Terry W. Ervin (19 page)

We reached the stairs. Both Road Toad and I looked back when we started to climb. Four men wearing dark garments had taken the fork to the north steps too.

Road Toad spit over the railing. “This could get interesting,” he said quietly as we began tromping up the worn steps, with me to his left next to the cliff.

“There’s only four,” I said, knowing we’d been in far worse situations. I’d rather face four men than two battle trained ogres anytime.

“For now,” he said. “They’re not armed as thieves, and I’m not sure they’re intent on killing us.” We reached the first double back on the stairs. “I think I have an idea who might be waiting for us at the top.”

“At the top?” I asked, looking down at the four men who’d reached the stairs and began to climb. “Who?”

“You’ve met Colonel Brizich?”

I nodded, and peered up through the rain, toward the top of the cliff. “He doesn’t think much of me.”

Road Toad grinned. “I’ve never been popular with him either. Long story. But the short end of it is, since you’re linked to me, you’ll never be, well, popular with him.”

“Grand Wizard Seelain doesn’t like him,” I said. “They exchanged words in the imperial seer’s chamber.” We reached the second double back. I took a couple of deep breaths to relax. Thinking of Wizard Seelain reminded me how poorly I fought with my sword against goblins on the battlefield. She’d come to my rescue then. I didn’t expect the same from her tonight.

We were nearing the top. “If things go bad,” said Road Toad, “make a break for it.”

“No way I’ll abandon you.”

“If I’m right, this is about my past. You—”

I slapped him on the shoulder, and interrupted him. “I know I’m not much with a sword, but I’m your aft-guard, right?”

“Ha Ha,” he laughed loudly. “Let’s see what awaits us.”

We reached the top and walked off the stairs, onto the wooden platform. It extended twenty feet before ending in a pair of steps down. Back along the edge of the cliff ran a double-railed fence. Two men stood along the fence to the north of the platform and one leaned against it to the south. Twenty feet ahead, on the platform’s edge, stood two more men.

The darkness and rain made it difficult to distinguish features, but the capes lying wet against their bulk indicated armor. Except for them there was no one nearby; the lights of the nearest inn seemed a hundred miles away.

One of the men twenty feet ahead took two strides forward. I recognized his voice. “Jadd,” sneered Colonel Brizich. “Visiting your old haunts?”

“Colonel Brizich,” replied Road Toad in a merry voice, “how unexpected. It’s a dreadful evening to be out and about. Would you like to take our reunion under a roof somewhere? I’ll even buy you a drink.”

“I’m sure you would. But this won’t take long,” the colonel said, resting his hand on his sword’s hilt, “if you’re cooperative.”

Road Toad put his fists on his hips. “You must think much of our sword skills.” He looked around and then over his shoulder to the four men who’d reached the platform, “if you’ve brought eight capable men, and expect it to take a while.”

“I’ve seen your associate’s sword in action, and these men are quite capable and loyal.”

I turned part way so I could watch the men who’d advanced a few strides from the stairs.

“Let’s get on with it,” said Road Toad. “Why are you here?”

“It’s been rumored that you’ll be offered a commission.”

“It is possible. But who am I to question the wisdom of the king?”

“Turn it down,” said Brizich. “You’re not wanted.”

“Now that doesn’t make sense. If I’m not wanted, then no offer will be made,” said Road Toad in a thoughtful voice. “Am I right?”

“Enough talk,” said Brizich, reaching for his sword. “You had your chance. You and your fledgling mercenary are about to fall victim to some ruffians who robbed and tossed you over the cliff.”

My sword cleared its sheath at the same time as Road Toad’s and the eight men around us. I planned to feint a charge as the men near the stairs closed, hoping one or more would slip. After all I’d survived, to be killed by one of the king’s own men.

A man’s bold voice from along the fence stopped everyone in their tracks when he asked, “Did I hear that a robbery is about to take place?” A soldier with a spear walked past the circle of men and stood next to Road Toad. It was the guard from the tunnel with the scar on his chin. “Things like that shouldn’t happen on my watch.”

