingLysander’sscalp
andcausinghimtoswearheartily.
Tenyardsorsoawayfromtheshorelinebeganaclusterofruined
buildings.TheyhadbeenbuiltthatwaybysomeforgottenSultan,and
nowtheyprovidedshelterforthefugitives.Jagledthewayatacrouched
run.Dodgingaroundthedebristheysoonbegantogainagoodleadonthe
armouredsoldiers,andwithinfourminutestheyhadlosttheirpursuers
amidstthedensetreesandruinsofthegarden.Safe–forthemoment.
TheywereregainingtheirbreathwhenLysandergesturedfor
themtobequiet.“Overthere,”pointedthedwarf.“Throughtheholeinthe
wall.It’sthosepekkingPit-spawnthatattackedtheSalamander!Whatin
thePitaretheydoinghere?”Sureenough,atriooftheblack-maskedand
robedcultistsweresittingonaruin,talkingamongstthemselves.When
Trinksawthemheshrankbackinfear.
“DarkAcolytes!”hewhispered.
“Youknowthem?”Jagasked,curious.
“That’swhatwecalledthem,anyway.Iwasinasmalltown
libraryoutinDormens,whenaboutahalfdozenofthemburstinand
startedkillingpeople.Imean,theylookedthesame,anyway.Imadeit
out,just,buttheyburnedtheplacetotheground.Guardsnevercaught
them,asfarasIknow.Weassumeditwassomeweirdcult.”
“Canyouhearwhatthey’resaying?”askedJag.
Trinkcockedhishead,listening.“Yeah,Ithinkthey’respeaking
Malkovari.”
Lysanderfrowned.“Really?”
“Yeah,I’msureofit,”Trinknodded.“NeverthoughtI’dhearit
spokenforreal,butasithappensIlearneditwhenIwasresearching
CaptiveoftheDaemon-Worshiperstwentyyearsback.”Jagfrowned.
MalkovarwasthenamegiventothelandtotheeastoftheMawlund,a
darkforestblightedbydaemonsanddarkmagics.Itwasn’tmeanttobea
veryfriendlyplace.
Trinklistenedfornearlyfiveminutes,frowning.“Alright.From
whatthey’resayingthey’renegotiatingwiththeSultanonbehalfoftheir
boss.TheycallhimOmega.That’saMalkovariletter,incaseyoudidn’t
know-lastletteroftheiralphabet.It’snotquiteclearwhatthetalkswere
about,butitsoundsliketheSultanwasquiteagreeable,andIdoubtit
bodeswell.”
Jagcursedagain-somethingthatthatbeenhappeningfartoo
oftenoverthelastfewdays.“Evenmorereasontogetoutofhereandlet
someoneknow.Weshouldbemoving.”
“Yes.Ididhaveanidea,actually,”saidTrink.“Haveeitherofyou
readorheardthestoriesofRedfahr?No?Really?Wellitstarts...No,I’ll
saveitforanothertime.Therelevantpointisthatthehero,Redfahr,gets
himselfintothesamesituationasus.StuckinthepalaceofBar-Salo’s
gardens,thatis.Heescapesthroughthepalacecanals.”
“Thewhat?”
“Thepalacecanals.TheEmperorwantsasteadysupplyofwater
forhimself,soallthewaterpumpedintoBar-Salogoesfirsttothepalace.
Thenanysurpluswatercanbedistributed,bywayofthecanals,tothe
restofthecity.Ifwecanfindanentrancetothecanalsweshouldbeable
towalkstraightout.AndIthinkIknowone.”
“Where’sthat?”Jagasked,smiling.
“IshouldimaginetheBluebellTemplewouldhaveone.It’s
essentiallyjustaglorifiedsetofbathsfortheEmperor’spersonaluse.If
whatI’veheardiscorrectthenitshouldbethatway.”Hepointedacross
thegardens.
“Idon’tknowwhetheryouactuallyknowthatoryou’rejust
makingitup,”beganLysander,“butitbeatssittinghereallday.Comeon.”
TheysetoffatalightjoginthedirectionTrinkhadindicated,and
beforelonghadarrivedatthetemple.AsTrinkhadsaidtherewaslittle
religiousaboutit.Itwasasmallbuilding,inthesamestyleastheruins
throughoutthegardensbutintact.Itwasalsounguarded–afterall,itwas
impossibletopenetratethepalacecompound,andwhatintruderwould
besobrazenastopayavisittotheEmperor’sownbathhouse?
Inside,archesledofffromtheatriumtodifferentpools:themain
warmpool,butalsocold,cool,andhotonestothesidealongwithsaunas.
However,Trinkmadestraightfortheonlydoor,whichleddownintothe
maintenanceroom.
Insideshelvesofscentsandchemicalslinedthewalls,while
stairsleddowntotheboilerroomwheretheystoppednexttoatrapdoor
setintothefloor.Thetrapdoorwaslocked,butitprovedasimplematter
tobreakthrough.Whenitwasopentheycouldseedownthroughthehole,
wherethedimlightoftheroomglitteredfromflowingwater.Jagledthe
waydownthericketyladder,takingthetorchfromthewallandstrikingit
alight.
Thewaterwasonlykneedeep,butthecurrentwasfastenoughto
makeithardforhimtokeephisbalance.Thetunnelthroughwhichthe
canalflowedwastwelvefeetwideandsevenhigh,litonlybytheflickering
torch.InonedirectionJagcoulddimlymakeoutmachinerythatmayhave
beenthepumpsforthebaths,andintheother,inthedirectionoftheflow,
itendedatajunction.
“Hasanyonegotanyideaofdirection?”askedJag.“Idon’tsuppose
thecanalsaresignposted.”
Lysandergrinned.“Easy.Justthinkyourselfluckyyou’vegota
dwarfwithyou.Followme.”BetweenLysander’ssenseofdirectionand
Trink’sknowledgeofthecitytheyeventuallymanagedtoagreeonaroute
backtowardstheBlueArmyheadquarters.
ByLysander’sestimationtheywereleavingthepalacecompound
whentheyheardsomethingsplashingtowardsthemfromaroundthe
corner.
Theyfroze,buttherewasnowheretohide.Whatemerged
aroundthecornerdidn’tseemlikeathreat,thoughJagcouldn’tquite
classifyit.Itcouldonlybedescribedasaboat,butithadseeminglybeen
cobbledtogetherfromscrap,anditdidn’tlooklikeithadanyrighttofloat.
AlargelanternhangingfromtheprowlitupthetunnelandallowedJagto
makeoutdetailsoftheflat-bottomedvessel.Onlyfifteenfeetlongandfive
wide,itwasbeingrowedbyaroughlydressedKrakenbaricman.Assoon
ashesawthethreewadingtowardshim,hehailedthemwarmly.
“Wellmet,travellers.ZarsMalahatyourservice,acanaltramper
andproudofit.Wouldyoubewantingalift?”
“Alift?Whereto?”askedLysander,takenabackbythestrange
manandhiscuriouscraft.
“Anywhereinthecanalsystemfortwocoppers,tripsintothe
sewersforfour.Quickanddrytransportwithnoquestionsasked.”
“Hm.IsthereanexitinLambLane?”askedTrink.
“No,”repliedZars.“ButIcangetyoutoanalleyatthetopof
Dogways.”
“Ithinkwemightjustagreetothat,”saidTrink.“Whatdoyoutwo
think?”Theybothnoddedandpaidtheirfare.
“We’reluckytohavefoundyou,”saidJag.
“You’dhavemetanotherlikeme.There’swholefamiliesofus
downhere,safefromtheSultan’sgrasp.”Zarsbegantopolehismotley
craftdownthetunnel.
“Therecan’tbemuchdemandforthisdownhere,canthere?”Jag
asked.
“You’dbesurprisedatthenumberofpeoplehopingfordiscreet
transportthroughthecity.”
“Andthegovernmentdoesn’tmind?”askedLysander.
“We’retoouseful.Idon’tpersonallylikehelpingtheEmpire,but
downhereeveryfarecountssoyoucan’taffordtobetoochoosy.Whether
it’ssecretmovementthroughthecityorjustinformation,evenImperial
agentssometimespayusavisit.”
Awhilelatertheypassedanothercanaltramper’sboat,then
moreandmoreasthejourneycontinued,eachcobbledtogetherinitsown
way.
