Aiden leaned back in his chair to digest this information. He wasn’t about to give up, but Aiden had no idea how he was going to gain entry to a fallen underground city, let alone find anything of value within. “Thanks for your help, Dale,” he sighed. “You were invaluable.”
“Quite all right,” the old man muttered absently, shuffling back to his work. Aiden closed the book and stuffed it into his pack, then headed for the door, his head bowed in thought.
He barely noticed the rain as he walked through the flooded streets, meandering around the small town as he tried to think. His choices were quite clear: he could give up, and never find out what had really happened on that fateful day when he fell into the strange cave, or he could risk his life and quite possibly the lives of others looking for answers.
When Aiden returned to the inn around noon, he made his way through the throng of grumbling locals until he found Pacian eating a late breakfast at a table and joined him there. His friend’s blond hair had grown longer these last few months, and was now tied back in a small tail at the nape of his neck. His dark clothing was simple and comfortable.
“How did you finish up last night?” Aiden asked as he sat down.
“Wet,” Pacian answered as he finished a mouthful of toast without looking up. “Helped sandbag three houses against the water; didn’t get it done until well after sunset. I gotta say, I was expecting a little more glory and money when we left home. Instead, I’m up to my calves in mud half the bloody time.”
“You’re getting paid, aren’t you?”
“A pittance, sure,” Pacian scoffed. “Why are you making me do manual labor? You know how much I hate working for a living.”
“Well, in that case, I have good news and bad news,” Aiden answered, leaning in closer. “I found what I was looking for in that old book. I know where to go.”
Pacian stared back at Aiden with a glimmer of hope in his eyes. “It had something about that glass sphere you dropped?” he inquired.
“Not directly,” Aiden hedged, “but remember those arcane symbols I told you about? The ones glowing around the outside? I found another object with those marked upon it.”
“I never saw those,” Pacian reminded him.
“Just trust me, would you?” Aiden sighed. “This is important.”
“To you, maybe. I’m here because you told me we’d be making some money, and also I’m happy being away from home, even if I have to wade through muck every day.”
“I know that feeling,” Aiden agreed, recalling the final heated argument he’d had with his parents before leaving Coldstream, and knowing Pacian had experienced a similarly unpleasant departure. “Look, this clue leads to the north, so that’s where we’re heading next.”
“That might be more difficult than you think,” Pacian mumbled, his mouth full once more. “The gates have been locked for weeks now because of bandits or something. How do you figure we deal with them, or even get out of town, for that matter? These people have been trying to get back to their farms, but they can’t get past the guards. I think things are about to start getting ugly around here.”
“I’ll think of something,” Aiden muttered, leaning back in his chair.
Pacian didn’t appear to be listening; his wide green eyes were staring over his friend’s shoulder. Aiden turned and saw Nellise standing right behind him.
“I’m sorry to eavesdrop,” she announced after clearing her throat, “but I think we have a mutual problem that needs solving.”
Aiden exchanged a glance with Pacian, who pushed a chair away from the table with one foot, allowing her to join them.
Chapter Two
“Who’s your friend?” Nellise asked curiously, looking back at Pacian, who was still staring at her.
“Pacian Savidge, an old mate of mine,” Aiden answered, while Pacian tried not to choke on his food.
“You look to be about the same age,” Nellise observed. “Did you grow up together?”
“Yep,” Pacian answered, once his mouth was clear. “Someone had to keep an eye on Aiden, ’cause he’s one shifty character, always getting into trouble and whatnot.” He aimed one of his charming smiles straight at her, the kind he used on local girls to devastating effect.
“I have the distinct impression you are describing yourself, sir,” Nellise chided, evidently aware of Pacian’s intentions. He merely laughed, unashamed at being caught at his little game.
“I presume you want to leave town as well?” Aiden interjected before they strayed too far off topic.
“I’m sure everyone here wishes to leave, for different reasons,” Nellise pointed out as she folded her hands on the table before her. “My concern is for our supplies. I’ve asked around, and it seems things are far more dire than I thought. Something has to be done about it — today.”
