Shadow Magic, page 26
A look of fear crossed her face, just for a moment, but it was there. It was the first time Robert had ever seen even a hint of fear in her.
“What?”
“I love you, Blade. I love you in that dress or the nastiest, most sweat-stained suit of leather armor you’ve ever worn.” He kissed her and held her close.
“I love you too, Bobby,” she whispered in his ear.
Robert smiled as they separated. “We’d best not keep the lord of the manor waiting.” He reached up and clanged the door knocker twice.
Someone must have been standing on the other side of the door because it opened almost as soon as the second knock sounded. A bored-looking man in a black servant’s uniform said, “Sir Robert and companion?”
“That’s us,” Robert said. Blade shot him a funny look when the butler said sir but he just shrugged.
“This way, sir, the master is waiting for you in the dining room.” They followed the butler into the house. The entryway was a large room with a cathedral ceiling and glass chandelier. There must have been a dozen candles burning in it. A staircase in the center of the room led to the second floor. The butler led them to the right and through an ornately carved door made of some wood Robert didn’t recognize.
The dining room was half again the size of the entryway and was dominated by a table long enough to seat forty people. Argus was seated at the far end of the table, holding a glass of wine. Spheres of light illuminated the room.
Argus rose as they entered and smiled. “Welcome, my friend,” he said. “This must be the lady with whom you have no official relationship.”
Robert winced when Blade looked his way.
“Just my way of saying we aren’t married. Blade, let me introduce Argus Hamilton, an old friend of the family. Argus, this is Blade.”
Argus came around the table and Blade held out her hand. Argus ignored it and picked her up in a bear hug that enveloped her lithe body. Blade looked ready to reach for her daggers by the time Argus set her down.
“Pretty little thing,” he said. “You always did have good taste in women, Bobby.”
“I prefer to think I have good taste in men,” Blade countered.
Argus roared with laughter. “This one’s a keeper, Bobby.”
Robert smiled, happy to see them getting along. “Where’s your wife, Argus?”
“In the kitchen. You’d think with the money I pay that damn cook she’d let the man do his job without fussing over him like a mother hen, but no. She doesn’t think anyone can do anything right without her looking over their shoulder.”
“Maybe she just wants everything to be perfect for our visit,” Blade said.
“I used to think that,” Argus said. “But she fusses when it’s just the two of us. I think it’s just her nature.”
“You should be grateful, you hairy oaf, that you have a woman that cares enough to fuss over your supper.” Standing in the doorway behind Argus was a heavyset woman with graying blond hair dressed in a blue gown. Rings glittered on her fingers and a diamond necklace was almost swallowed up in the folds of her neck.
“I’m afraid to turn around,” Argus said looking a little rueful.
Before Robert could comment, the woman said, “You ought to be.”
“Marie, let me introduce my old friend Robert and his, ah…” Argus looked at Robert. “Help me out here, son.”
Robert bowed and put his hand on Blade’s back. “My lady, Blade.”
“Smooth-tongued devil,” Marie said.
Argus laughed again. “Aye, I believe Bobby could talk a starving rat out of its last bite of cheese.”
Blade looked surprised for a moment then smiled. “I’ve been called a lot of things over the years but this is a first for ‘lady.’” She shook hands with a slightly flummoxed Marie. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise, I’m sure,” Marie said sounding a little unsteady.
“Where’s supper?” Argus asked.
“A few more minutes, dear.” Marie left them to return to the kitchen.
“It could be hours and that woman would say just a few more minutes.” Argus sighed, fondly Robert thought, and gestured at the seats to his right. “Come and sit down, we can talk for a while.”
Robert sat beside Argus and Blade sat beside Robert. “So did you find out about the ships?” Robert asked.
“Like I told you before,” Argus said. “There aren’t many ships going to the High Kingdom from here. You lucked out though. There are two ships leaving this week, the Desert Fox and the Mermaid’s Smile. The Fox is owned by a High Kingdom merchant. They only have one bunk available for passengers, the rest were reserved.”
Robert glanced at Blade who nodded. “How many bunks were available to begin with?” Robert asked.
“Six, why?”
“Just curious,” Robert said.
“Where’s she docked?” Blade asked.
“Pier twenty-seven, near the south end of town. Look, I told you guys she’s full up.”
“I know,” Robert said. “But there might be a cancellation or two. Never hurts to cover all the options. When does she sail?”
“Tomorrow evening. All passengers are to be on board by noon.”
“Thanks, what about the other one?”
“The Mermaid’s Smile is a free trader from the north. They had four bunks and I booked three of them.”
“Excellent, how much do I owe you?” Robert asked.
“That’s the best part,” Argus said. “They didn’t figure anyone would want to travel to the High Kingdom, so when I offered to book the rooms they agreed to my first offer which was half the going rate for a trip of that length, forty gold pieces each.”
“There are some odds and ends I can liquidate but at best I might get a hundred. I’ll have to owe you the rest.”
“Forget it,” Argus said. “I’ve got more money than I’ll ever spend. Pay me when you can.”
Robert smiled in relief. “Thanks, I will pay you back. I promise.”