Soontheypulledupinasidetunnel.Holesintheroofallowed
watertobedrawnup,andahatchwassetdirectlyabovethem.
“Hereyougo,”saidZarsproudly.“Thetrapdoorwilltakeyouinto
alittlehutjustoffDogways.Ihopeyouenjoyedyourjourney,andthatI’ll
seeyouagaininthefuture.Remember,ifyou’redownhereagainlookout
forZarsMalah.”
Theythankedtheirguidebeforeclimbinguptheladderandout
ontothestreet.AsZarshadpromisedtheywereinasmallwoodenhut,
filledwithvarioustoolsforthemaintenanceofthewatersupply.
“WellInever,”saidLysander.“Whatweretheoddsofusescaping
that?”
“Don’tspeaktoosoon,”cautionedJag.“We’renothomeyet,and
nowwe’rewantednotonlyforassaultandjailbreakbutinsurrectiontoo.
Don’tletyourguarddown.Still,notfarnow.Itakeityoudoknowtheway
fromhere,Trink?”
“Easily.Followme.”
Theyemergedintoadingybackalleyrunningintoquiteabusy
thoroughfare.TrinkwasleadingthemaroundthecornerintoDogways
whentheyalmostbumpedintoaguardwalkingbrisklydownthestreet.
“Afternoon,”hesaidingreeting.“Youthreedon’tlooklikeyou’re
fromroundhere.CanIbeseeingyourpasses?”
Trinklookedoverhisshoulderdownthealley.Itwasadeadend,
blockedbyahighwall.“Thiscouldbeaproblem,”heobserved.
Theguardsighed.“Don’ttellme.Youhaven’tgotthemwithyou.”
Theyshooktheirheadssheepishly.“ProperlyIshouldbedraggingthe
threeofyoubacktobarracksforquestioning.ButbelieveitornotIdidn’t
jointheGuardtopersecuteforeigners.Isuggestyouheadstraighthome
andmakesureyoualwayscarryitinthefuture,orif-asIsuspect-you
don’tactuallyhaveone,youseeaboutapplyingdamnsharpish.Imightbe
willingtoturnablindeye,butIcan’tsaythesameforsomeofmy
colleagues.”
Suitablychastened,theythankedthemanforhisdiscretion
beforeheadingalongthestreettowardstheBlueArmyheadquarters.
Lysanderletouthisbreathwithasigh.“Ican’tworkoutwhethertoday
hasbeenveryunlucky,orjustveryluckyindeed.”
“Giventhatwe’restillalive,I’dbehappytomarkitdownasgood
fortune,”saidJag.
Trinkfrowned.“I’mgoingtoreservejudgementuntilweknow
howtheBlueArmyfared.”
ChapterNine
“Right,”saidDolorescrisplywhenallwerepresent.“Timetogetyouallout
ofthisgods-forsakencity.”
Thesixmenandtwowomenwhohadbeenbrokenoutofjail
nearlytwoweeksagosatinthebriefingroomwithaselectionoftheBlue
Armyofficers,someofwhomstillboresignsofinjuryfromtherecent
ambush.
Therevolutionarieshadsufferedintheattack,butmuchlessthan
Jaghadfeared.TheImperialsoldiersmighthavebeenwell-armedand
armoured,butthisonlyservedtoholdthembackoncetherebelsescaped
backtotherooftops.JagwaspleasedtoseethatBennedichadgotaway,as
hadmostoftheothershehadmetduringhistimewiththeArmy.Still,the
atmosphereamongstthesurvivorswassombre.
Despitethesetbacktheywerestillwillingtogoaheadwiththe
escapefromthecity.Jaghadnoideawhatexactlytheywereplanning,but
stillhadfullconfidenceintheirabilities.
“Sohere’stheplan.”Dolores’sgazetookineachoftheminturn.
“Inthreedays’timeagroupofperformersisbookedtopresentaplayin
theWestgateStreetPublicTheatre.Thatgroupwillconsistofchosen
membersoftheBlueArmy.You,”-shegesturedtotheescapees–“willbe
concealedwithinwagonsadjacenttothetheatre,andtherewillbeother
wagonsmakingtheirwaytowardsthegate.
“Atthispoint,aspartoftheperformance,alargequantityof
smokewillbeemittedfromthestageandwafteddownthestreettowards
thegatehouse,enoughtofillthetunnelleadingthroughthewall.Thiswill
allowyoutoslipthroughbeforetheythinktoclosethegate,andhidein
oneofthewagonsoutsidethathasalreadybeensearched,markedAckbar
Iron.Itwillcarryyouawaytosomefriendsofourswhocangetyououtof
thedesertandtotheDianthicborder.Anyquestions?”
“Uh,yeah.”Trinkraisedahand.“Whatdowedoifsomethinggoes
wrong?Ifthereisn’tenoughsmoke,ortheyclosethegatebeforeweget
there?”
Doloresnodded.“Goodpoint.Ifthingsdon’tgoasplannedjustsit
tight.Ifyou’realreadyexposedthenwe’vegotateaminplacetogetyou
outoftrouble.”
Shesmiledatthem.“It’llbetight,butthere’snoreasonyou
shouldn’tmakeit.Everyoneofyouhasbeenworthrescuing,andI’msure
you’lldoyourbestforuswhenyou’reout.Goodbyeandgoodluck.Oh,and
dotrytokeepoutoftroubleinthefuture.”
Twodayslatertheoperationswungintoaction.Thestagewasbeingset
upinthePublicTheatre,acolourfulwoodenconstructionbehindwhich
werepresentlyconcealedlargefans.Jagandtherestofthefugitives
loadedbackpackswithenoughsuppliestogetthemoutofthedesertand
enteredawagontorideacrosstoWestgateStreet.
Asthemorningdrewonandthedaygrewhotterthebackofthe
wagonbecamestuffy,buttheydarenotstepoutsideforair,orevenopen
thecanvasflaps.Theycouldn’tspeakforfearofgivingthemselvesaway,
andJagforonewasbothboredandnervouswhentheyheardthefirst
soundsoftheperformancefromacrossthestreet.Everyone’searspricked
up,andJagputhiseyetoasmallslitinthesideofthewagonthrough
whichhecouldobservethegatehouse.
Thoughhehadbeenhastilybriefedonthestoryoftheplay(a
fairlyunremarkableversionofapopularmyth)itwasdifficultforJagto
followfromthisangle.Still,therewasnomistakingtheblackcloudof
smokethatspilledfromthestageandwasrapidlycarrieddownthestreet
toengulfthegatehouse.
“Timetogo!”hewhisperedbeforeslippingoutthebackofthe
wagonintothesmoke-filledstreet.Oh,pekk.Thegatetunnelinfrontof
himwasblockedbyalargewagon,andhecouldhearthesoundofa
rapidlyescalatingargumentbetweendriverandgatekeeper.We’renot
gettingthroughthatway.
Helookedbacktoseetheothersclamberingdownfromtheir
placeofconcealment.Theyshouldjusthideandaborttheescape,ifthe
planwastobefollowed,butthentheymightbestuckinthiscityfor
weeks.Insteadhefoundhiseyesdrawntothesecondgatewaytenyards
furtheralong.Itwasequallyfilledwithsmokeandwouldprovidean
equallygoodmeansofescape.
“Slightdiversion,”hewhisperedasheledthewayatarunacross
thestreet.
Thefigureofanarmouredguardloomedoutofthesmokeahead;
hisbackwasturnedtothepassingfugitivesbuthewouldsurelynotice
themastheypassed.Barelyfeetaway,Jagdrewhisswordandprepared
tostrike,butstoppedhimselfatthelastmoment.WhatevertheBlueArmy
mightsay,thefactthismanworkedfortheEmpiredidn’tmeanhe
deserveddeath.HislastencounterwithanImperialsoldierwasproofof
that.Still,themanhadtobedealtwithonewayortheother.
Apologisingunderhisbreath,Jagshiftedhisgripandbroughtthe
pommeldownonthebackoftheman’shead.Theguardcollapsedandhe
joggedpastandintothetunnel,hopingtheywouldbesufficiently
concealed.
Heemergedontheothersideofthewallclearofthesmokeand
feelingexposed.Fortunatelytherewasnoonewatchingonthisside,andit
wasaneasymattertomakehiswayintotheAckbarIronwagonparked
furtheralongthewall.