“Perhaps we should have a talk with the mayor?” Aiden mused. “It seems like madness to keep the place shut for so long.”
Nellise nodded. “He is most definitely agitated about something, and refuses to listen to reason. I don’t have as much influence in this town as I’d like.”
Aiden raised an eyebrow. “Are you someone who would normally have influence?”
“In my home town of Culdeny, I help run the local church. I’m an acolyte with the Resolute Heralds chapter of the Church of Aielund,” Nellise explained.
“Oh, I see,” Aiden replied, slightly crestfallen, though not nearly as much as Pacian. He was fairly certain that priests took a vow of chastity, or something similar. It put an end to any pondering about courting the young lady.
“If things are as bad as you say, then we have to act,” he said conspiratorially. “Pacian and I need to head north, and the merchants have to get moving again.”
“I hear rumors amongst the locals that there are bandits preventing travel to the north,” Nellise reminded him. “If true, traveling north could result in facing armed and dangerous men.”
“Yeah we’ve heard, but we’re pretty sneaky,” Pacian said, with a wink at the lovely woman. “I’m sure we can find a way around them.”
“And then what?” Nellise pressed. “If the roads are still dangerous for merchants, the town is no better off.”
“I hope you’re not suggesting we fight them?” Aiden asked incredulously. “That’s for the town guards to deal with.”
“Not that we can’t handle ourselves, mind you,” Pacian added with a dash of bravado.
“Most of the town guards were recruited by the king when his army swept through town recently,” Nellise pointed out, “and those who are left appear quite young and inexperienced. But I have an idea.”
She turned and gestured to Colt, who still sat at the bar nearby. He glared at her curiously for a moment before heaving his bulk off the stool.
“What?” he asked rudely. Aiden knew where this was headed, and groaned pre-emptively.
“Won’t you join us, Colt?” Nellise offered, gesturing to an empty chair. “I might have some work for you.”
The big man seemed to consider this for a moment before accepting the invitation. “What’s the job?” he grunted, ignoring Aiden and Pacian completely.
“If I’m not mistaken, you are wearing the attire of a Royal Ranger,” Nellise remarked, indicating his mottled green and brown leathers, which Aiden understood to be sort of a uniform for the Rangers. Colt’s leathers looked as ragged and dishevelled as the man himself. “These two young gentlemen and I wish to travel north, and require an escort.”
“Wait, you want to come with us?” Aiden asked in surprise.
“I can hardly ask you to risk your lives if I’m not prepared to do the same,” she pointed out.
“Well, that’s very noble of you,” Aiden responded, with a measure of admiration, before turning back to address Colt. “I should point out that we don’t have money to pay you.”
“I’m not a bloody mercenary,” he growled back. “I work for the king, so keep your coins to yourself.”
�
��If you’re a soldier, why aren’t you with the king’s army along with the rest of them?” Pacian asked suspiciously.
“None of your business,” Colt grumbled with a spiteful glare. “It’s a moot point anyway, as that damn fool Olaf won’t let anyone in or out of town.”
“We’re going to see him about that,” Aiden warned, determined to find a way out.
“I went and spoke to him a few days ago myself. Told him I’d throttle the pompous bastard if he didn’t let me out of here.”
“The fact that you are still here leads me to think that you weren’t altogether successful,” Aiden observed dryly. Colt looked a little ashamed as he reluctantly nodded.
“He called the guards on me. Took a knock to the head from one of their billy-clubs and woke up in the local barracks.”
“Oh, Colt,” Nellise admonished, shaking her head. “Force isn’t going to work here. Olaf requires a delicate touch.”
“I propose we all go over there and calmly explain the situation to him, and how critical it is that the gates be opened once more,” Aiden suggested. “We won’t threaten him” — Colt gave him a sour look, but remained silent — “but we’re not going to leave until we get what we need.”
