The End of Surrender, page 22
part #4 of The Stalwart Link Series
Darren knocked.
A thin and gray Gartel opened the door. “DVend! Thank the gods you are alive. Who are these boys? Wait, Andar and Leo? Gods! Come in! Please come in!”
“Thank you, Gartel, but I’m going to stand guard,” Darren replied. “I don’t trust the people out here.”
“That might be wise. The rest of you, follow me.”
Gartel held the door open for everyone as they went inside the large two-story building. Andar was pleased to see that the ground floor was just as he remembered, with large tables organized in rows and plenty of space to walk between them. What surprised him the most was that he remembered the name of every tool and machine he saw, even though he hadn’t thought about them in years. The only difference was the lack of workers and patrons.
“Where is everyone?” Andar asked.
“I sent them away when word reached me that DVend Quim came out of the cavern. I figured you all might come here. Did everyone survive in the dark realm?”
“Yes, but how do you know anything about that?” Andar asked.
“Oh, I can imagine the story this will make! I wish there was time for you to tell me all the details, but I think it’s best I speak instead. We have at least a moment, however, for me to mention how good it is to see you boys alive.”
“You as well,” Leo agreed with a grin.
Andar nodded. “But I never apologized. Let me do so now. I’m sorry I took the gold ink and lied about it. I shouldn’t have done that, and I still don’t know why I did.” He noticed Leo looking shocked, but Gartel just waved a hand.
“Don’t worry about that now. It’s in the past, and I’ve heard some tales as to what you and Leo have accomplished with your father. Jaktius Perl is really destroyed, right?”
“It is,” Andar confirmed.
“Wonderful! Follow me. All of you look famished.”
Gartel led them into his office where plates of sliced bread, cheese, and fruit awaited on his desk. There were tall mugs filled with water, as well as a number of pouches that Andar assumed had more food for travel.
“I had this prepared in case you needed it,” Gartel said proudly.
“Thank you!” Leo said as he grabbed some bread. Everyone followed suit.
“This could very well save our lives,” Andar told him.
“I’m just happy to help. I’ll bring some to DVend, and then on to business.”
They stuffed their mouths as Gartel went out briefly, then returned.
“The truth is,” he began, “that Rizan put a bounty on all of your heads. Anyone who kills you or even attacks you will receive a reward.”
“We figured he had assumed we would die in the other realm,” Andar explained.
“He probably did figure that. I assume this plan was just in case you made it out.”
“But everyone has been avoiding us,” Leo added.
“Because they don’t want to hurt you, but they don’t want to be involved either. They would be killed if the barbarians found out they aided you. As soon as you can, you all must leave the city.”
Gartel didn’t appear worried about himself, but Andar assumed he was just showing bravery.
“Are there any barbarians left here?” Andar asked.
“From what I heard and saw, I believe they all chased your army northeast. I don’t know what happened after that. We are all waiting for news about what might be next, but none of us have heard anything. We don’t have eyes on any of the roads. We are just humble citizens who know what happens in Jatn but not anywhere else.”
Andar could hear the pain in Gartel’s voice. There was no doubt that the older man wished he could do more.
“We appreciate your help,” Andar said. “What happened after the barbarians arrived?”
Leo asked the other question on Andar’s mind. “And what about our aunt?”
“I tried to do everything I could to help,” Gartel said solemnly. “I kept her identity hidden for as long as possible.”
“What happened?” Andar asked.
“Unfortunately, after DVend came to the city and requested to speak with her, they figured out who she was. Yune was taken with them when they left the city.”
A silence followed.
“For what purpose?” Leo asked.
But Andar knew the answer. “As a hostage. They plan to use her to keep us from fighting them, in case we survived Deza and the kasigerr.”
“You destroyed Deza and the kasigerr?” Gartel asked with disbelief. “Just the four of you and DVend?”
“The beast was injured,” Andar said.
“That is still a remarkable feat. How I wish there was time to write down some of what happened, but you all should be leaving as soon as possible. Word is spreading that you are here. What else do you need to know?”
“Was Yune all right when she left?” Leo asked.
“Yes,” Gartel said. “Most of us had not been hurt by the barbarians. Even women like your aunt were unmolested, mostly. The barbarians who did commit inappropriate acts were punished publicly.”
Lane gasped. “I can’t believe it was true. Rizan told us this, but I could’ve sworn he was lying.”
“I assume he also told you that they were only here looking for a better life,” Gartel said.
“Yes.”
“They told the citizens of Jatn the same thing when they took the city. Some of their men disposed of the bodies of the hired sword of the Farmers’ Guild who didn’t flee with the rest…as well as the citizens who got in their way. Meanwhile, Rizan and the other barbarians announced their intentions for the city. I remember standing in the market with the smell of blood in the air, and some fires still raging, when he said he would rule the city peacefully. He claimed it would be better off by the time he was done here. We all knew he was lying, but no one could say anything. They took control of all the farms.”