Withintheminutealloftheescapeesweresittinginthebackof
thegetawayvehicle,clearexpressionsofreliefontheirfacesasthewagon
rumbledintomotion.Theywereaway.
ItwasnotuntilmanymilesfurtheronthatJagtrulyallowedhimselfto
relaxandacceptthattheywerenotbeingpursued.Whenhestuckhis
headoutfromundertheflaphesawtheyhadlefttheroadandwere
drivingacrossopendesert,featurelessandwithoutnoticeablevariation.
Itwaswellintotheeveningwhentheyfinallypulledtoahalt.
ThroughtheopeningatthebackJagcouldseetheglowoffires.Acamp?
Theyreallyhavethoughtofeverything.Thenewlyfreedprisonersclimbed
shiveringoutintothecoldnightair,gladtobeoutofthecrampedvehicle.
Sevenlargebonfiresilluminatedaclusterofwhitetentsof
varioussizes.Jagwenttofindthedriver,whowasalreadyout.Theman
hadskintanneddarkerthanwasusualinBar-Saloandworeloosewhite
robes,asdidtheothersatthecampwhowerenowapproachingthe
wagon.JagknewittobethetraditionaldressforKrakenbar,butthese
daysitwasregardedbymostasaninconvenienceunnecessaryforcitylife.
“Thanksfortheride,”saidJag.Themannoddedhishead
appreciatively.“I’mJag.Thatwassomegooddrivingthere.There’snoway
Icouldnavigateoff-roadlikethat,notwithoutanyreallandmarks.You
mustknowthisareawell.”
“Ido,likethebackofmyhand.Asdotherestofmytribe.My
nameisKersiAl-Bar.”Tribe?Ididn’tknowanyKrakenbarslivedintribes.
“I’msorry,butI’mnotfamiliarwithyourpeople.”
Kersismiledruefully.“Alas,fewarenowadays.WearetheAl-Bar,
oneofthelastremainingtribeslivingasnomadswithinthelandof
Krakenbar.Onceweruledthisdesert,butmanyyearsagowewere
overthrownandcastoutfromthisnewsociety.Icantellyouourstoryif
youlike;wehaveplentyoftime.”
“Goon;thissoundsinteresting.”Kersiledhimovertooneofthe
firesandtheysatdown.
“Morethanthreehundredyearsagothemenofthisdesertlived
aswedonow:asnomadictribeslivingonasubsistencebasis.TheAl-Bar
werethegoverningtribe,andourmagitaughtthatonlythroughshunning
settlementcouldweavoidanyonetribetakingcontrolofthewater.Forin
thedesertwaterwasbothpowerandwealth,anditwasthoughtbetter
thattheoasesbeopentoall.
“Buttherecamefromamongstthetribesamanofsilvertongue,
whosespeechescaughttheearofmany.Hepreachedthatbybuilding
citieswewouldgrowpowerful,andthatapowerfulSultanwouldbeable
toruleforthepeopleandensurethatallweretreatedalike.Followers
flockedtohisbannerfromeverytribe,andwhenhehadamassed
sufficientsupporthestruck.
“Therebelsassassinatedthetribeleadersinonenight.Bythe
morningtheyhadseizedpower,andtheybroughtmostoftheothertribes
undertheirrule,whiletheAl-Barandothertribeswhoresistedfledinto
exileinthedesert.ThechiefrebelproclaimedhimselfSultanofthelands
ofKrakenbar,andpledgedhimselftoruleforthepeople.
“ButtheSultanatesoondevelopedareputationforbrutality,and
quicklyenslavedallwhoopposedthenewregime.TheSultan’sarmies
pushedsouthtoconqueralllandsasfarastheTastellastobecomethe
KrakenbaricEmpireweknowtoday.Withinadecadeithaddevelopedthe
meetingcampsofoldintothebasisofthecitiesweknowtoday,andcome
intoconflictwiththefledglingDianthicEmpire.
“Meanwhile,theexiledtribescontinuedthenomadiclifestylewe
hadknownforcountlessgenerations.Overtheyearssomediedout,while
othersgaveinandjoinedtheEmpire.NowwetheAl-Barareoneoffewer
thansixthatremain,andweknowlittleofthoseothers.Someofus,like
me,havejoinedtheBlueArmyresistance.Itisouronlychancetofight
backagainstthetraitors.”Hespattheword,contemptevidentinhisvoice.
“Howmanyofyouarethere?”askedJag.
“Inmytribe,youmean?Justovertwoscore.”
Jaglookedaroundattheothertribesmenastheybusied
themselvesaroundthefires.“Thanksforthestory.Imustadmit,I’dnever
realizedhowtheKrakenbaricEmpirecametobe.”
“Wecannotcarrymanybooks,somuchofourhistoryhasbeen
passeddownthroughstories.Youarelucky-oneofthefewoutsidersto
hearit.”
“Whathappensnow?”askedJag.
“Whendarknesshascompletelyfallenyoumayjoinusforthe
evening’sstorytelling.Untilthen,pleasejoinyourfriendswhilewe
preparethefood.”
JagfoundLysanderandTrinkbyoneofthesmallerfireswhere
theyweresittingwiththeoldertribesmenandtheotherescapees,
passingroundaflaskofstrongspiritandexplaininghowtheyhadcometo
beinprison.ThemenandwomenoftheAl-Barwereroastingsomelarge
herdanimalalongwithwhatvegetablestheycouldscavengeinthedesert,
andsureenoughasdarknesssettledoverthedesertandtheheatbeganto
bleedfromthesand,themealwasserved.
Itwasagoodfeast,easilythebestfoodJaghadeatenforweeks.
AftereatingtheywereentertainedbytheAl-Bar’sstoriesabouttheir
historyandlifeinthedesert,andwhenthetimecametosleepeveryone
wrappedthemselvesinblanketsaroundthefires;Jagfellasleepalmost
immediately.
Inthemorningthefireshaddieddown,buttherisingsunwas
morethanhotenoughtobanishthechill.Withnooasisatthiscampthey
wereunabletowash,buttheAl-Barpromisedtherewouldbeonealong
theirplannedroutefortheday.Alltheex-prisonersweretotravelnorthwestwithanAl-Barguide,whiletherestofthetribeheadeddeeperinto
thedesert.Thetribesmencouldn’tsparethemhorses,orthosestrange
beastscalledcamelswhichtheyusedinstead,buttheedgeofthedesert
wasapparentlywithinthreedays’march.
Theysetoffasearlyaspossible,thankingthetribefortheir
hospitality.Itwasahardjourney,overrocksanddunes,buttheBlue
Armyhadsuppliedeveryonewithplentyoffullwaterskinsandthesun
seemedslightlylesspenetratingthanthedaybefore.
Itwasgrowingdarkwhentheyreachedtheoasis,sotheyagreed
tosetupcampforthenight.Theyhadnowoodforafire,buttheydidhave
warmblankets,andasupplyofwaterforwashinganddrinking.The
morningcamehotasever,butthepoolbythespringwascooland
refreshing.MaybeIcouldgetusedtobeingadesertnomad.
Thenextdaywasanotherdifficultmarchandtherewasnooasis
thistime,thoughtheysleptinanabandonedAl-Barcampsite.Onthethird
dayoftheirjourneythesandfinallystartedtogivewaytopatchesofgrass,
andbythreeo’clocktheyhadleftthedesertentirely.Itwasdifficultto
believethatonlyafewhoursbeforetheyhadbeenwalkingthrougha
wasteland,fornowtherewerehundredsofwildflowersliningtheroad
andJagcouldmakeouttheshapesofanimalsgrazingonthehilltops.
Thateveningtheyreachedafortifiedinnontheroadside.A
woodenpalisadesurroundedastableblockandthemainbuilding,an
imposingstructurewiththelowestofthreestoriesconstructedofstone
andtheothersofwood.Everyoneagreedthatthiswasthebestplaceto
spendthenight,althoughtheAl-Barguideannouncedthatthiswaswhere
hewouldleavethem.Thegroupthankedhimforhishelp,withoutwhich
theywouldnothavefoundtheirwayoutofthedesertandcertainlynever
foundtheroad,andwalkeduptotheheavyiron-bandedgate.
“Goodevening,travellers,”saidavoicethroughthespyhole.“Will
youbewantingentrancetotheinn?”
“Yesplease,”answeredTrink.“Doyouknowifthere’sanyrooms
freetonight?”