Tom ambled over from the bar with a plate of food, placing it on the table. “Cheers, mate,” Colt rumbled. “Look, getting out of town is one thing, but fighting a bunch of bandits is another.
“I mean, look at you — a couple of unbearded lads and a young lady who’s wearing the robes of a cloister acolyte. Have you ever even been in a fight before? Have you ever killed a man?”
Aiden and Nellise exchanged an uncertain look, but Pacian didn’t hesitate. “Yep, more than one,” he boasted with quiet confidence.
“Sure you have, killer,” Colt growled, “and underneath this rugged exterior I’m actually a petite redhead.”
“I—”
“Save it, I’m not impressed,” Colt interrupted. “I’ve fought bandits in the king’s forests for five years, and it’s nothin’ to joke about. Maybe you’re tellin’ the truth and maybe you ain’t, but your mate and Nellise are as green as they come.
“Don’t get me wrong; I hear you when you say the town’s in strife, but even with my help, we’d be hard pressed to clear them out. So, no, I’m not going along, because that’d just encourage you.”
“A potentially dangerous confrontation wouldn’t be my first choice,” Nellise answered delicately, “but somebody has to make it through to Culdeny to get help, and it seems to me we’re it. So, I’m going to try, which is more than I can say for you, sir.”
“Ouch,” Pacian chuckled as Colt’s expression darkened.
“You lot are lookin’ to break the blockade?” Tom interjected. “I used to do caravan escort work back in the day, though I’m too old for that sort of thing now.
“I’m glad someone’s thinking about steppin’ up, but I don’t think it’s any place for a lady or a couple of lads to go without someone of more experience helpin’ out, Colt. You’d be doing the town a big favor if you went along, mate.”
“What, so I’m a babysitter now?”
“I’ll clear your tab if you go,” Tom offered bluntly. Colt blinked in surprise and appeared to be giving the offer some serious thought.
When he abruptly left the table, Aiden thought he had rudely refused the offer, but then Colt reached down and purposefully picked up a large sword and a longbow wrapped in oilcloth from a dark corner next to the bar.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Tom chuckled.
“Let’s go,” Colt grunted, heading for the door without waiting to see if they’d follow. Aiden gave the innkeeper a grateful nod as he passed by, with Pacian and Nellise joining him as he hurried to catch up.
“Not a mercenary, huh?” Pacian pointedly asked Aiden as they headed outside.
A short walk through the muddy streets brought the small group to the mayor’s office, which appeared to be a converted two-story house. After stepping through the doorway, Aiden was impressed by the lavish furnishings within, including an elaborate candelabrum perched on a small polished table.
On the wall above a comfortable-looking sofa hung a painting of a strange desert landscape, along with other more mundane depictions of local scenery. The aroma of a hearty stew was in the air, almost covering more exotic smells coming from colorful woven carpets covering the floor.
Across the foyer, a pretty young lady with narrow lips and large brown eyes sat behind an oak desk, busily sorting through a pile of papers before her. Although it was unlikely she’d missed the entrance of four people, she nevertheless remained focused on the task before her.
“Pardon me, but we’d like to see the mayor, if he’s available,” Nellise asked politely, moving to stand before the desk.
“The mayor has only just risen for the day and isn’t ready to see visitors yet,” she informed them curtly. Although young, Aiden thought she had the potential to become the sort of irritating, obstructionist secretary that is some people’s aspiration.
“We can wait,” Nellise conceded, turning to the others with a shrug and indicating they should make themselves comfortable.
Pacian, appearing bored, exchanged a look of exaggerated suffering with Aiden before he walked past the secretary and into the room beyond. “Excuse me, you can’t go in there,” the young lady protested.
Colt laughed softly and followed Pacian in. Seeing his attempt to coerce the mayor with subtlety slip away, Aiden groaned inwardly and followed them, with Nellise right behind him.
Stepping into the dining room, Aiden saw his friend standing before a middle-aged man of means, wearing expensive clothing and sporting a carefully-groomed gray mustache. He sat at a fine table near a blazing fireplace, holding a spoon in one hand, with a bowl of untouched stew before him. His gaunt appearance told Aiden that he hadn’t been eating properly for some time now.
