Shadow Magic, page 24
“Splendid, we live in the nobles’ quarter to the north. It’s a white house surrounded by an iron fence. You can’t miss it, there’s an old ship’s wheel over the gate.”
Robert got to his feet. Blade and Shara would worry if he didn’t get back soon. “Thank you for everything, Argus.”
Argus walked Robert to the door. “No promises, Bobby. I don’t do a lot of business with the High Kingdom.”
The men shook hands. “Whatever you can do will be much appreciated, old friend.”
“Until tomorrow night then.”
Robert nodded and retraced his steps through the warehouse. He waved to the doorman as he left. Outside the cool night air felt refreshing. It was almost dark but the sun still held on by a thread.
Robert took a deep breath of the salt air. He felt relieved and more than a little surprised that Argus had decided to help of his own free will. Maybe getting married had mellowed him. Robert really liked the old sailor and would have hated to have to ruin their friendship.
He made his way to the inn keeping to the shadows. As he moved between two buildings he suddenly felt silly. No one in King’s Port was looking for him. As it was he stood to draw more attention to himself acting like a thief than if he just walked along like an honest citizen.
He had just decided to follow his own advice when he heard a harsh, familiar voice. “What do you mean turn back the other way? I thought you said she was this way.”
Robert could hardly credit his ears. That sounded like Shale. Couldn’t be, of course. The Wolfen should have killed them all.
All the same, Robert decided to play thief a little longer. He crept through the shadows toward Shale’s voice.
“I know you can’t just tell her to hold still,” Shale said. “You know, forget it. I’m beat. Let’s find an inn and continue searching tomorrow.”
Robert poked his head around the corner of a building and sure enough in a shaft of dying light stood Shale. His face looked pretty cut up, but Robert recognized him. Standing beside him was a familiar cat. It appeared Scratch had lost his voice. Shale held the crystal rod that would lead him to Shara.
Shale tucked the rod away and started down the street. Scratch just sat in the road and stared at him. Shale stopped and turned around. “I don’t care if you want to keep looking. I’m tired. Go ahead and look on your own if you want. Maybe I’ll get lucky and some bum’ll kill you and have you for his supper.”
Shale continued on his way and Scratch followed, tail drooping. Robert trailed them for the better part of fifteen minutes before Shale found an inn to his liking. It looked like the cheapest one in the city. The roof sagged in the middle and the windows bore a coat of grease and soot so thick Robert couldn’t see through them.
Man and cat entered the building and Robert lingered for a few more minutes to make certain they didn’t come out again. When he felt satisfied that they were settled for the night, he retraced his steps to his inn. He had to tell Blade that Shale survived.
Robert hurried through the streets no longer concerned about being seen. Other than the occasional doubletake no one paid him the least attention. He stopped to catch his breath outside the door of the inn.
When he’d composed himself he entered and spotted Blade sitting by herself near the fire. He saw no sign of Shara, probably upstairs sleeping. Blade stood as he approached.
“We’ve got trouble,” they both said.
They stared at each other for a moment. Blade looked as confused as he felt. “You want to go first or shall I?” he asked.
“I will. Your news couldn’t possibly be any worse than mine.”
He gestured for her to proceed. If Blade thought the news was bad it had to be.
“I lost her, Bobby,” she said.
“Lost her?” He suddenly felt sick.
She nodded. “Six men with crossbows jumped us. I never had a chance. A seventh man took her away while the rest kept me from following.”
“Son of a bitch! Well, you’re right. Your news is worse than mine. On the way back from the warehouse I spotted Shale and Scratch.”
“You did?” Blade looked pleased.
“Yeah, you seem happy. That wasn’t the reaction I was expecting.”
“Are you kidding? This is the best news I’ve had all night.”
Half an hour later, Robert and Blade were crouching in an alley across from the filthy inn where Shale was staying. They spent the entire night watching to make certain their former comrades didn’t leave under cover of darkness.
Blade kept watch the first part of the night then woke Robert from his garbage-pile bed to handle the morning watch. She was asleep now, leaning against one of the buildings, her bare sword on her lap. Robert kept his crossbow cocked and loaded.
When Blade had been happy to hear about Shale’s arrival Robert couldn’t have been more surprised. It hadn’t taken Blade long to explain her plan. She intended to use Shale to lead them to Shara. Once she’d explained, Robert had found the irony delicious.
The sun was just starting to color the horizon when Shale came out the door. He held the crystal rod in his left hand. The tip glowed in the dull morning light.
Robert bent down and touched Blade’s arm. Her eyes popped open.
“They’re on the move,” Robert whispered.
Blade hopped to her feet and sheathed her sword. Shale was headed north. Robert and Blade followed along behind trying to keep out of sight. They hardly needed to do anything special as Shale rarely looked up from the crystal.
They finally stopped in front of a two-story stone building. There was no activity outside.
Robert looked at Blade. “I’d have thought there’d be guards posted outside.”
“Might too obvious,” Blade said.
