Fire And Ice (Book 1) (32 page)

“I do not think so.  Apparently, he was here not long ago and left soon after, but he comes and goes without warning.”

              Coran glanced at Shirri just behind him to see how she was doing.  She was looking around her in confusion at the inhabitants.  Conflicting emotions appeared on her face.  It was probably difficult to feel pity for a people she had always hated.  He was reminded of his own readjustment in thinking when it came to Karands. 

             
He had trouble understanding why it was so bad.  His father told him a great deal about Karandi, that they were not as wealthy as the average Midian was true, but he never said it was this bad.  Was it because of Elthzidor?  Or was it already getting bad before he came.  He thought of Crecy and wondered.  What he had learned of the Karands when he was younger was that they had beautiful cities with flowing architecture, and the people dressed in rich, colorful clothing.  He had seen none of it so far, even Venusia was about the same as Arencia.  Neither city was exactly poor, but they were not like what he had been told.  Of course he had only traveled to the worst places, where conflicts had occurred.  Maybe other places were not so bad.  He could hope.

             
The streets twisted and turned so much that he lost track of the direction they were going.  The buildings were tall and the space between narrow so he had no indication of where the sun was located.  They reached an area where the streets widened a little and guards became more evident. 

             
“We must be careful here,” Miko warned him in a low voice.  He pointed to the slim opening of an alley that ran between two stone buildings on the other side of the small square.  “We go down there.”

             
Most of the Karands about didn’t seem to notice them beyond a casual glance, and those were wary.  As they neared the mouth of the alley their luck ran out.  Two men in a strange armor of overlapping scales called to them in heavily accented Karandi.  “Hold there!”  They eyed Coran as they came closer.  “I have not seen anyone like you before.”  The look took in his sword.  They were not as dark skinned as Karands, Coran was reminded more of Ithanians, except taller.  “The army could use another fighting man.”

             
“I am an honest merchant and he is my guard,” Miko put in quickly.  “After his service to me is done you may do with him as you wish.”  He tried to sound reasonable.  Coran didn’t think these men could be reasoned with.

             
“He will come with us.”  The man’s face was set.  “Now.”

             
These were people who were not used to being denied anything.  Talk was not going to get them out of this one.  The men before him reached for their swords, and Coran reacted quickly.  He drew his wide blade and struck instinctively.  The fight was short.  The two Makkurans lay motionless in growing pools of their own blood.  Coran looked quickly around the square for any more sources of danger, as did Miko.  Few of the Karands had stayed to watch, too afraid to be found near fighting.  Two Karandi guardsmen, in sleeveless, orange shirts, nodded in approval before disappearing themselves.  Just because they were being forced to fight for someone did not mean they liked them.

             
Coran felt a tugging on his sleeve, and he turned his head to see who was doing it.  Shirri was pulling at him.

             
“We must get out of here,” she pleaded.  He could see the urgency in her eyes, there was no hint of her former mocking.  He wondered if she actually cared about what happened to him.  No, she was worried because without him, she would have a more difficult time getting home.              

             
“She’s right,” Miko added and gestured towards the opening between two buildings.  “Come on.”

             
They followed the trader down the alley.  It was barely wide enough for the horses and they had to go single file with Coran bringing up the rear.  He kept watch for any signs of pursuit.  Miko moved quickly and turned down a connecting alley.  The tight passage smelled of garbage and other things that made him wrinkle his nose. 

             
They stopped abruptly, he almost ran into the rear of Shirri’s horse.  He could see a wooden door set into the wall on their left.  Miko knocked once and waited until the door opened.  A Karand in a sky blue
atiefa
stood in the doorway, and he ran his gaze over them before stepping back inside.  They followed Miko into the dim interior.  The horses became difficult when they encountered stairs leading down, but they eventually managed to coax the nervous animals inside. 

             
Coran found that the cellar they were in was large enough for them all and more.  A crack in the upper foundation let in a ray of light, but the primary illumination came from lanterns set on the straw and dirt floor.  Some boxes and a few barrels were stacked up against one wall and some rickety stairs ran up the opposite wall.  Most likely into whatever the building above them was.

             
The man who had opened the door frowned at Miko.  “You said a man and a woman.  You did not tell me he was Anagassi.”

             
Miko smiled at the man.  “That is because he isn’t.”

             
Coran took that as a cue.  He lowered the cloth that covered his face to reveal his identity.  The man gasped in surprise.              

             
“A Midian?”  Then his expression changed to worry as he rounded on Miko.  “Are you crazy?  Bringing a Midian here at a time like this?”

             
“Calm yourself Terk,” Miko told him.  “No one knows he is here.”

             
The man called Terk visibly took hold of himself.  “I am sorry.  These are dangerous times.  You are all welcome here.”  He attempted a smile to reassure them of his hospitality, but it only made him appear more nervous. 

             
“Is this the right time for talking?” Coran asked. 

             
Miko looked to Terk, who was the one who answered.  “What do you need to know?”

             
“Information.  I need to find out what Elthzidor is planning.  If possible I need to know the strength of his forces, here in Lornth and in the north.  I also need to know how many will help us if it comes to a fight.”  Coran knew he was asking a lot, but he didn’t have time for pleasantries.