Brizich said, “Your watch is long over. This is none of your business.”

“Brother,” said the guard to Road Toad, “are you in need of assistance?”

“It would appear so,” answered Road Toad.

“One more won’t matter,” said Colonel Brizich, raising his sword.

“Are you sure there is only one?” asked the guard. When he did, seven sailors with clubs and daggers leapt up the stairs and onto the platform. The four surprised swordsmen who’d taken the stairs turned to face them. Even in the night rain, I recognized three of sailors from the One-Eyed Pelican.

“How many friends have we?” asked the guardsman.

One of the sailors answered, “Six of me friends fer now. Ten more inna minute’er two.”

“Guardsman,” said Brizich, “you’ve stepped into something that is none of your business. I have many friends. You’ll live to regret this, but not long.” He lowered his sword. “Things happen in war, and your brother won’t be around to look after you.”

The guardsman laughed, which surprised me, and Brizich too, as he cocked his head at the guffaw.

“Colonel Brizich,” the guardsman said, tipping his spear toward him, “one more moment of your time before you tie some unbreakable oath to your threat. In addition to many friends, you have a wife and five children.” The guard stood up straight. “Let it be known, I have many low friends in even lower places.

“One of your sons serves aboard the Evanescent Thunder. Your wife enjoys carriage rides among the pines. Your youngest son has apprenticed to Groxel the Enchanter.” He paused before adding, “Things could happen, when you’re at war and not around to protect them.”

“You would kill innocent women and children?” Brizich asked in a low, accusing voice.

As much as I was happy to see the veteran guard, what he threatened felt wrong to me. But I was in no greater position to influence his actions than I was Colonel Brizich’s.

“I would not,” said the guard. “But my low friends might if something questionable should befall me. Or my longstanding military career should encounter an unwarranted setback.”

The colonel and the guard stared at each other through the rain. Road Toad stood beside him, while I, the sailors, and the men loyal to the colonel waited to see what would happen. I adjusted my grip on my sword. Despite the rain, I wanted to be ready.

“Jadd,” growled Colonel Brizich, “I’m not sure what god you pray to, but he favors you this night. Nevertheless, if you’re wise, you’ll decline any offered position as a serpent cavalryman, or any other commission.” He signaled to his men who followed him toward the distant maze of buildings.

We all sheathed our weapons. The sailors gathered around us, chuckling and jeering the retreating colonel and his men.

Road Toad extended his hand to the guardsman. “Road Toad,” he said. “And this is Flank Hawk.”

The guard shook Road Toad’s hand. “Corporal Drux,” he said. Then he shook my hand. “It is late. I am wet and cold.”

“Thanks, gentlemen,” said Road Toad to all the men. “We were in a tight spot.”

“You’d have done the same for me,” said Corporal Drux.

“That I would have,” said Road Toad. He pulled a handful of coins from his pouch. “Your friends deserve a good drink and meal for venturing out in this wet night on my behalf. I’d be honored if you’d see to it for me.”

“Consider it done,” said Corporal Drux, supported by the sailors’ jovial agreement. “Until we meet again, Brother and Mercenary Flank Hawk.” He said to the sailors, “You know the rules. The south stairs.”

Before I knew it they were gone, and Road Toad slapped me on the shoulder, his hand smacking water off the waxed cloth. “Let’s go,” he said, “to those dry beds you mentioned earlier.”

“They’ll feel good, but after what just happened, I don’t know if I’ll sleep too easily.” As we walked I asked Road Toad, “Why did he call you Brother?”

Road Toad held up his hand, showing me his tattoo of the fox jumping over a rising sun. I’d seen it so often that I didn’t think about it, or actually have to clearly see it in the darkness.

“He has one too? Like you and the prince?”

Road Toad nodded.

I thought back to earlier in the day. “You didn’t show him your hand when we met. How did you know?”