Robert didn’t feel inclined to argue. Shale tried the front door which opened with no problem. “Don’t tell me they decided not to lock the door too.”
“Something’s definitely wrong,” Blade agreed.
Chapter 43
Shara sighed and stared up at the ceiling. When they’d arrived at the grim two-story house hours ago her petite captor had led her upstairs and locked her in a bedroom. Soon after that an attractive young woman about her age had entered carrying a bucket of steaming water and a clean lavender dress. It had been so long since Shara had washed that even the thought of a sponge bath appealed to her.
She’d tossed her filthy clothes in a pile and bathed while the silent young woman stood with her back turned. Once she’d dried off she dropped the dress over her head. The silk felt wonderfully soft against her skin after the rough homespun cotton shift Robert had given her. The servant left then with the bucket and her dirty clothes.
Heaven only knew how long ago that was and she hadn’t seen anyone since. Shara hopped off the bed and walked around the room again. There was no window, so she had no idea what time of day or night it was or where in the city she might be.
She was about to lie down and try to sleep when someone knocked on the door. It opened a moment later and her tiny captor entered.
He sketched a bow. “Princess, we’ve contacted your uncle. It seems your father has gone south for a visit.”
She took a deep breath. Father. Though she’d never really admitted it to herself she’d feared he hadn’t survived the confrontation with the sorcerer. “My father was well?”
“Yes, I believe so. Your uncle’s wizard said nothing that would make me think otherwise, why?”
Before she could answer someone screamed downstairs. “Stay here, Princess.” The little man pushed the door shut and Shara heard a click as he relocked it.
“Where do you think I’m going to go?” she asked the empty room.
She started pacing. Three trips across the room and someone else screamed. She stopped and moved closer to the door so she could hear.
From the hall beyond came the sound of steel on steel. The sounds grew louder as the battle moved closer to her room. Gradually the battle came to an end.
Moments after the last thump of sword striking flesh a crash sounded. She took three steps away from the door. The decision proved wise when an axe-head burst through her door right where her head had been a second before.
In seconds the door was reduced to kindling.
A figure in a gray cloak entered, brushing aside the few splinters of wood as he passed through the opening. A gold wolf’s head medallion hung around the intruder’s neck.
A hunter. Shara remembered Robert mentioning the bounty hunter group back in Reaper’s Crossing.
“Princess Shara, I presume,” the hunter said, his voice deep and commanding.
“Yes.” Shara stood straight with her chin raised like her father had often told her she should.
“You have been captured by the Hunters’ Guild. The bounty specifies no harm be done to you. I would prefer to allow you to walk out of here but I will carry you bound and gagged if I must.”
Shara sniffed in disgust. “I will walk.”
“As you wish.” The hunter gestured her through the door. “This way.”
Outside her ruined door stood three more gray-robed men with silver wolf’s head medallions. One let her pass and the other two preceded her down the steps. They led her to a rear entrance.
Outside dawn was just coloring the horizon. They crossed the street and went down a dark alley.
Kidnapped again. This really wasn’t her night.
Chapter 44
Robert and Blade watched from across the street as Shale drew his sword and went inside a stone building with Scratch at his heels. They waited about thirty heartbeats before following.
The pair raced across the street then paused by the doors. Robert put his hand on the door and found it still loose. When Blade nodded he pushed it open and she stepped inside. Robert followed right behind, crossbow at his shoulder ready to fire.
They found the guards just inside the door. Both men were lying in puddles of blood, their throats cut ear to ear. Blade reached down and touched one of the puddles.
She rubbed the blood between her thumb and forefinger. “Still fresh. These men were killed recently.”
Robert’s eyes darted around the room. “This isn’t terribly encouraging.”
“Yeah, let’s hope we find her before who did this does.”
Red footprints led away from the bodies. They followed them to a staircase then up to the second floor. The blood must have worn off because the footprints started to fade halfway up the stairs before vanishing altogether.
At the top of the stairs was a short hall with a door on each side. Both doors had been smashed down.
Blade pointed to the door on the left.
Robert nodded and pointed to the door on the right.
They eased along with their backs to the wall before stopping beside their respective doors. Blade leaned over and peeked inside. When she pulled her head back she shook her head.
Robert nodded and peeked in his room. He found Shale rummaging through some papers. As far as Robert knew, Shale couldn’t even read.
He waved Blade over beside him.
Barely whispering he said, “He’s in there.”
“I’ll go in first,” Blade said just as softly. “Shale’s mine, you take care of the wizard.”
Robert gave her a thumbs-up and after a moment’s hesitation she stepped into the room. Robert followed a step behind. He scanned the room for Scratch but couldn’t see him.
Not good.
“Where’s the girl, Shale?” Blade demanded.
Shale spun around at the sound of her voice, sword held ready. “I assumed with you. Seems I was mistaken.”
Shale charged hoping to knock Blade off balance.
She batted his sword to the left then spun right, away from the force of his charge.
Shale staggered slightly when the expected impact didn’t come.
Blade lunged, her sword diving straight for Shale’s heart. Shale just managed to turn the blow aside enough to save himself though Blade cut a nasty groove in his side.