“It’sabusynight,butI’dexpectso.Wecancaterforthembig
caravansifneedbe.”Oneofthegatesswungopen,grantingentranceto
theenclosurebeyond.Itwasawelcomingsight,litwarmlybytorches,and
farmoreappealingthananothernightinthedesert.Asignswingingfrom
themainbuildingproclaimedittheOldPonyInn.
Onenteringtheinnitselftheyfounditpackedwithallsortsof
people,mostlyhumanbutwiththeDianthicrubbingshoulderswiththe
Krakenbaric.Thegroupclaimedacoupleoffreetablesinthecrowd,while
Jagtooktheordersfordrinks.
“Evening,”Jaggreetedthebarman,asmallmanwithabalding
headandaslighttwitch.“Busynighttonight.”
“Indeeditis.Wereyouwantingaroom,drinkorfood?”
“Allthree.We’llneedsevenbedsforthenight,thoughwe’dbe
happytosharerooms.Betterhaveaseparateoneforthetwoladies.”
“Noproblem.Wouldthreeroomsbesufficient,withsevenbeds
betweenthem?”
“Soundsmarvellous.”
“Hereyougo,then.”HehandedJagthreekeys.“They’reupthose
stairsanddownthecorridortotheright.Numbersonthekeys.Andto
drink?CanIinterestyouinthelocalscrumpy?”
“Cider?Uh,nothanks.Badexperiencelastyear.I’dliketwoJennic
alesplease.”
“Isoneforyourself?”
“Indeed.Bestdrinkknowntocivilisation.”
“Icouldn’tagreemore.Beststuffevertocomeoutofthe
Provincesinmyopinion.Shameaboutthetroublenow;priceshavejust
shotup.”
“Trouble?”Jagfrowned.“LastIheardthey’dfinallymadepeace.”
“Hah!PeaceintheProvinces?AsmuchchanceassnowinBarSalo-itwasnevergoingtolast.ThoughI’lladmititwasrathermore
suddenthananyonewasexpecting.TheyreckonthoseMaaristcrazies
haveseizedpowerinDessandlaunchedanattackonVestria,whichof
coursesetoffthewholebloodytinderbox.Ifirstheardonlastweek’s
delivery;they’rechargingnearlytwiceasmuchforabarrelaslastmonth.
It’snotasthoughitwasdirtcheaptostartwith.”
Jaggrimaced.“Thatisashame.I’llsoonhavetomovetoless
heavenlydrink.Speakingofwhich,anythingDianthic?”
“There’sabitofDodgerleft.”
“Excellent-ifyou’vegotthetasteofasewerrat,thatis.Twomore
pintsthen.”
“Comingup.It’sthelastinthebarrel,thoughthere’llbesome
moreintomorrow.”
“Whatdoyouhaveinthewayofwine?”
“There’ssomeDotian642backhere.Alwaysapopularchoice.”
“I’llhavefourglassesthen.”Jagturnedtoregardthebusy
commonroomwhilethebarmanpouredthewine.“You’vegotagoodspot
here,”heobserved.
“Wedoindeed.There’salotoftradealongthisroute,plusweget
afewregularsfromthefarmsaround.Outherewe’retheonesmallspotof
warmthforoveraleague.There’sbeenproblemswithbandits;you’llhave
seenthedefencesoutside.TheLegionsdon’tgenerallyreachthiscornerof
theEmpireunlessthey’relookingatstirringuptroubleovertheborder.
Wegenerallycopewithtroublefromoutside,buttherehavebeensome
shadycustomersrecently.”
“Oh?Whatsortofshady?”
“Idunno,really.Shifty-looking.Rarelyseethemoutsidetheir
rooms.Neversayaword.”NotDarkAcolytes,surely?Comeon,Jag,you’rejust
beingparanoidnow.
“Causingtrouble?”
“No,notatall.AsIsay,keepthemselvestothemselves.Justmake
meuneasy.Ah,excuseme;I’dbetternotkeepthisonewaiting.”The
barmanleftforfurtherdownthebar,soJagstartedtocarrythedrinks
overtothetable.
“Oi,whatdoyouthinkyou’replayingat?Noonegetsthelastof
theDodgerbutme!”Alargemanwithaheavily-tattooedscalpglaredat
Jagfromoppositethebarman.Hewasmorethanalittledrunk,butstill
appearedcapableofturninghispowerfully-builtformtoviolence.Clearly
hewastryingtopickafight;Jagwasmostcertainlynot,anddidhisbestto
placatehim.
“Here,haveit.It’snotactuallyforme.Idon’treallylikeit,
anyway.”
“Insultingmytaste,areyou?Doyoureallywanttosettlethiswith
yourfists?”ThebigmanraisedanarmtostrikeJag,butthenfroze,asif
suddenlypreoccupiedbysomethingelse.IttookJagamomenttonotice
thepointofaknifeprotrudingfromtheman’schest,andthenthewouldbebullycollapsedathisfeet.Hefrowned,confused,untilafiguredropped
downfromthegalleryabove.
Itwaswearingafamiliarblackrobe,crouching,anddrawing
anotherknifefromwithinitsrobesasitstalkedtowardsJaglikeacat.The
crowdwasbeginningtobackaway,andafewpeoplescreamed.The
assassin,presumablyaDarkAcolyte,wassilent,otherthanspeakingone
wordinahuskyvoice:“Mine.”
Jagdrewhisownweapons,preparinghimselfforthecultist’s
attack.Itmovedfluidlyathim,leadingwithitsfreehandwhiletheknife
washeldbacksafelyoutofJag’sreach.TheAcolytewasclearly
experienced,andJag’smilitiatrainingasregardskniveshadbeenlimited
todrunksandopportunists.Techniquesthathadworkedperfectlyinthe
paradehallwithaknifeheldsteadilytowardshimnowappearedtobeof
littlehelp.Hepreparedhimselfforastrike,swordandzerfyrheldinwhat
hehopedwasanappropriateguard.
IntheendtheattackcamealmostbeforeJagsawit.Ablackglovedhandwasclampedabouthisownleftforearmwhilethecultist’s
knifeshotlikelightningtowardshisneck.Hisinstinctwastopullback,but
hesawimmediatelyhowthatwouldleavehimopen.Insteadhethrew
himselfforwardsintohisattacker,puttinghisbodyinsidethepathofthe
knifeandtheedgeofhisswordintothecultist’schest.
Itletoutasurprisedscream,leaptbackoveratableandsprinted
foradoor.Jagfollowed,knockingchairsoutofthewayasheran.
Heburstthroughthedoor,intoacorridor.Itwastheinnkeeper’s
livingquarters,cutofffromthecustomers.Aflickerofblackrobeswas
disappearingaroundthecornerattheend.
Beyondwasawoodenstaircasefilledbytheheavyfootstepsof
someonerunninguptheflightabove.Hereachedthetopintimetosee
oneofthedoorsinthecorridorslamshut.Herushedthrough,emerging
intotheinnkeeper’sbedroom.
Therewerecountlessplacestohideintheroom,butthedoors
oppositewerestillswingingontheirhinges,revealingabalconylooking
outoverthecourtyard.Itmusthaveclimbeddown.
Therewasnosignofanyoneinthecourtyardbelow,butoutside
theflickeringpoolsoftorchlighttheshadowscouldhaveheldcountless
unseenlurkers.Jagsteppedgingerlyoverthewoodenrailtolowerhimself
down,knowingthatthiswasanidealopportunityforanambush.Itwas
dangerous,buthewantedanswers.
Hedroppedtotheground.Therewasnosignofhisattempted
assassin.Thatmeansunlesshe’smadeforthegate–andIthinkIwouldhave
heardifhehad-there’sonlyoneplacehecouldhavegone.Jagjoggedsilently
overtothestables.
Heenteredcautiously,alertforanysoundotherthanthehorses.
Tonightmoststallswerefull,andthehorsesweresnortingindisturbance.
Lookslikehedidcomethisway.Onehorse,however,wasunnaturallyquiet,
standingdocilelyby.Ahhah!
Jagpushedopenthestalldoorwithhisfoot.Thedarkfigurewas
crouchedbehindthehorse,hishandonitssidesomehowsubduingit.
NowJaghadtheassassincornered.Hetookitbysurprise,using
thetipofhisswordtopinittothewallwhilekeepingasfarawayashe
could.Chancesarehe’sgotafewmorekniveshiddenaway.