Argus waved off his offer. “The Mermaid’s docked at pier two and she sails the day after tomorrow.”
“Dinner’s ready.” Argus’s wife came through the door with a servant on her heels.
Marie sat beside her husband and the servant set a plate of appetizers down on the table. They looked like little cups filled with some kind of white paste.
“What are those?” Blade asked.
Argus grabbed one and popped it in his mouth. After he swallowed he said, “Mushroom caps filled with ground lobster. They’re quite good.”
Robert and Blade each took more cautious bites.
“They are good,” Robert said.
Blade finished hers without comment.
“So, did you two hear about the excitement this morning?” Marie asked.
“I’m afraid not,” Robert said. “I’d love to though.”
“Well,” Marie said, needing no further encouragement. “I heard at the market that a wizard appeared in the city, blew up a building, and attacked three members of the guard. One of them was hurt before the other two managed to drive the wizard off.”
“How awful,” Robert said. “Did anyone get hurt in the explosion?”
“Several dead bodies were found in the ruined building. The guardsman will recover, thank heaven.”
The rest of the meal passed quickly with meaningless chatter and little substance. About two hours later Argus and Marie walked with them to the door. They paused just outside and Blade shook hands with them both. “Thank you for everything,” she said.
Argus and Robert embraced. “Don’t be a stranger, Bobby.”
“I won’t. Thanks again.” He leaned over and kissed Marie on the cheek. “Goodbye.”
Robert and Blade left the grounds of Argus’s home. As they walked to the inn Robert said, “Something’s up.”
“What do you mean?” Blade asked. “I thought everything went well.”
“I thought so too, but then Argus said not to worry about paying him back. In all the years I’ve known him, he’s never been so casual about a debt. With Argus it was always business is business and friendship be damned.”
“Are you sure?” Blade asked.
“No. The way I see it there are two possibilities. One, Argus has changed so much over the years since I’d seen him last that I just can’t believe it or he’s got something unpleasant planned for us. While I wish the first option were true, I fear it’s much more likely we’ve got a nasty surprise coming.”
“So what do you want to do?”
“I’ll tell you when we reach the inn. First thing we need to do is change into our working clothes.”
Chapter 49
Shara sat on the hard, thin mattress of her prison bunk. The hunters had thrown her in there almost immediately after they arrived at the dirty little building that served as their base. They had delayed just long enough to try and remove her ring. She’d taken considerable pleasure in the pained look that crossed the young hunter’s face when the jolt of magic struck his hand.
He’d yelped and jumped back like a bee-stung puppy, then sworn and thrown her in the cell without a word.
She looked around the cell. The only furniture was the uncomfortable cot upon which she sat. A door with thick iron bars was locked with a sturdy-looking padlock and chain. The accommodations weren’t nearly as nice as her first kidnappers’ hideout. The next group that grabbed her would probably take her to the sewer.
Shara never heard the gray-robed hunter approach. She closed her eyes for a moment and yelped in surprise when she found him standing in front of her door.
“Someone should put a bell on you. Didn’t your mother teach you that it’s rude to sneak up on people?”
The hunter smiled. “Feeling feisty, are we?”
Shara glared at him. “Nothing like being stuck in a cage to improve your mood.”
“You won’t be there for long. Tomorrow you begin your journey home.”
Shara felt like telling him she’d begun her journey home weeks ago but decided she didn’t feel like it.
“We’ll be leaving by ship in the morning,” the hunter continued. “Do you know, with your capture my pack will be assured the alpha position for the next year? Never has a pack from a city as small as King’s Port held that distinction.”
“I’m thrilled for you,” Shara said, her voice dripping with venom.
“I don’t expect a mark to understand. It’s a matter of pride, of honor. There are packs in every city in the world. Whichever brings in the most gold each year gets to hold the rank of alpha for the following year. We gain no wealth, only the acknowledgement of our peers that we are the best. I hope you can take some solace in the fact that you made this possible for us.”
“When I’m getting tortured by that lunatic sorcerer, I’ll be certain to keep that in mind.”
The hunter laughed and left her alone in her cell.
Chapter 50
Nord pounded his fist on the table. He sat at the head of a long table in the palace war room with Arkon on his right and the only surviving officer of his once-great army, a Jalin something, on his left. While it felt good to be home, Nord couldn’t exactly relax and enjoy it.
“They wiped out the entire patrol?” Nord demanded.
“Not all of them, my lord. They left one alive to report back,” Jalin said.
Nord fought with all his might to keep from drawing Heat’s Bane and striking the fool down where he stood. With so few men remaining every warm body was valuable, even stupid ones. “Get out.”
With no further prompting Jalin scampered out of the war room like a scared rabbit. When he was gone Arkon asked, “What do you want to do?”
“We need more men,” Nord said. “Try and contact Duke Benwa again and tell him to send whatever troops he can raise south as soon as possible.”
“Perhaps it would be best if you told him yourself. I can arrange for you to speak to him directly.”
“You’re afraid of him,” Nord said.
“Damn right,” Arkon agreed.
“Fine, do what you must. I’ll handle Benwa.”