He looked at Andar and Leo mostly as he spoke. “As I’m sure you know, this is a farming city. All the food we eat is grown right here. With control of it, they had control over everyone. They forced some of the more capable men to join their ranks and march off with them. Half their forces stayed here. It was more than enough of them to control the city, so most of us didn’t understand why more didn’t leave with the others. We figured the king’s army would come for us eventually, and the barbarians intended to defend the city.
“Weeks went by with not much to eat. They took everyone’s coin and valuables. Many joined the barbarians by choice, especially men desperate to feed their families. They took control of the businesses that had the most profit. Because no one had money for food, no one bought books either. There was no rich class of people in Jatn anymore. There wasn’t even a middle class. The possessions of everyone had been taken.”
Andar asked, “What happened to the farm masters like Rhenol?”
“The smart ones tried to flee as soon as the barbarians came to the city, but many people didn’t make it out. I heard that Rhenol escaped. His farm was far enough on the outskirts for him to make it. The people of lower class were forced to do the same jobs but with even less to their name than they had before. It was hard enough already for the farms here to support all the people in Jatn. Imagine how hard it became when all the barbarians refused to work and never went to bed hungry. It wasn’t long before people started dying.”
“Sounds worse than if the barbarians just killed all the hungry outright,” Erisena commented.
“I believe the barbarians really thought they could take over the city without changing much,” Gartel said. “And they thought it would remain mostly the same. But Jatn had a lot of problems before they came. During the first weeks, a lot of people fled the city. I don’t know where they went. I thought about joining them, but I figured if I stay I might be able to help the army that comes for us eventually. I’m glad I did. Soon they added more men to watch for runners. I don’t know what they did with those they caught.” He glanced over everyone. “All finished eating? You should leave.”
Andar was still curious about everything else that had happened here, but it was true that they had stayed too long.
Darren opened the sturdy front door to the guild as they left Gartel’s office. He looked panicked as he closed it behind him and locked it. There was a patter against the door as if it was pelted with arrows.
“Archers,” Darren said, confirming Andar’s suspicion. “And a whole group of men with various weapons from pitchforks to carving knives.” He shook his head. “The last thing I want is to slay the poor denizens of the city.”
“They came here to kill us,” Lane said. “We have to get over our guilt right now.”
“You’re right. Is there any other way out?” Darren asked Gartel.
“Yes, there is a back way out of my office.”
They followed Gartel back into his office. There was a door Andar hadn’t noticed during his focus on the food earlier. A bookshelf was in front of it, revealing only the top. He and Leo moved the bookshelf out of the way.
“I had this made after the Orellos took the city from the Farmers’ Guild. I didn’t trust Jatn to remain safe, or my guild. It’s a surprise it’s still here, to be honest. People must appreciate books even more than I first thought.”
“I hate to tell you this, Gartel,” Darren said, “but I smell smoke and I’m going to wager that it means the people out there who want to kill us don’t value books as much as you do.”
It took Andar a moment to realize just what his father was saying because Darren’s tone had been without worry. “The buildings on fire?”
“Yes. Let’s move.”
How is he always calm?
“Let’s move!” Andar said as he turned the lock on the door, threw it open, and ushered Leo into the dark tunnel.
“We’ll need light,” Gartel said. “Let me get a lamp.”
“Don’t need it,” Leo said from the tunnel. A cluster of light was already hovering in front of him.
“Gods. How?”
“No time to explain,” Darren said as he pushed Gartel in after Leo.
Andar was the last enter, providing light at the other end. The tunnel turned a few times. Soon they stopped, and Andar heard his brother grunting as he tried to get the next door open. Then Gartel murmured something and tried as well.
“What’s going on?” Andar asked Erisena in front of him.
“Gartel thinks someone blocked the door. Darren’s going to try now.”
Andar heard his father grunting, along with the sound of wood slamming into something.
He couldn’t make out what was said at the front, but soon Erisena was telling him that they were going back.
“And hurry,” Erisena added.
They rushed out of the tunnel and darted out of the office. But they stopped at the sight. The front door and much of the wall around it was aflame.
“Which widow is the largest?” Darren asked Gartel.
“The two next to the door.”
Fire covered them.
“And the next largest?” Darren asked.
“There are no others that can fit even Lane or Erisena.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Andar knew what had to be done. “I can clear the fire,” he said as he ran upstairs.
“Stay away from the windows,” Darren ordered as he hurried after him. “The archers, Andar!”
“I need to see somewhere to link the fire, and if it’s on top of the archers, then all the better.”
“Andar, wait. I will set up a barricade.”
“There isn’t much time, DVend!” Gartel yelled from halfway down the stairs. “The building is burning quickly.”
“There is time,” Darren countered.
“If you say so.” Gartel stopped near Darren on the second floor. “Can Andar really move the fire?”
Andar replied, “So long as I have a clear view and enough time.”
He would’ve asked his brother to help, but Leo had not had a chance to learn how to link fire yet, and it was bound to take time that they didn’t have.
The upper floor of the bookbinding guild was where Gartel stored most of his books for sale and in progress. The tables and shelves displayed the books in various genres. Darren grabbed the largest table nearest to the front facing window and turned it over, a few dozen books falling to the ground. He did the same with the next table, turning it to stand beside the other.