“Takeoffyourrobe,”orderedJag.Theassassinjustspatathim.
OnlywhenJagproddedhimenoughtodrawblooddidthethingcomply.
Jagsawthatunderneathitworeablackleatherwaistcoatandblackmetal
mask.Hehadbeenright:fourmorekniveshunginabandoleeracrossits
chest.
AtthatmomentTrinkandLysanderrushedin.
“Thebigman’sdead,”announcedTrinkcoldly.“Itakeitthisisthe
Pit-spawnthatkilledhim?”
Jagnodded.“Mindout,he’sstillarmed.Wouldyouliketodothe
honours?”TrinkquicklyremovedalltheDarkAcolyte’sweapons,aswell
ashismask.Thefacebelowwasapaleone,thesameshadeasthedead
cultistsfromthewreckoftheSalamander.“Now,Ithinkyou’vegotsome
explainingtodo.Becauseifyoudon’t,wecanmakelifeveryuncomfortable
foryou.”Jaghadnointentionoftorturinghisprisoner,orevenofkillingit.
Theveryideamadehimsqueamish.Still,theassassindidn’tknowthat.
“First,whosentyouandwhy?”Jagdemanded.AgaintheAcolyte
merelyspat.LuckilyJagstillhadhistrumpcard.“Yousee,Ialreadyknow
aboutyou.YouservesomeonecalledOmega,whoistherepresentativeof
someMaster.Yourcultplantotakeovertheworld.Ijustwantyoutofillin
afewmissingdetails.Let’sstartwiththeMaster.”Finallythecaptive
Acolytespoke,inaraspingvoicethatgratedonJag’sears.
“TheMasterseesallandhearsall.Whenwehavecleansedthis
worldofsinhewillbetheultimateruler,withhisfaithfulservantsathis
side.Allotherswillperish.Alltheevilandinjusticeofthisworldwillbe
wipedout.”
“Whatishe?Agod,adaemon,aMannaroramortal?Or
somethingentirelydifferent?”Jagproddedthecultistagainwithhis
sword,tofocushismindontheimportanceofansweringthequestion.
“Heistheconquerorofworldsandthedestroyerofstars.And
nowIwilltakemyleaveofyou.”
“Hah!You’renotgoinganywhereuntilwe’refinishedwithyou.
Besidesthat,IsuspectthatifyoureturntothisOmegatoreportfailure
he’sgoingtokillyou.Evenifyoudon’tthensurelyhe’llhaveyouhunted
down.”
“IreturnonlytotheMaster,tohispalace.AndIshallbringwith
me.”Thedefeatedassassinthenbegantospeakinaforeignlanguage,
unlikeanythingJagwasfamiliarwith.However,afterafewmomentshe
becameconvincedthattheDarkAcolytewasrepeatingaparticular
phrase.
“Getback!”shoutedTrink.“Getawayfromit!”
Thecultist’shandsweregrippingJag’scollarbeforehecould
react.Itdidn’tseemtocarethatithadimpaleditselfonJag’ssword.Jag
triedtopullaway,buttheassassinheldhimtight.Hebecameawareofan
intenseheatradiatingfromhiscaptor’sbody,andredoubledhiseffortsto
escape.
TrinkstrucktheDarkAcolyteacrossthefaceandheletgo.Jag
staggeredbackwardsjustasfireeruptedfromthecultist’sbody.Theman
collapsedinflames,whichburnedunnaturallyfastuntilallthatremained
wasacharredskeleton.
“BloodyPit!”Jagrecoveredhisbreathslowly,relievedathis
escapefromtheunexpecteddanger.“AndIwassoenjoyingourlittle
conversation,”hesigheddryly.
“Somepeoplearejustplainrude,”observedLysander.
“Socouldyoutellwhathewassaying?”askedJag,stepping
cautiouslyovertothebody.
“ItwasMalkovari,”answeredTrink.“Likethecultistswe
overheardinBar-Salowerespeaking.ThelanguageoftheMalkovari
tribesmen.Helookedlikehecouldhavebeenoneofthem,cometothinkof
it,althoughit’sexceedinglyraretoseeoneoutsidetheirhomeland.
LiterallyhewasaskingtobeconsumedbythefireofthePit,butIrather
suspecthewasactivatingaspellalreadyplacedonhim.Itwouldhave
beensetincaseofcapture,tostophimselfrevealinganysecrets.Maybe
theentireculthasthesamespell.Couldmaketakingprisonersrather
tricky,”musedthegnome.
“Holdon,”saidLysander.“JustashestartedhischantingInoticed
himclutchhisfinger.”Hereacheddownandremovedasliverringfrom
whathaduntilrecentlybeenthecultist’shand.
“Wellspotted,”saidTrink.“Thisisprobablywhatwasholdingthe
spell.We’llhavetogetsomeonewhoknowswhathe’stalkingabouttotake
alook.”Hetooktheringandpocketedit.
Thecrowdfromtheinnhadgraduallymadetheirwayouttosee
whatwasgoingon,andweregatheredoutsidethestables.Therewasa
slightapplause,butitturnedtoshockwhentheysawthescorched
remainsoftheDarkAcolyte.Theinnkeeperwastheonlyonetoapproach.
“Hewon’tbedoingthatagain,”observedtheinnkeeperdrily.
“Whathappened?”Jagexplained,omittingtomentionthereasonforthe
attack.“Isee.Well,thanksfortakingcareofhim.Idon’twanthissortin
here.Can’thavepeopleattackingmycustomersunprovoked.Ioweyou.”
“Allinaday’sworkforthemightyJaggarGarrick,saviourofthe
world,”announcedTrink.Therewassomeuneasylaughterfromthe
crowd.
“Well,Jaggarandcompany,goodwork.”TheinnkeeperpattedJag
ontheback.“I’llgetHarn’sbodytakendownstairsuntilsomeonecan
collecthimtomorrow,andournewsupplyofcharcoalcanstayherefor
now.Butforthethreeheroeshere,drinksonthehouseallweek.”
“Well,”saidLysander,“seemswe’vegotonenighttomakethe
mostofaweek’sfreedrinks.Soundslikeachallengetome.”
ChapterTen
Thenextdaythegroupofescapeeswenttheirseparateways.Mostheaded
northintotheDianthicEmpire,andafeweast,butitwasonlyJag,
LysanderandTrinkwhoturnedtothewest.
Theroadtowardsthemountainssoonfadedaway,leavingthem
tocrosstherollinggrasslandwithonlyLysandertoguidethem.Luckily
thedwarvencaptain’ssenseofdirectionpaidoff,forwithinsevendays
theyhadreachedthefoothillsoftheWesternMountains.
“There’snotmanypeoplegothisway,”observedLysanderas
theywalked.“MosttravellingtotheWestCoastortheHoldswouldrideor
drivethroughtheSouthPass.Theydon’toftencrossthehills.”
“Whereareweactuallygoingtofindthedwarfs?”askedJag.
“Well,thecapitalisAxehold,butthat’salongwaynorth.The
CouncilshouldbeontheirannualtouroftheHolds,though,andifmy
memoryservesmewellthey’llcurrentlybeinShieldhold.Asithappens
that’sthemostsouthernly,andgenerallythemosttooutsiders.”
“Youknowtheway,right?”checkedJag.
“OfcourseIdo.Fornowwejustheadnorthintothemountains.”
“Howlongwillittake?”askedTrink,eyeingthedistantpeaks
withagrimace.
“Idon’tknow,”repliedLysander.“Dependshowfastwewalk,and
ifthesnowhasreachedthemountainsyet.Probablythreeorfourdays.”
Theyinitiallymadegoodprogress.Bythesecondafternoonafter
Lysander’spredictiontheyhadmadeitquiteawaynorth,andthehills
werenoticeablyhigher.Otherwise,exceptfortheever-growingmountains
ahead,therewaslittleelsetosee.However,blackcloudshadbeen
gatheringalldaylong,andnowsleetwasbeginningtofallatarapidly
increasingrateasthunderrolledtowardsthem.Itbecameobviousthat
theywouldsoonbeinthemiddleofaparticularlyviciousstorm.
“Howaboutfindingsomewheretotakecover?”suggestedTrink.
Thegnomehadbeenpassingthetimewithaseriesofmarchingsongs
gatheredfromhistravels,butitwasbecominghardtoproperlyhearhim
abovethethunder.