“Are you the mayor?” Pacian asked shortly.
“I am indeed,” he replied gruffly, startled at their appearance. “Who in blazes are you?”
“I tried to stop them, sir,” the lady called from the entrance to the room, having chased them in.
“Yes, thank you Miss Spencer, top job there,” the mayor answered scathingly. “Honestly, you’re hardly a worthy replacement for your predecessor.”
“I’m doing my best, sir,” she plaintively assured him before scurrying back to her desk, out of sight of her angry boss.
“One cannot find good help these days,” Olaf muttered. “Now, what is it you want? I’m terribly busy.”
“You look like you’re well set up with food, but your citizens are a few days away from starving,” Pacian informed him. “If they knew about the food you’ve got here, I’m sure they’d find that very interesting.”
Despite his initial shock at the abrupt introduction, the mayor quickly recovered. “I thought I said I never wanted to see you in here again, Mister Colt,” he warned, noticing the burly man looming in the background.
“Relax Olaf, I’m not here to threaten you,” Colt grunted.
“Is this impertinent rapscallion an acquaintance of yours?”
“We only just met him, Your Honor,” Nellise protested, raising an eyebrow at Pacian.
“I see. So, you want me to throw open the gates? I’m sorry, but it’s out of the question. The town is sealed for our protection. I assure you, it is simply far too dangerous to allow anyone to travel outside the walls at this time. Thank you.” The last was delivered with a note of finality.
“If we can’t leave today, this town is going to go hungry,” Aiden pointed out. “Hungry people do desperate things.”
“I am not insensitive to the plight of the townsfolk, but until we receive reinforcements, I will not let anyone’s life be at risk,” the mayor muttered with weak conviction.
“I see,” Aiden remarked, not really seeing anything. “Well, we’re just seeking permission to leave via the northern gate to Culdeny, so —”
&nbs
p; “The north road? Good heavens no,” the mayor interrupted, standing up quickly. “There are bandits to the north, sir, and word has reached me here that savage tribesmen are gathering to the east.”
“Olaf, why didn’t you mention things were this dire before?” Nellise quietly asked.
“To be blunt, my dear Nellise, this was none of your concern,” Olaf explained. “When His Majesty swept through here months ago, I protested at the quantity of soldiers he requested, but my words fell on deaf ears.
“I’ve had to cut back on patrolling the highway, and the result was predictable — lawlessness and brigandry. I’ve had to bolster their ranks with raw recruits, local young men and women with no more than a day or two of training, and it would be foolhardy to send them into danger.”
“Olaf, have you tried sending someone south to Fort Highmarch?” Nellise pressed.
“I have sent several messengers, and a number of the more experienced town guard, over the past week, both to the fort and north to Culdeny,” came the terse reply. “Of those I sent, only two returned alive, and they informed me that the fort is shuttered to all traffic and did not permit them entry. Nobody returned from the North.
“Wild animals plague the southern road, driven to extremes by hunger, and doubtless bandits have encroached the way to Culdeny.” The mayor paused and looked around at his guests. “Perhaps now you understand our predicament a little better?”
“You are refusing to let your people wander outside the gates because of the danger,” Pacian observed, “but that’s our choice to make. If something happens to us, you’re not responsible.”
“Simple clothes, sparse equipment,” Olaf mumbled as he inspected each of them. “You hardly seem capable of dealing with any of the threats to this town. What makes you think you’ll fare better than trained soldiers?”
“It’s come to the point that we’re being endangered just sitting around town, slowly starving to death,” Aiden retorted. “If you don’t get supplies here soon, people are going to riot.”
The mayor turned pale at this warning, a sure sign Aiden had finally gotten through to the man. Olaf clasped his hands behind his back and stood before the crackling fireplace, lost in thought. When he finally turned to address them, his entire demeanor had changed.
Soldiers of Avarice Page 4