The smell of smoke was heavy in the air. Flames were working their way up, the orange fire tips licking the base of the window. Andar felt like he was inside an oven as he came close to the barricade his father had made in front of the window. He put his shirt over his mouth and tried to see through the fire and smoke.
An arrow broke through the glass, just missing his head. He’d fallen back from the startle and felt his brother helping him up. Andar looked behind him to ensure no one was hit. They all stood clear.
If at least one archer can see me, then I should be able to see him.
It burned his eyes to keep them open so close to the fire, but eventually he saw the silhouette of a man through the smoke. He stood atop a single-story building just ten yards away. He appeared to be loading another arrow.
Andar spoke to his Artistry, telling it to choose the spot right above the archer. The start of the link was set. The next part was more difficult, however. He didn’t see how he was supposed to gather all the fire, especially when it was spreading so quickly.
Wait, I don’t have to gather all of it, just as much as I can.
It only took a few breaths for his Artistry to find all the fire Andar could manage to hold with his mind. He locked the link in place and transferred the flames away.
The fire shrunk in front of him, the heat dissipating. Meanwhile, a ball of fire grew over the archer’s head, forcing a scream out of the man’s throat as he dropped his bow and ducked. He tried to roll away from it, but Andar had no mercy for this man. He moved the rest of the fire away from the great guild hall that he treasured, and the fireball blasted the archer with a surge of heat.
It tossed the man off the roof. Andar had to ease up to keep from burning the building in front of him. He didn’t know what kind of shop it was, but it surely didn’t deserve to be burnt to the ground.
He barely heard Gartel muttering in awe, but most of Andar’s focus went into finding the other archer.
“Down!” Darren said as he pulled on Andar’s shirt.
Andar ducked as another arrow flew through the window where his head used to be. A few more shards of glass rained down around him. A set of three arrows beat against the overturned tables blocking most of the broken window.
“DVend Quim!” shouted a man whose voice Andar did not recognize.
Gartel let out a small gasp as he met eyes with Darren. “That’s why the escape tunnel was blocked. There are only a few people who knew about it.”
“Raenik?” Darren asked behind gritted teeth.
“It must be him.”
Why is that name so familiar? Whoever he was, his presence made Darren furious.
Raenik continued to shout from outside, while no one dared to look, in fear of archers.
“Open the front door, DVend. There are a number of shackles waiting. Put them around your hands, all of you, and come out. You will not be hurt. That is a promise, DVend. You know that I have kept all of my promises to you. Remember that I told you I would one day get revenge for how you treated me when I had nothing. You brought this on yourself, but you and your children will not be harmed so long as you do not fight.”
“What’s he talking about?” Leo asked.
Andar took a moment to use his Artistry to check on the fire. There wasn’t much left, but it was spreading around the far side of the building, too far for Andar to reach. At least the door was clear.
There were a few loud clanks as men must’ve tossed shackles near the entranceway. It was probably still closed and locked from the inside, but the fire had no doubt weakened it. Raenik and these men could break through with axes or a battering ram, if they had either.
“Raenik is a proud man who thinks that I took advantage of him,” Darren answered as, from a crouch, he snuck a quick look out the window.
“I can attest to that,” Gartel said. “It was arguments about you, DVend, that eventually ended our friendship. I found out what kind of man Raenik really was when he showed me all the anger he held for you, Erisena, and the others who stood up for the citizens of Jatn.”
“Why Erisena?” Leo asked.
“I captured him and destroyed some of his shop,” she answered. “He had the real papers of many wanted men who had joined my cause. I needed those papers, and he refused to sell them to me at a reasonable price. He was also…disobedient after we captured him, requiring the use of force.”
“Oh, he’s the one who made false papers for Father and me?” Andar asked.
Erisena nodded. Darren backed away from the window and turned around.
“He made me threaten people on his behalf for years,” Darren explained. “He holds a grudge against me because I threatened him with violence when he had no power left. I wanted to find out what I could about Erisena after she had captured Raenik and then sent him to fetch me.”
“That’s all he’s mad about?” Leo asked incredulously.
“That’s all,” Darren confirmed.
“DVend!” Raenik shouted. “We are prepared to burn this guild hall to the ground, but it is not something any of us want. Open the door, use the shackles, and come out peacefully.”
Darren went to a different window. Everyone watched as he cautiously moved into position and peered out. A moment later, he whipped back as an arrow broke through the glass.
He grumbled a curse. “He has the betrayers with him, and about twenty others I can see.”
“Our betrayers?” Erisena asked.
Lane added, “The ones who stabbed you and KRenn?”
“Yes,” Darren answered. “They are both there.”
Andar cursed this time. “Sarding hell.” He wanted to look out of the window for himself, but he wouldn’t risk it.
These were the two men who had made the battle against Jarrel Marks in the palace much more difficult than it needed to be. They had been allies right up until the battle was about to begin, when they betrayed everyone by stabbing Darren and KRenn, incapacitating both of them. Darren had later arrived at the palace on the back of one of KRenn’s massive summoned creatures, but he had been out of the fight for a long while. KRenn, on the other hand, never recovered from his wound and perished from it and Esitry poisoning.