“Icertainlywouldn’tdisagree.Whataboutthatoverthere?”
askedJag.Hepointedatashapeonthecrestofahill,adarkblurinthe
fallingsnow.“Itcouldbeabuilding.Perhapsworthheadingfor.”
“Fairenough,”agreedLysander.“Hopefullywemightbeableto
grabsomerealfoodtoo.There’sareasontheBlueArmyare
revolutionariesandnotpalacechefs.”
Astheyapproacheditbecameclearthatthebuildingwasinfacta
ruinedfortofsomekind.Awide,squattowerwasallthatreallyremained
ofit,agraniteconstructionwithhigharrow-slitsanditsbattlementshalfmissing.
“Ahwell,”saidJag.“Nofood,butatleastwe’llhavesomewhereto
takeshelter.”
“Interestingplaceforafort,”Trinkobservedastheybrokeintoa
jogupthehill.“AlthoughnowIthinkaboutit,ahundredandfiftyyearsor
soagoKrakenbardidpushthefrontieroutthisway,nearlyasfarasthis.
Onlyforafewyears,asIrecall,butitwouldexplainwhyDianthuswould
bebuildingouthere.”
“Isthereanythingyoudon’tknow?”askedLysander.“Isuppose
you’vewrittenastoryaboutitaswell.Thoughitdoesringabell,nowyou
mentionit.IbelieveitruffledafewfeathersintheHolds.Comeon,let’s
takealook.”
Astheyapproachedtheysawseveralsmallerbuildingsclustered
aroundthemainkeep.Allhadseeminglybeenlooted,forinsidetheywere
emptybutfortheoccasionalpieceofbrokenwoodenfurniture.Afewwere
intact,buttherestwereinvaryingstatesofruin,fromcrackedwallsto
somethatwereallbutentirelylevelled.Nonehadmuchinthewayof
roofing,andsotheywerequicklydrawntotheentrancetothekeep.
Insideacentralwoodenstaircase,whichhadcollapsedtoblock
thedownwardflight,wassurroundedbyaringofroomsatgroundlevel.
Thethreeofthemstoodshiveringintheentrance,watchingthestorm
outsidebuilding.
“Howabouttakingalookaround?”suggestedTrink.“Isaywe
splitup.Wemightfindsomethinginterestingwhilewe’rehere.”
“What,likechestsfulloftreasure?”sneeredLysander.“Anything
remotelyinterestingherehasbeentaken.”
“Trink’sright,”putinJag.“Anyway,noteverythinginterestingcan
belooted.”Theysplitup,eachtakingathirdoftheroomstosearchand
agreeingtomeetattheentranceafterwards.
Jagmadehiswayaroundthebuilding.Hewasforcedtoadmit
thatLysanderhadprobablybeencorrect–anythingofanyinteresthad
beenstrippedoutlongago.
Whenhehadfinishedhisshareoftheexploringhestrolledback
tothegate.Hewasthefirstoneback,sohesatbackagainstthewallwhile
hewaitedfortheothers.Iwonderhowfarthey’vegot.Trink’sprobablyfound
aninterestingrockandisformingadetailedhistoryoftheancientcivilization
thatuseditforgoodness-knows-what.Lysanderwillhavedecidedtorestfora
momentandfallenasleep,thelazydwarf.
Outofthecornerofhiseyehesawsomeonefurtherdownthe
corridor.Ah,here’soneofthematleast.Hesatuptoseewho,butwhenhe
lookedtherewasno-onethere.
Howodd.Mustbeatrickofthelight,Isuppose.Justafunnyshadow.
Despitetheperfectlyrationalexplanationheshiveredslightly.“Asifthis
placeisn’tmysteriousenoughwithoutseeingthingsthataren’tthere.”
“Itis.”Jagspunaround,butitwasonlyLysanderroundingthe
corner.“Mysterious,thatis.Anyway,firstsignofmadnessandallthat.”
“What?”
“Talkingtoyourself.”
“Oh.Right.”
“Can’tsayIreallyblameyou.Thisplacegivesmethecreepsas
well.IkeepgettingthefeelingthatI’mbeingfollowed.”
Jag’ssenseofuneasewasgrowing.“We’dbettergofindwhat’s
happenedtoTrink.Hewentthatway,didn’the?”
“Hedid.Godsknowwhathe’supto,though.”Thepairwalked
aroundtowherethegnomewassupposedtobesearching.Afterawhile
hewasfoundlyingonhisfrontbythewallinoneoftherooms.
“Trink!Areyouallright?”calledJaganxiously.
“Yes,yes,comelookatthis!Look,look!”JagandLysanderjogged
overtoseewhatwascausingthegnome’sexcitement.“LookwhatI’ve
found.Ifthisisn’tinteresting,thenIdon’tknowwhatis.”
Trinkhadfoundaholecutthroughtheflooratthebaseofthe
wall.Theflagstoneshadbeendisplacedtorevealthesoilbeneath,andan
openspaceextendingdownbeyondthereachofthelightthatshone
throughaholeintheroof.
“It’sahole,”announcedLysander.Insightful.“Newlydug,aswell.
Youdidn’tmakeit,didyou?”
“No,no,”repliedTrink.“ItwaslikethiswhenIarrived.”
“Lookstomelikeitwasdugtoday,”Lysanderobserved.
Trinknodded.“Look,it’sstillfallingin.No,Ihaven’ttouchedit.
Thiswasonlydugasatemporaryentrance.Itwillprobablyhavefilledin
withinaweek.Maybewhoeverdugthisisstillinside.”
“Shouldwetakealook?”askedJag.“Someoneclearlythinksthisis
worthinvestigating.”
“Weoughttotakeapeek,”saidTrink.“Oneofuswillhavetowait
upherethough,incasetheholegivesway.”
“No,I’vegotabetterplan,”revealedLysander.“Withabitof
rubblewecanshoretheholeupnicely.Thennoonemissesout.”
“Let’sseewhatwecandothen,”agreedJag.Therewasenough
loosestonearoundtoquicklyreinforcethehole,althoughthatmadethe
alreadynarrowgapbarelybigenoughtosqueezethrough.
“Ihopewhoever’sdownthereisn’ttoomuchonthelargeside,or
they’llnevergetout.”Lysanderlookeddownatthetightentrance
dubiously.“I’mnotsureit’sevenbigenoughforme.”
“Comeon,”saidJag,strikingasparkontohistorch.Ithadbeen
weighinghimdownsincetheirescapefromBar-Saloandhewaspleased
tofinallyputittogooduse.“I’llgofirstifyouwant.Holdthisamoment.”
Jagloweredhimselfdownuntilhisfeettouchedtheground.Ithadbeen
pavedinstonelikethefloorabove.
TakingthetorchfromTrink,Jagfoundhimselfstandinginwhat
appearedtobeabedroom.Theflickeringtorchlightilluminatedasimple
woodenbed,adeskandachair.Therewasalsoachestinthecorner,but
thelidwasopenandJagcouldseethatitwasempty.Threewallswere
bare,buttheinfourthanopendoorledintoacorridor.Therethelight
ended.
InaminuteLysanderandTrinkweredown,andhadlittorchesof
theirown.
“Hardlyspectacular,”commentedTrink.“Ancientruinsshould
haveabitmoreclassthanthis.YouexpectthingslikeyouseeinMannic
ruins,notsomebarracks.DidItellyouaboutwhenIexplored
Wytchhaven?No?BigshrinetoSalarissaoutinEldara.Nowthatwas
impressive.”
“Isn’tentrytoMannicruinsillegal?”askedJag.
“Aye,itisinmostnations,”admittedTrink.“Butgenerallyworth
it.AftertheWarstheyjustsealedthemup,notevenstoppingtoloot–
unlikehere.”
“Comeon,giveitachance.”Jaggrinned.“EvenMannicpriestesses
needtosleepsomewhere.Now,Iwonderwhat’sdownthere.”Jagleftthe
roomandmadehiswaydownthecorridor.Itwasverylong,withmore
identicalbedroomsleadingoffthesides.Allwereemptyapartfromthe
samefurniture.Afteraquiteafewyardsheemergedintoalarger,
pentagonalroom.
Therewerefiveirondoors,oneineachwall,andallbutonewas
open.Eachwascarvedwithasimpleyetelegantmotifofclashingswords.
