Kathir's Redemption (Book 6) (17 page)

“
And the other two with him?
”
Skemtun asked.

“
They
’
re his personal assistants. They
’
re mageborns too. The woman is named Issani, and the man is called Blias. I don
’
t know either of them very well,
”
Kathir admitted.
“
I work for the High Council, but they don
’
t introduce me to their inner circle.
”
There was an edge of bitterness in his voice that he couldn
’
t quite conceal. The Miklagard High Council was happy to use his services, but they never accepted him like an equal. Despite his hard work, Kathir was never appreciated; the slave marks on his cheeks made him inferior in their eyes.

Kathir returned his attention to carriages, watching as a second carriage stopped behind the first. Two figures descended from it. A man in his middle years stepped down into the dirt. He had a round belly and a short dark beard. He was dressed similarly to Komu, but his robes were heavier and had gold embroidery on the collar. 

“
That
’
s Councilor Delthen,
”
Kathir said.
“
He seems nice enough on the surface, but don
’
t let his pleasant demeanor fool you. It
’
s an act. When pushed, he can be downright nasty. He
’
s got a rotten temper when crossed.
”

Kathir watched a second figure jump down from the second carriage. The man was muscular, with a full head of jet-black hair. Unlike the other two men, he was dressed in a practical tunic and riding leathers, but the shine of silver jewelry made it clear that he had wealth.

“
That third man looks familiar,
”
Skemtun said.
“
Do you know him?
”

Kathir nodded.
“
That
’
s Druknor Theoric. If he
’
s come here, then he must have a good reason, and it probably has to do with money. He normally doesn
’
t travel far from his fortress. He prefers to just sit like a spider at the center of his web. He
’
s a slaver and smuggler.
”

Skemtun
’
s jaw dropped.
“
He
’
s a slaver? Then what
’
s he doing with Miklagard
’
s High Council?
”

Kathir shook his head.
“
Druknor is one of those talented politicians who knows how to keep his hands clean while still committing crimes. He hides his criminal activities behind various legitimate businesses. I don
’
t know why he
’
s here, but it
’
s bad news. He
’
s a vicious criminal
—
but no one can prove it.
”

Skemtun nodded, and they headed forward to join the small knot of people going to greet the High Council. The dragon riders moved forward first.

“
Welcome, Councilors,
”
said Sela, with a note of caution in her voice.
“
What a surprise to see you here.
”

Komu stared at Sela with a blank expression. Then one of his assistants leaned over and whispered in his ear.
“
Sela? Ah, yes! I remember you! Did I ever tell you about that time I fought in the war?
”

“
Please
…
allow me, Komu.
”
Councilor Delthen swept forward with an elegant bow. He took Sela
’
s hand and kissed it, as if he were greeting a princess.
“
Hello, Mistress Sela! It
’
s pleasing to see our esteemed allies, the dragon riders, here to help these poor dwarves. Miklagard has also heard of their plight and wishes to help.
”

Sela
’
s eyebrows rose.
“
I see,
”
she replied gravely, jerking her hand away.
“
We weren
’
t expecting Miklagard to send representatives here, much less actual members of the High Council.
”
Sela shot a scathing look in Druknor Theoric
’
s direction.
“
Why is he here?
”

Druknor
’
s expression darkened.

Councilor Delthen swept a hand in Druknor
’
s direction.
“
Druknor is our valuable ally, and he is here to observe the proceedings, and promote trade. I expect that he will be treated with all due courtesy.
”

“
Oh
…
I
’
ll give him every courtesy he
’
s due,
”
Sela said coldly. 

“
Lady Sela,
”
Druknor said with a frozen smile.
“
I hope I haven
’
t offended you in some way?
”

Sela stared at him with narrowed eyes. She knew the truth about Druknor, but she couldn
’
t prove anything against him, so she was forced to be diplomatic.

“
Druknor has been able to provide us with invaluable information on this region,
”
Councilor Delthen continued.
“
He has also helped us identify potential mageborn students for our training school. His network of contacts is enormous.
”

Druknor gave Sela a sickly-sweet smile.
“
I
’
m here to help. I have financial resources, and my fortress isn
’
t far from here. Besides, I
’
m a businessman, and this situation is rich with business opportunities. Wouldn
’
t you agree?
”

“
This isn
’
t a peddler
’
s market!
”
said Sela.
“
There
’
s a war going on. The greenskins have taken Mount Velik, and people are dying. Truly, this is not the time or place to discuss business affairs.
”

Druknor
’
s smile became a grimace.
“
My lady, please
…
we should be friends. Perhaps one day when this is done, you will come to Sut-Burr. I would love to welcome you there as an honored guest.
”

“
I would rather
—”
Sela started.