Fifteen minutes later in the crude lab Arkon had set up, Nord sat before the wizard’s crystal ball. A thin blue light connected Nord to the crystal. Benwa’s face floated in the sphere. “Close your eyes, my lord, and you’ll be able to speak to him.”
Nord did as he was bid and closed his eyes. Benwa’s face appeared in his mind’s eye.
“Duke Benwa?” Nord said hesitantly.
“Good day, Prince Nord. What can I do for you?” Benwa asked.
“I need you to gather as many soldiers as you can and send them south to reinforce my position. They should be on their way in a week at most.”
“I don’t think so,” Benwa said.
“What?” Nord demanded.
“I believe you heard what I said. I’ve been watching your efforts with considerable interest. It appears to me that Daktari takes less interest in your wellbeing than I originally thought. I simply can’t imagine the great sorcerer would allow you to fail so miserably if he cared about the outcome of your efforts. If Daktari doesn’t support you, then I see no reason I should. I will send no troops south, and should you consider returning north I can assure you, you won’t find a pleasant welcome waiting.” Benwa snapped his fingers and the connection broke.
Nord shuddered slightly as the mind link vanished. Benwa wouldn’t help and any attempt to return north would be suicide. Arkon made a slashing gesture and the blue light that connected him to the crystal ball vanished.
“You heard?” Nord asked.
Arkon nodded. “What now, my lord?”
Nord ran his fingers through his hair and laughed. He sounded more than a little hysterical even to his own ears. He couldn’t imagine what Arkon thought.
Then again maybe he could. The boss is going mad. Maybe I should disappear while I’m still in one piece.
But no, Arkon was loyal. As long as his life wasn’t in any immediate danger he’d stay. “My friend, it’s time to survive. Cease all patrols. We’ll keep our people inside the palace walls. Perhaps if we can last long enough, fate will deal us a better hand.”
Chapter 51
Vilos stood atop the city wall beside the sentry that had sounded the alarm. Approaching from the north was a column of men, soldiers judging by the weapons that glittered in the sun. Given the gaping hole in the wall, holding them off would be a problem.
“Can you make out their flag?” Vilos asked.
“No, Majesty.”
Vilos shaded his eyes against the glare. It couldn’t be Nord’s men, and his own forces weren’t due for two more days. He squinted. Nomads didn’t march with that much discipline.
Who the hell were they?
A rider urged his camel ahead of the main force. The sentry bent down and picked up the crossbow lying at his feet.
“Steady,” Vilos said. “We won’t start anything.”
The sentry lowered his weapon but still held it ready. As the rider got closer Vilos almost sagged in relief. He recognized the uniform first, then his face. It was Yosef, two days early and a sight for sore eyes.
“Open the gate!” Vilos said. When he heard the wooden gates start to creak he climbed down to meet Yosef. Yosef was just dismounting from his camel when Vilos reached him. He straightened and saluted.
Vilos returned the salute. “Captain, good to see you in one piece.”
Yosef grinned. “Likewise, Majesty. How’d you fare in the battle for the capital?”
“Well enough,” Vilos replied with a shrug. “Abin says we have my brother bottled up in the palace with less than ten percent of his fighting force remaining.”
“Wonderful, when do we ride in and retake our home?”
“It may be that the people here need our help more for the time being.” Vilos briefly filled him in on what had happened. “How did you manage to get here so fast? I didn’t expect you for another two days.”
“I pushed the men a little harder than usual. When they told me how big your brother’s army was, I got worried. It seems I need not have bothered.”
Vilos smiled. “No you didn’t need to, but I appreciate the thought.”
Seeming eager to change the subject Yosef said, “So, your daughter’s alright. That’s wonderful news.”
The two men moved away from the gates as the rest of his command began pouring through. Two hundred soldiers wasn’t a huge force, but Vilos would take what he could get.
“As of a few hours ago at least. If the sorcerer got his hands on her…” He shook his head as despair started to seep in and forced the feeling away, just enough so he could function. The despair never left. He could feel it crouched and ready to pounce if he started to think about Shara. “I’m assuming she’s all right until I know for certain otherwise.”
“Company.” Yosef pointed behind him.
Vilos turned to see Abin approaching. “What’s the damage?”
“Bad, the last two golems exploded in the middle of the city. The majority of two blocks have been leveled. The survivors are being taken to the House of Healing Winds. Plenty of others are trapped beneath the rubble.”
“Lucky we just got some volunteers. Let’s go dig those people out.”
Chapter 52
Robert and Blade made their way through the quiet night streets. They’d stopped at the inn just long enough to change into their traveling clothes and pack their gear. Robert now carried his crossbow and six quarrels. Blade wore her old armor and sword. The new armor she’d bought creaked too much for sneaking around.
As they made their way toward the Prancing Pegasus tavern, Robert felt dozens of unseen eyes on him. Happily, no one was foolish enough to get in their way. The grim look on Blade’s face more than saw to that.
Near the south edge of the city they stopped in an alley beside a tavern with a winged horse sign in front. Across the street was a sturdy-looking single-story building. Just like the kid had said.