Thecloseddoorappearedtobejammedshut,withnokeyholeorother
visiblemechanism.Therewereburnmarksalloverit,asthoughcausedby
anexplosion,aswellasnumeroussmallscratches.Someone,orsomething,
hadevidentlybeentryingtomaketheirownwaythrough.Despitethe
surfacedamage,however,thedoorstillappearedassturdyasever.
“Maybeitisn’tadoor,”suggestedTrink.“Itcouldjustbeawall
withafakedoortopreservesymmetry.”
“Idon’tthinkso,”saidLysander.“Notmanypeopletakethe
troubleofmagicallyreinforcingadoorwhenthere’sawallbehind.”
“Magically?”askedTrink.
“Yeah,youdon’tthinkwhoeverwastryingtogetitcouldn’thave
madeevenabitofadentinordinarymetal?Look,watchthis.”Lysander
pickedupalargestonethatmusthavefallenfromtheceilingandhelditin
twohands.“Right.”Helifteditoverhishead,andthensmasheditdown
intothedoor.Therewasablastofheatoutfromwherethedwarfhad
struck.Theblowhadslightlyscratchedthedoor,butitwasnoworsethan
themarksalreadythere.“Here,feelthis.”Thestonewashotenoughto
makeitpainfultotouch.“Anotherhitandthiswouldprobablycrack,but
thatdoor’snotgoinganywhere.”
“Ohwell,”saidTrinksadly.“AndIbetthat’swhereallthe
treasureis.Bytheway,weareindeeddealingwithaMannicruin.That
emblemonthedoors,withthecrossedswords–it’sthemarkofTyrarn,
LordofCombat.”
JagthoughtuncomfortablybacktohislastvisittoaMannicruin.
“Weshouldprobablygetoutofhere.Theseplacesmustbeoff-limitsfora
reason.”
“Pah,that’sonlyfortheplebs,”saidTrinkdismissively.
“Governmentsareworriedthatsimplepeasantswouldgetcorruptedinto
Mannarworship.That’snotgoingtohappentous,isit?”
Theyleftthesealeddoorandtheonethroughwhichtheyhad
entered,turningtoregardtheothers.Allthreeoftheremainingdoorsled
toidenticalcorridorswhichcurvedawaytodisappearfromview.Jagwas
abouttoinvestigateonewhenhesawadarkshapeontheperimeterofthe
lightbytheentrancedoor.
“Look!”hecalled.
“What?”askedTrinkandLysandertogether.Buttheshapewas
gone,andwhenJagranintothedormitorycorridortopursueithefound
eachroomempty.Theirmysterylootercouldn’thavegotuptheholethat
quickly.
“Nothing.Don’tworry,”herepliedashereturnedsomewhat
sheepishlytothepentagonalroom.MaybeI’mjustgoingmad.No,inaplace
likethisatouchofnervesisexcusable.Healthy,even.Theotherswerelooking
athimsomewhatoddly,andhereddened.“Howaboutwetakeacorridor
eachandmeetbackhereifwefindanything?”Theothersagreed,andleft
fortheirownexplorations.
Jag’scorridortookhiminawidecurvethatterminatedinalarge
room.Itseemedtobeaclassroom,foritwasfilledwithwoodendesks
facingapodiumatoneend.Atbothsidesstairsdescendedforaboutseven
feetbeforetheywereblockedbyrubblefromthecollapsedwalls.There
wasnomeanstoprogressfurther.Hopefullytheothershadmoreluck.Still,
weknowthatthere’satleastonelowerlevel.Jagturnedandreturnedtothe
mainroom.
WhenhegotbackhefoundLysanderwasalreadythere.
“Caveinjustroundthecorner,”explainedthedwarf.“Whatdid
youfind?”
“Somekindofclassroom,Ithink.Therewereacoupleof
staircasesgoingdown,buttheywerebothblocked.”
“Soit’salldowntoTrinkthen.”
“Yup.Whydon’twefollowhimdownthatway?Savehim
pocketingallthetreasurebeforewegetthere.”
TheystartedoffdownTrink’scorridor.Itwasmuchthesameas
theotherstheyhadseen,thoughthistimelinedbycupboardsfilledwith
oddsandends.Therewasnothingworthtaking.
“Thisisn’texactlythearchaeologicalfindofthecentury,isit?”
observedJag.“Surelytheremustbesomethingdownhere.”Theyhadbeen
followingthecorridorforoveraminutenowasitwoundbackandforth.
“Ibethe’sroundthenextcorner,”saidLysander.They
approachedthebend.
“No,he’snothere.Maybethenext.”
“Oh!What?”exclaimedLysanderinconfusionastheyrounded
thecorner.Itwasblockedbyacave-in,andtherewasnowaypast,not
evenforagnome.
“WherethePithashegonethen?”sworeJag,confused.
“Couldwehavemissedsomethingonthewayalong?”
“Wemusthave.Whereelsecanhebe?”JagandLysandermade
theirwaymuchmorecarefullybackdownthecorridor.ItwasLysander
whospottedit:adarkhole,hiddenbehindacolumnonthewalland
barelyafootandahalfwide.
“No.Hewouldn’thave.Wouldhe?”askedLysander.“Trink
wouldn’tbethatstupid.Hewouldn’thavegonedownthereonhisown.
Notwithouttellingus.Wouldhe?Wouldhe?”Thedwarfgrimaced.“He
would,wouldn’the?”
Jagsighedandnodded.“Hewould.YouknowTrinkaswellasIdo.
Doyouthinkhe’dbeabletoresistthis?Makingthediscoverybeforeus?”
“You’reright.”Lysandercroucheddowntopeerintothehole.
“There’salightdownthere.Couldbehistorch.Trink!”heyelled.“Trink!
Comebackhere!Great.ThatleavesustofollowhimdowntoAwarknows
where,theawkwardsod.”
“Indeeditdoes.”Jagloweredhimselfintothedarkness,squeezing
throughthenarrowgap.Lysandercouldbeheardtomuttersomething
aboutstupidfoolgnomesashefollowed.
Thetwoofthemstoodinthetunnelbelow.Unlikethepassages
aboveitwasn’tlinedwithstoneblocks;itappearedtobeanatural
formation,orelsehewnfromtherockitself.ThelightLysanderhadseen
fromabovehadseeminglybeenextinguishedorelsemovedfurtherdown
thetunnel,fortheonlyilluminationcamefromtheirtwotorcheslyingby
theholeabove.Itwasbarelyenoughtoseethreepaces.
“WhatdoesTrinkthinkhe’splayingat?Thisisaverybadideafor
ajoke.”Lysandersoundedannoyed.
“Listen,”orderedJag.“What’sthat?”Asqueakcouldbeheard.It
waslouderthanJagwouldhaveexpectedforamouseorrat.Thedarkness
magnifiessound,doesn’tit?
“Soundslikearat.IhopeitbitesTrink;hedeservesitforthis.”
Lysanderwasnotnormallysovicious,butworryforhisfriendwasmaking
himlosehistemper.“Comeon,bringthetorchesdown.Iwould,onlyI
can’treach.”Jagreachedupthroughtheholetowherethetorcheswere
burning.Heliftedthemdown,givingthepairtheirfirstrealviewofthe
tunneltheywerestandingin.Andofthesourceofthesqueaking.
Itwas,astheyhadassumed,clearlyarat.Butthemoment
perspectivekickedinitbecameapparentthatitwasalsofourfeettall.A
second’smorestudyrevealeddetailssuchastheknifeitcarried,andthe
cloakitworeoveraleatherwaistcoat.
“Yegods!”criedLysander.“AVermak!”Jaghadnoideawhat
Lysanderwastalkingabout,butheguessedthattheratwasn’tfriendlylargelybythewayitwasabouttothrowaknifeatthem.
Hediveddowntothegroundastheweaponflewoverhim,torch
fallingtothefloor.
Ashesprungbackupherealizedhewasautomaticallydrawing
hissword.Overthelastfewweeksithadbecomeanaturalreaction;itwas
slightlydisconcertinghowmuchofacomfortitnowfelt.
LuckilyLysanderhadkepthisfeetandhadhisaxedrawn.He
quicklyslicedopenthegiantrat,whichcollapsedtothegroundmortally
wounded.Unfortunatelyitseemedthecreaturewasnotanisolated
aberration;Jagcouldseemoreoftheirunnaturalshapesintheshadows,
allfleeingdownthedimlyilluminatedtunnel.Twoofthemwerecarrying
somethingslungbetweenthem–somethingroughlythesizeofafullygrowngnome.Trink?Damn.Thisisnotwhatweneed.
