The Darkslayer: Book 02 - Blades in the Night (34 page)

Evening had settled and the City of Three stayed particularly dark in the moons’ shadows from the mountains, but there was warm inviting light everywhere, inside and out, it seemed. The Magi Roost’s décor seemed a good reflection of the owner, Kam the mage. Blazing fires, ample torches, and candlelit chandeliers were warm and inviting for all comers and goers from abroad.

The rough voices of battle-tested dwarves spoke of grim adventures to the sophisticated and common folk as well. In the background, Venir heard music from a dysfunctional band of string and percussion players with long locks of braided hair. The hands of halflings and humans strummed and snapped their instruments with passion and fire.

Mugs and goblets of ale, mead, and wine sloshed about and the patrons indulged themselves in conversations inappropriate for fair ears, but not all. Kam provided specialties from all over world, drawing strangers in every night. She told Venir she liked that. He liked it too. Unlike Bone, the seedy elements of desperation and need were not so prevalent, but they were there the same, just not as easy for the common eye to detect. He could see them, though.

The City of Three’s ruling Royals had a different philosophy of governing things. They didn’t isolate themselves within their majestic and fortified castle walls in full, but instead they openly mingled with the citizens, but to a limited degree. Some Royals even opted to live among the commoners, as it was considered goodwill by the people, when in fact it was merely a very subtle way of keeping an eye on things.

Kam, the vibrant tavern owner, was one of those Royals, and she had chosen a path that wasn’t well accepted within her house, but tolerated nonetheless. Venir liked to hear stories about her bickering siblings and how she found the life of formality and luxury boring and pathetic. She had once told him about how she took on the endeavor of the Magi Roost. It was also where he’d met her for the very first time. He was incorrigible and charming but he could never get her to admit it.

Venir took his place at a table between a stone fireplace and a large window opening that gave full view of the active streets. He enjoyed the peaceful setting as a buxom waitress with a plunging neckline leaned forward.

“
Can I get you something?” she asked, tossing her curly auburn hair.

He leaned back in his chair. “What did you have in mind?”

“
Drinks? Food? Whatever pleases you, big fella,” she said with a wink.

“
I’ll start with a decanter of mead and a plate of hot food—steak and eggs,” he said, winking back.

“
As you wish,” she replied.

As she walked away, Venir admired her round hips and firm legs swaying with her tight skirt. He shook his head. There were many women of the sort around and a man had to be careful which one he dangled with. The ways of the women in Three were not as straightforward as they were in Bone.

The City of Three wasn’t all that it appeared to be and he knew much of what he saw was less than reality. The use of magic was heavy but not apparent. Illusions were used to make things look better than they really were. It took a long time for Kam to get him to understand this.

Perceptions remained skewed as long-lasting spells were cast in efforts to keep up appearances. If they were forgetful, which sometimes they were, the walls and ornaments would quickly fade. Even their clothing would in some cases appear filthy and ragged, but in some instances the foul smell of a finely dressed gentleman would quickly give him away as something he did not appear to be.

The gorgeous women that strolled about were not as they appeared, either. They managed to apply the appropriate spells and cantrips to enhance their figures, hair, and clothes to the fullest. Usually in the morning, their glow was gone—and Venir himself had woken up to more than one surprise or two.

The food and beverages embellished the reality as well. Delicious and exotic drinks were salted and peppered with mystically tainted herbs and grains that made one drink more and more. The City of Three was not what it seemed, but not because they had something to hide, more so because they liked to keep things nice. It made for good order and kept lawlessness under control.

Venir had finished his savory meal and mead when Kam arrived. Unlike most of the women in the room, Kam was indeed everything she appeared to be. Her thick red hair was pulled back on the top of her head by a flat golden tiara. Her face was radiant, her skin soft and pale, and her beautiful green eyes twinkled from her teardrop face. Her small nose, high cheeks, and delicate features distinguished her as a Royal as well. She now wore a tight and revealing long-sleeved tunic of red silk with a short brown leather skirt beneath it. High brown suede boots came up to above her knees. Venir’s mouth began to water as she sat down across from him.

Her full red lips were pursed to speak when he blurted out, “Come to bed with me!”

Kam’s eyes widened as she blushed. All eyes were on him and her, it seemed. Keeping her chin up, she replied calmly in a polished, red-faced refined voice: “Listen, you lout, one more remark like that and you will be leaving. You haven’t seen me in years and all you can think to say is ‘Come to bed with me’?”

Venir felt ashamed—almost.

Her words came at him, accented, full and effective, as she continued: “You haven’t seen me in years and you don’t even ask how I have been, or have the sense to comment on my hair or my clothes or my tavern.” She paused.

Venir didn’t care. He could watch her talk all day.

She began pointing and said, “You just sit down, ogle my waitresses, ogle me, and then blurt out words like an ogre!”

She crossed her arms, blocking his view of her splendid chest and forcing his eyes to meet hers. The audience of listeners was waiting to see if he had anything to say. He did.

“
I am sorry, Kam,” he said, speaking polished and loudly. He wiped his mouth with his napkin and sat up straight. “You have a wonderful place here. The service is very, very pleasant to see, and the food and mead is just as savory. You look like a queen. That tiara really goes well with your hair. I really like your outfit. It is very exquisite and it is quite fetching on you as well. You are absolutely the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” He paused.

She looked around, then back at him.

“
Now will you come to bed with me?” he said.

Laughter erupted around them and the tension evaporated. Kam just smiled then said above the crowd: “No!”

But her eyes told him maybe.

The people went back about their business and Kam got back on him.

“
Do you always have to strut in here and make an impression?”