She withdrew quickly and parried his weak counter.
As the battle continued back and forth Robert spotted Scratch sneaking up behind Blade, his yellow eyes glowing.
Not wasting any time, Robert fired a bolt that took Scratch through both lungs.
He died in an instant.
The pained look on Shale’s face revealed his plan. He’d been trying to hold out long enough for the wizard to save him.
An evil smile spread across Blade’s beautiful face. “Just you and me now.”
Blade launched a furious assault that forced Shale back on his heels.
She was so much faster than him that he couldn’t land a counter or even block most of her attacks.
It wasn’t long before he was bleeding from a dozen shallow cuts.
Shale raised his sword over his head and charged.
Blade sidestepped and delivered a backhand slash across his neck as he passed.
Shale’s head came free of his body in a shower of blood.
“You all right?” Robert asked.
Blade nodded, not even breathing hard. “I never did like him.”
She bent and removed the crystal rod from his pocket and slipped it into hers.
“Me either.” Robert reloaded his crossbow. “Let’s go find Shara.”
There were two more rooms down the hall, both with intact doors. Blade kicked down the first one and Robert went in crossbow ready. The room was empty. Not even a piece of furniture to show someone had been there.
Morning sun was streaking through the window. Robert slid it open to let in some fresh air. As he looked out he spotted a flash of light. In the alley across the street a man was trying to hide. The flash came from something shiny on his chest.
“Blade, take a look at this.” Robert waved her over to the window. “See that guy down there? Can you make out what’s shining?”
Blade shaded her eyes and stared. “Looks like a silver medallion.”
“Hunters,” Robert muttered. “That makes sense. Who else could have found her? Let’s go ask him where she is.”
“Wait, if we go charging down there, he’ll run as soon as he sees us.”
“Good point.” Robert raised his crossbow to his shoulder. “I assure you he won’t run anywhere with a foot of steel in his hip.”
Sighting down the length of the bolt Robert took careful aim at the hunter. It wasn’t a long shot but the angle from the second-story window made it awkward. He eased the trigger down until the bolt leapt forward and struck the hunter in the upper left thigh.
“A little low,” Blade said.
The man was on the ground grasping his leg.
“You shoot him next time. Come on, before he crawls away.”
They went through the building and hurried over to the alley where the hunter lay writhing in pain. “Grab his arm,” Blade said.
Robert did so and they dragged him deeper into the shadows of the alley. When they were a little better hidden Robert took a closer look at the kid. He didn’t look more than twenty and had a smooth face never touched by a razor. On his chest was a silver wolf’s head medallion.
Robert sighed in relief. At least he hadn’t shot an innocent bystander.
“All right, boy, where is she?” Robert asked.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the hunter said through clenched teeth.
“Then let me be more specific. The young lady that was in residence across the street was a friend of mine. I’d like to know where your companions have taken her. I’m in a bit of a rush, so why don’t you just tell me so I can go get someone to look at your leg?”
“I can’t.”
“A pity.”
Robert put his index finger on the nock of the bolt sticking out of the hunter’s leg. He started moving it in a circle, slowly tearing the wound wider. The kid started to scream but Blade clamped a hand over his mouth stifling the worst of it.
Robert stopped. “Are you certain you wouldn’t like to reconsider? This is only going to get worse.”
The hunter nodded. Blade drew a dagger and put it to his throat. “Don’t yell,” she said in a harsh whisper before removing her hand.
“The chapter house,” the hunter said softly. “They took her to the chapter house for safekeeping.”
“And where is that?” Robert asked.
“South, near the edge of the city. It’s a single-story wooden building across from the Prancing Pegasus tavern. You’ll never free your friend. There are thirty hunters in residence.”
Robert nodded, only half listening. Blade thumped the hunter on the head to silence his moaning.
“He’s right you know,” Blade said. “There’s no way we can storm a chapter house filled with hunters.”
“Quite right, but to collect the bounty they’ll have to deliver her to the High Kingdom, no?”
“Yes, those were the terms of the contract.”
“Then they’ll need a ship for transport.”
“Yeah, so?”
“Let’s get back to the inn. Did I mention we have a dinner engagement tonight?”
Chapter 45
Raven groaned as the flashing of his crystal ball jolted him awake. He’d only rarely left his lab since Daktari had enlisted his services. His absolute terror of missing something the sorcerer might deem important kept him chained in place.
The crystal glowed steadily now. Someone was trying to make contact. Please don’t let it be Daktari.
He touched the sides of the ball and established the psychic connection required for the magic to function. A moment later an unshaven, red-eyed face appeared in the ball.
“Morning, Raven,” the unshaven wizard said, his words slurring together. Raven imagined he could smell the stink of spilled ale.
“What is it?” Raven asked with ill-concealed impatience. Stupid wizards shouldn’t play with crystal balls when they were drunk.
“We got that girl the boss was looking for.”
The princess.
Suddenly less annoyed and more nervous Raven asked, “Where is she?”