“Afterthem!”Jagcalled,sprintingdownthetunnelhimself.He
couldcountatleasthalfadozenrat-creatures,buttherewasnotelling
howmanywaitedinthedarkness.
Thetunnelstretchedonforalmostamile,twistingallthetime.It
seemedtobeslopingdownwards,butJagcouldn’treallytellinthe
commotion.HewouldhavesoonoutpacedLysander,werehenothavingto
duckonaccountofthelowceiling.Therats(apparentlyknownasVermak)
theywerechasinghadnosuchtroubleanddartedahead,sometimes
beyondthetorchlight.TheywouldrapidlyhaveleftJagandLysander
behind,onlyeverysooftenTrinkwouldstarttostruggleandtheywould
slowupwhiletheybroughthimbackundercontrol.
Still,slowlybutsurelythequarryweregainingalead.Oftennow
theywouldbehiddenbybendsinthetunnel,andeverytimeJagworried
thathe’dlostthem.Theonlythingthatkepthimrunningwasthesightof
Trinkertip.Thepairofratscarryinghimhadfallentothebackofthepack,
lettingJagseethegnomehangingbetweenthetwo.Hisattemptstobreak
freeweregrowingmoreandmoredesperate.
“Thisispointless,”pantedLysanderfromJag’sside.“We’renot
gaininganything...throughalongchase.Theydon’tevenseemtobetiring.
Icertainlyam.Thelongerwecarrythison...thefurtheraheadtheyget.
Soonerorlaterwe’regoingtolosethem.We’lljusthavetostopthem
somehow.How?”
He’sgotapoint.Averygoodpointindeed.Whatcanwe-hm,wortha
try.
Hedrewthezerfyr.Nowthisisgoingtobearealtrickshot.And
dangerous.Jagtookadeepbreath.Timetoreallyputthisthingtothetest.
Heraisedthedagger.Now,hittingabarrelbehindthemilitiahall
wasonething,andhittingahostiletargetanother,butamovingtarget,
whileontherunhimself?Withafriendcloseby?Undernormal
circumstanceshe’dneverdaretryashotlikethis.SorryTrink.Hemadea
quickprayer,andtheninaswiftmovementletthedaggerfly.
ForahorriblemomentJagthoughthewasgoingtohitTrink,but
tohisintensereliefthebladeburieditselfinthebackofoneoftheVermak
carryingthegnome.Theunfortunatecreaturetumbledforward,andTrink
wassuddenlyspilledtotheground.Amidstmuchsqueakingthepartyof
rodentsstoppedtorecovertheirprisoner,butbythenJagandLysander
wereuponthem.
Jag’sswordswungupinasilverarc,catchingoneunluckyratin
theface.Itreturneddownagaintoblockacutlassblowtohiswaist,before
strikingouttostabtheowneroftheoffendingweapon.TohisleftJagcould
seeLysandercarvinganequallybloodypath.
Hesawtheattackcomingfromtheedgeofhisvisionanddodged.
Thelargestrat,possiblyfivefeetinheight,caughthimaglancingblowto
theribswithamace.IfJaghadn’tmovedwiththeimpacthewouldhave
almostcertainlybrokensomething.Asitwas,hewouldn’tbesurprisedif
heendedupwithanastybruisethenextday-ifhesurvived.
Helungedoutatthebiggestrat,butfoundhisswordparriedon
themace.Jagwasforcedontothedefensiveashisopponentraineddowna
flurryofblows.Hewishedhestillhadthedagger,buttherewasnowayof
recoveringitinthemiddleofthefight.
Hewasstilljustmanagingtodefendhimself,butwithoutany
chancetostrikeback.FortunatelyLysanderwasholdingbackthetwo
remainingratsthathadn’tfled.Theduelwasonlyendedwhentherat
doubledoverinpain,leavinghisneckexposedtoaswiftstrokeofJag’s
blade.LookingdownhesawTrink,whohadjuststabbedthegiantratin
theleg.
“Thanks,”pantedJagasLysandercutdownthelastrat.
“Noproblem.”Trinkdustedhimselfoff.“Besides,Ishouldbe
thankingyou.Youfollowedallthewaydownheretorescueme.Ididn’t
thinkyou’devennoticethehole.”
“Howdidyouendupdownhere?”askedLysanderashestrolled
over,wipinghisaxecleanontheleatherjerkinofagiantrat.
“Notthroughchoice,letmetellyou.I’djustreachedthecave-in
andturnedroundtocomeback.Itwasthenthatthosedamnedrats
jumpedmeanddraggedmedownthehole.Inearlybrokefreeearlyon,
whenyoucamedown.SincethenI’vebeenluggedalongbythosetwo
brutes.”HeshotaviciouslookattheratthatstilllaywithJag’szerfyr
protrudingfromitsback.“Oh,andniceshot,Jag.You’renearlyasgoodas
me.”
“Soyouknowwhatthosethingswere,then?”JagaskedLysander,
unabletohideasmileofreliefthathisfriendwasunaffectedbyhisrecent
capture.
Lysandergrunted.“InDwarven,Vermak.Mypeoplehavecome
acrossthembefore.Whenweextendtheholdsoutwesometimesbreak
intotheirtunnels.Theyalwayspourthroughandtakedaystoflushout.
Onceortwicethey’vemadetheirownwayin,andthelowerlevelsofa
holdwillbeoverrun.Theytakeslavesandlootwhatevertheycangettheir
grubbypawson.”
“Vermak,yousay?”askedTrink.“That’sonenameforthem,
thoughI’veheardmanyothers.Giantratsturnupinthemythofmany
cultures,allsurprisinglysimilar.Itisn’ttoomuchtobelievethatthey’re
real.”
“Especiallywhenyou’vejustcutthroughsixofthem,”Jagpointed
out.
“Especiallythen,”concededTrink.“SohavetheDwarves
investigatedthemfurther?”
“We’vetried,buttheVermakareexpertsinfightingintheirown
tunnels.Threesizeableexpeditionaryforceshavegonemissingdown
here,aswellascountlesssmallerbandsofadventurers,lookingtomakea
nameforthemselves.Butwe’dneverdreamedthecavernsextendedthis
farsouth.Theymustbemorewidespreadthanwerealised.”
“Thisisreallyquiteinteresting,”saidJag,“buthadn’twebetter
discussthiswhenwegetout?Thisplacecouldbecrawlingwiththe
blighters.Youknowthewayback,don’tyouLysander?”
“Icouldfinditblindfolded,”confirmedthedwarf.“Followme.”
Lysanderledthegroupbackthewaytheyhadcome.Thelong
windingroutelookedtoJagtobethesameonetheyhadtakenbefore,but
astheyroundedacornertheywereconfrontedbyasightbothamazing
andratherterrifyingthatmadebrutallyclearitwasn’t.
“Oops,”mutteredLysander.
ThankyouforreadingthissampleofTheTwoEmpires.If
you’veenjoyeditsofarandwanttofindoutwhetherJag,
TrinkandLysanderwilleverescapefromthetunnelsof
theVermak,headtowww.malkovari.cominorderto
purchasethefullbook.
AbouttheAuthor
JackKBurroughswasbornin1990inBuryStEdmunds,
England.HestudiedLawatDowningCollege,Cambridge,
andcurrentlyworksinCambridgeasatraineesolicitor.
JackfirststartedworkonTheTwoEmpireswhilestillat
school,onthebasisthathelikedtoreadbutwouldlikeit
evenmoreifhegottodecidewhathappenedinthestory.
Thefirstdraftwascompletedoverthecourseofseveral
years,andsincethenhasbeenrewrittenagainandagain
untilJackwasfinallyhappywiththetext.
Asidefromreadingandwriting,Jackenjoysradiocontrol
carracingand(tohiscontinualsurprise)jogging.Heused
todokarateandfencing.Hewouldliketobeabletodraw
buthasnotalentforit,whichiswhyyouwon’tseeanyof
hisillustrationsinTheTwoEmpires.
ForfurtherinformationaboutJackandtofindoutabout
furtherbooksinTheMalkovariWar,visit
www.malkovari.com.YoucanalsofollowJackonTwitter
@JackBurroughs,oronFacebookat
www.facebook.com/jack.k.burroughs.
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