“I knew, as did he,” said Road Toad, half teasing, but not willing to say any more on the subject.

After a minute I asked, “How did he know you were in trouble?”

“That, I don’t know.” Then he bumped his shoulder into me as we walked. “But I’m sure glad he did, aren’t you?”

I bumped him back. “What kind of question is that?” We laughed. “What I would like to know,” I said, “is if you could help me find a competent enchanter?”

“Short Two Blades’ Talisman?” he asked. “I’ve been wondering about that too.”

2,873 Years before the Reign of King Tobias of Keesee

A battery of six interceptor rockets from silos at Fort Greely in Alaska and four more from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base raced skyward. An experimental tracking and intercept aircraft from the Vandenberg base was already aloft. While it strained for altitude, airmen activated its advanced tracking and targeting systems, and prepared its powerful laser should any warheads survive the kill vehicles housed in the interceptor rockets.

I awoke from a troubled sleep. The carnage of past battles from my dreams faded as I peeled away the sweat-filled sheets of the goose feather bed. The oil lamp had burned out and darkness filled the room, except for the pale lines of torchlight from the hallway that penetrated fissures where the door didn’t meet its frame.

I wasn’t alone.

Road Toad wouldn’t be here in the dark. But one of Colonel Brizich’s men, an assassin would!

I listened, assessing the situation. Thanks to Prince Reveron’s influence, my spear leaned against the wall within easy reach. Guzzy’s dirk was under my pillow. Someone was near the desk across the room.

“Be at ease, Flank Hawk,” came Imperial Seer Lochelle’s familiar whispered voice—one I’d never forget. “I was loathe to disturb your dream, Flank Hawk. Dreams are how we confront the turmoil of our lives. We either integrate them and move forward, or descend into denial and dismay.”

I sat up, my feet touching the cold stone floor reaffirmed that I wasn’t still dreaming. “Which will I do?” I asked. Those weren’t the words I’d intended, but they were the first across my tongue.

“You have inner strength, Flank Hawk.” Rustling of the imperial seer’s robes and the stool’s subtle creak announced she’d stood up. “I’m not the only one to sense it in you.”

I strained to see through the darkness. “You know what I am,” I whispered. “What I hide.”

“There is that,” she agreed.

“Why are you here?” I almost added, “In the dark,” but I recalled her sightless eyes. I wondered if her seer powers in some way provided vision. An uncontrollable shiver shot down my neck and spine.

Imperial Seer Lochelle began walking toward me and I stood. Her eyes flared, settling into a glow like coals in a campfire, but white. “Already, you have influential friends.” I didn’t feel the raw magical energy I had in her chamber. Her voice had grown from a whisper. It wasn’t volume but the power that resonated in her voice. “With them come enemies, both near and far that will turn their eye upon you.”

She stopped in front of me and stared into my eyes. “I see your river forking many times. Support to be found at crossroads and in the dark.” She placed her hand on my chest, pressing the bead of Short Two Blades’ talisman into my breastbone. “This one remains to be called, and repay a debt.” Her tone became harsh. “Severings, death, burdens to grind you into the earth await.”

“Which forks? Do I have a choice?” I asked. “Whose death?”

She paused. Her eyes flared again and dimmed. “I cannot see. There are forces, powers beyond me involved.”

I fell back, sitting on my bed. Powerful forces, beyond the king’s seer? An imperial seer? I looked up and asked, “Who am I? Why me?”

“You, Krish, son of Thurmond, are but a pawn in the broad game set upon the land.”

I’d watched men play chess in the cooper’s workshop. Pawns are sacrificed. “Am I to die? Is that what you meant by death? You came here to warn me?”

“No, I came to tell you of your talisman, and that there is hope.” The glow disappeared from her eyes. “Break the bead and place the blood on your tongue. Name the one who gave it to you and he will heed your call.”

I nodded, wondering if it was a useless gesture. “Is my family alive?”

“It is for them you fight,” she answered and walked toward the door.

I stood to follow. “So they are?”