             
Terk seemed taken aback by his directness.  “He knows what he wants and gets down to business,” he said to Miko, not unhappily.  “If getting trade contracts were so simple, I would have more time on my hands than I would know what to do with.  I need to speak with the others first.  After that I will have something for you.”  Terk ducked his head and left by way of the second set of steps.

             
When he left they automatically started to make themselves comfortable.  “We can unsaddle the horses.  Terk will bring some fodder for them when he has a chance,” Miko announced, sending them into motion.

             
Coran was glad to have something to do.  “Will he have any to spare if things are as bad as they appear?”

             
“He will.  He is a trader.  Traders always have extras hidden around for emergencies.”              

             
“Who did he mean when he said he had to speak with the others?”

             
“Friends, other traders, people who are not happy with the ways things are.  There definitely seems to be change in the air.  I remember Terk would never even think of questioning Sha’elt when he was younger.  Now he seems lost, confused,” Miko said sadly.  “I suppose losing faith in one’s god can do that to a man.”

             
Coran was quiet as Miko became lost in his own thoughts.  This must have been what that other fellow told them about, where Daes Shael Karands were considering if She’al might not be a better god.

             
Shirri dumped her mount’s saddle onto the floor.  “What now?”

             
“Now we must wait for Terk,” Miko told her as he placed his saddle down with more care than she had displayed.

              It was night by the time Terk returned.  The three of them had requisitioned some of the boxes to serve as chairs, and they sat with their backs against the brick walls of the cellar.  Terk pulled over a box for himself, then passed out an apple and fresh bread to each of them.  Coran bit into the apple gratefully.  The dried fruit they had eaten left much to be desired when compared to the real thing.  Shirri was attacking her food as well.  Miko took a bite of his bread, the apple he set aside for later.

             
Terk watched them eat as he spoke.  “Your needs may be difficult.  Some of the others may be hard to convince.”

             
Coran took a moment to swallow while he gathered his thoughts.  He didn’t want to offend a man who was helping them.  “Do you think it is in your best interest to side with Elthzidor or with Midia?”

“Must we make a choice, or should we stay out of it and wait to see who comes out on top?” Terk smirked questioningly in response.   
             

             
“You know you must.  If Midia falls, then Makkura’s rule here will not end.”

             
“If you are successful in defending Midia from attack, what will happen to us?  Will Elthzidor leave us then?”  Terk’s question was not quite filled with anger, but was one of overwhelming concern for his people.

             
What could he say to that?  Elthzidor would not leave here until he was driven out.  Coran couldn’t promise any help from Summerhall either.  For one reason he had no authority, and for another he didn’t know if the Alliance would be in any shape to send help even if they did win.  He decided to try the truth.  “I can’t promise anything, but if I can I will try and help you after Midia is safe.”

             
“If you have any doubts I will vouch for him,” Miko added.  “I have told you who his father is.”  He glanced at Coran then back to Terk.  “I have already placed my life in his hands.”

             
Terk pulled on his mustache, lost in thought.  They ate while they waited for him to decide.  Finally he looked at Coran.  “My people are oppressed.  Not just by this Elthzidor, but by the Zahrs as well.  They talk of war against She’al and Midia when people are starving.  Many of us want to change the way things are.  More of us than you might believe.  The people want change but they wouldn’t stand a chance if they tried by force, and force will be needed.  All we need is a leader, the right leader to tell us how to do it.”  He paused and cleared his throat.  “If you can, will you return and help us?”

             
Coran kept the wince from appearing on his face.  He was making far too many promises on this trip.  If he survived, he would be kept busy for a very long time keeping them.  Was it fate stepping in once again?  He made a promise to Ruan and he happened to free the man’s sister.  If that wasn’t a sign of fate he didn’t know what was.  Would this be the same?  All he really wanted was to go home.

             
“Yes, if I can, I will.”  Once again he had little choice if he wanted their help.

             
“Good,” Terk announced.  “I will bring you what information we can.  You must stay down here tonight and tomorrow.  They are searching the city for three outsiders.”  He gave them a knowing look.  “Something about finding two Makkuran corpses and a mysterious Anagassi who entered the city and now cannot be found.  After they are finished searching you can come upstairs for a short time.  I will take the horses and put them in my stable.  They might get confiscated, but they can’t stay here.”  He eyed Shirri’s clothing.  “I will bring you something that should fit you better.”

             
They thanked him politely before he left.  A little later Terk brought them blankets for sleeping, and led the horses away one at a time.  They laid the blankets out on the hard, dirt-packed floor.  Shirri put hers close to Coran’s.  Miko put out all the lamps but one.  As Coran laid on his back he watched the orangish light as it flickered across the ceiling planks.  He had to come up with some ideas on what to do here.  If there was some way to destroy that fleet he had to find it. 

             
“Coran?”  Shirri’s whisper came to him from a foot away.  She was leaning on one elbow, watching him intently.  Her dark hair hung down from her head, the ends touching the ground. 

             
“What?” he asked quietly, trying to sound agreeable.  He didn’t want to risk her temper.

             
“What is Summerhall like?  I have heard that the walls shine when the sunlight hits them.”  She sounded genuinely curious, and her tone lacked its usual bite.                

“They do.  The whole city does when the sun is out.  Some days it can be blinding,” he explained, glad to talk about something other than where they were. 

              “Did you grow up there?”

             
“Not exactly.  I lived in Tyelin until I was nine.  That is up near the Central Mountains.  Lots of sheep,” he smiled.