“
I don’t mean to.”

“
Liar.”

“
Okay, maybe a little, but it’s harmless.”

“
For you maybe it’s harmless, but for me it’s costly.”

“
What do you mean?” he asked as he put her hand in his, rubbing it.

“
Oh … don’t act like you don’t remember the first time we met and you managed to run off some of my best patrons. They still talk about it, to my disdain, I might add.” She tried to pull her hand away, but he wouldn’t let her. “They always have to talk about the burly roughneck who came in here and trounced Fogle Boon. Every time, the story would get taller about that night. It’s taken me years to convince people that it never happened, but someone always comes in here and reminds everyone that it did. And now here you are?”

“
Who’s Fogle Boon?”

“
Don’t play stupid just because you look it, Venir. I know better.”

She scowled at him then snapped her fingers in the air. A waitress ran over with a lavender bottle of wine and half filled her goblet.

She sipped, then continued: “I mean, I had just been running the Magi Roost for a few months and you come strutting in her, all burly and big mouthed while making a complete fool of yourself. All the lowlife sorts saw nothing but a bull’s-eye for their amusement and profit. I tried to help, but for the life of me …” She smiled.” I couldn’t help but see something that I liked.”

He loved hearing about himself almost as much as he loved hearing her talk.

“
What happened then?”

She huffed and said, “Oh, geez, you are going to make me say it all again aren’t you … you big rogue?” She took another sip and licked her lips.

“
Yes! But you have to tell Lefty later. He will want to write it down. He’s my chronicler.”

Exasperated she replied, “What? The halfing is writing down your silly stories? You have to be kidding me. I can’t believe that. It’s ridiculous.”

Venir was motioning, wide-eyed, for her to continue as he took another big drink.

“
Don’t get carried away with that mead now,” Kam said. “I’m pretty sure she gave you the strong stuff. She’s tricky like that.”

“
It’s good … now on with it.”

He slapped the mug down on the table. The waitress filled his mug as well as his eyes. Kam glared at him, tapping her long black nails on the table. He shrugged.

She took a deep breath into her full chest, much to his delight, and began:

“
So I am heading down from my room to check up on things as the girls had sent for me. I don’t like seeing anyone, particularly travelers, getting hurt. The girls are telling me about this overbearing handsome hulk of a man that is a big as he is loud who is causing a commotion.”

She took another sip.

“
Naturally I had to see you for myself, and there you stood by the bar. Blond, handsome, smiling, and telling stories while trying to make friends with everyone in the room. Normally characters like you I don’t give a second thought, but there was something in your deep blue eyes and rumbling voice that made me curious, and I had to listen.

“
The tavern was packed and you bandied about a full half head taller than the rest, getting into unwilling people’s business. It drew the attention to the likes you had clearly never dealt with before and the contests were soon to be on.”

She stared into her goblet.

“
Don’t stop, please, Kam. I just don’t seem to remember the whole thing so well,” he said, faking a serious look.

“
And lucky for you, I do. Before it was too late, me and the girls tried to guide you out, but their magic cantrips and shocks of sorts didn’t seem to affect your mead-addled brain, which was a first. We all knew you were strong willed and were going to be hard to get rid of, but we never expected you be so …” She paused. “So … formidable.”

Venir smiled. Every city in the world of Bish had its own personality and the challenges and contests tended to reflect that. In the City of Three, the ruling Royal mages tended to keep things controlled by the force of will rather than the force of strength. The people used their minds to test each other and figure out one another as well. The people weren’t trying to hide anything, they weren’t secretive so to speak, and they were amiable overall, but it was just their way. Still, there were rogues and warriors of all sorts, and the mages were the worst of the lot.

The mages tended to rely on tiny spells called cantrips to get them through the day, whether it was for tying their shoes, dressing themselves, or even moving game pieces. They sat at ornate tables in parks and taverns playing games with colorful cards, boards, and even other people, but they usually didn’t touch anything.

There were still people sharper than the mages who had to use their hands to move pieces too, but usually the mages won in the games of strategy, but the games of will were different and the contest of wills through a cantrip was unique. Their challenge cantrip was a simple spell in which the minds were locked and a brutal combat of wills began.

Without touching, the contestants would lock eyes, making a natural connection, and try to overwhelm the other with sheer will power. The contest was quick and harmless for the most part, causing the loser to feel faint at best and, in the event of the most extreme cases, nosebleeds, fainting, and rarely death could occur. A fool that was overmatched could wind up with a migraine for days. But on the surface, not a bump or bruise was ever shown.

The mages could also set up the spell between non-mages as well. The contest in itself didn’t favor mages, either; it was a fair platform, but skill and the current mind-set did help, especially if one were confident or lacked it at the moment. Soldier or general, cut purse or freebooter, man or woman, dwarf or halfling … they all dabbled in it. All the walks of life from Bish were intoxicated by this contest and sometimes consumed. It was a gambler’s nightmare or dream, some would say, and Venir knew it to be true.

Kam kept going, her voice becoming more sultry with every word, drawing in more ears like a siren.

“
And there you stood, overlooking some tables where they were locked in the mind grumbles, asking what everyone was doing. And not long after that, every thief and cutthroat was coming after you like cats to milk.”

Venir filled her goblet again, all ears.
Sleep with me,
he chanted in his mind
. Sleep with me. Sleep with me.
But she kept on talking.

“
But your curiosity and pride were to be your detriment as you managed to annoy the night’s heavies who were used to ruling the Roost around here. I watched your confidence grow as you were being successfully set up for some small victories and quick coins when along came Fogle Boon.” She paused. “The Tormentor.”