Councilor Delthen interrupted before Sela could finish.
“
Ah! Enough of this chitchat! We are all tired from our lengthy travels and wish to rest. Perhaps it is best if we finish this conversation inside?
”

Councilor Komu circled the group, looking a bit confused.
“
Now, now, let
’
s all get inside, shall we? It
’
s cold out here. Where can I get some tea?
”

“
Utan isn
’
t letting anyone in,
”
Skemtun said.

“
He isn
’
t letting any of
your
clan in, I
’
d imagine,
”
Councilor Delthen replied.
“
But we are not dwarves. We are the High Council of Miklagard, and we
’
ve never been denied entry into any allied stronghold.
”
Then Delthen smiled, but the smile did not reach his eyes.
“
However, friend, if you do not object, could I borrow your bodyguard for a moment, so we can speak in private?
”

Kathir stiffened, but said nothing.

“
Yes, yes, of course,
”
Skemtun replied, slightly surprised.
“
He
’
s your man after all, isn
’
t he?
”

Councilor Delthen ignored the question and simply replied,
“
Thank you. I appreciate it.
”
With a small frown, he fixed his eyes on Kathir, and waited for him to follow him.

Kathir nodded and led the delegation up to the mountain
’
s entrance. Delthen walked beside him and spoke quietly.

“
I want your report,
”
Delthen hissed.

“
I
’
ve protected Skemtun, as you ordered,
”
said Kathir.
“
There
’
ve been several attempts on his life.
”

“
What happened during the siege? Nobody was expecting Mount Velik to fall so quickly
—
if at all.
”

“
I tried to persuade them to strengthen their defenses, but it was too late by the time I arrived. The dwarves were unprepared, and the orcs greatly outnumbered them. King Nar was cleverer than anyone anticipated .The next thing I knew, we were fighting for our lives. I did what I could to evacuate the mountain and to escort the survivors safely here.
”

“
So the city is a complete loss?
”
said Delthen.

“
Yes,
”
he responded, sighing.
“
Mount Velik is gone.
”

“
What a disaster this is!
”
Delthen said.
“
How can we prevent the orcs from invading the rest of the continent? The greenskins are spreading like the plague, and you
’
ve done almost nothing to stop it.
”

“
I did the best I could, under the circumstances,
”
Kathir replied.
“
In these situations you have to be flexible.
”

The councilor stared him in the eye.
“
You may have saved a few dwarves, but that wasn
’
t your primary mission. We need to salvage this situation any way we can. The dwarf clans must reunite and take back Mount Velik; it
’
s the only solution! The Vardmiters have greater numbers
—
they might be strong enough to raise an army by themselves.
”

“
The clans aren
’
t ready for reunification. There
’
s too much animosity between them,
”
Kathir said.

“
I don
’
t care about that! The clans must agree to a treaty. If that means getting rid of Utan and Skemtun to make it happen, so be it! We cannot allow the orcs to spread any further. The dwarves must reclaim Mount Velik before next winter; otherwise the entire Northeast will be at risk of conquest by the greenskins!
”

Kathir didn
’
t respond. He didn
’
t see any hope of success in Delthen
’
s plan. Even if all the clans were to join together, they still couldn
’
t defeat the orcs in open combat.
“
I thought you wanted Skemtun to be the leader of the clans.
”

“
Our situation has changed,
”
Delthen said.
“
When the dwarves controlled Mount Velik, Skemtun was the best choice for the job. But if he can
’
t support our needs now, then the High Council must shift their support to a more
…
suitable leader.
”

“
You want me to start guarding Bolrakei instead of Skemtun?
”
Kathir asked incredulously.

“
No,
”
Councilor Delthen replied.
“
She
’
s not an appropriate choice, either. You shall continue to guard Skemtun, until we deem that it is more advantageous for you
not
to guard him. At some point, we
’
ll find someone to replace him. Do you understand?
”