“I see you haven't worked with royals before.”
“I have not.”
“It's simple. As a class, they’re greedy. They think they have a right to rule, and if someone has something they want, they take it.”
“Why use that idiot Lermont as their figurehead?”
“Precisely because he is an idiot, and very greedy. It also helped that Lermont hated his family.” While he talked, I concentrated on the guise ring to make the disguise more real.
“True. But why kill all the magic users — that seems counterproductive to me.” This was the information I really wanted. Who ordered the murder of my family and the rest of the magic users?
“Fear won out over usefulness. King Starwick worried that mages would take back the kingdom, and if they found out he was behind the coupe, they would come for him.”
“That part he got correct,” I said, sticking a poison dart into his neck, figuring a quick and painless death was a mercy.
* * *
I put on the guise of Sir Rodrick and returned to his ship. Have you resupplied?” I asked the captain.
“We have.”
I leaned against the rail, feigning being dizzy. “Set a course for Split Rock cove, and yes, it's usable now. Leave as soon as you are ready and have someone help me to my cabin.”
“Yes, Sir Rodrick. You! Help Sir Rodrick to his cabin.” I was taken down to a cabin to “rest” and the ship sailed within the hour for Split Rock. I searched the cabin and read all of Rodrick's papers, finding there was not a lot of new information there. My guess was the captain had no idea what Rodrick’s mission was, but was simply tasked with getting him from one place to another.
I noticed a cup with tea leaves in it, so Rodrick must have drunk tea. While searching his clothes trunk I found some gold in the false bottom and added it to mine. A cabin boy came by to inquire of my needs. I told him to bring me tea. When he returned, I told him I was still not well and would not be taking the evening meal.
Once everyone had settled for the night, and I was fairly sure no one would come to my cabin, I went out in Shadow and searched the ship, counting the crew and checking the holds. I found no surprises but did find a strongbox of gold in the secured area of the hold. I left the gold for now.
I kept to myself for the few days it took to reach Split Rock. When I did come on deck for fresh air, everyone stayed away from me, fearing a sickness.
When we arrived at the cove, I ordered the captain stay well offshore, and a longboat took me into the harbor. “Once I am ashore,” I ordered the sailors to “go back to the ship. I'll signal when I'm ready to return.”
As soon as they were away, I dropped my guise and headed for the keep. I was met by a Rollings roving patrol, who recognized me but escorted me in none the less. I was taken to King Aric in the keep's hall.
“Welcome back,” Aric said.
Bowing, I said, “Thank you, sire.”
Once we were alone, he said, “we received the supply shipment you sent, good thinking, that! So, tell me of your adventures.” He poured us wine and offered me a seat.
“I'll start with the most important,” I said opening the satchel. “It seems your uncle is behind the coupe and is working to place Lermont on the throne.” I handed him the letter and the papers from Rodrick's cabin. I waited for him to read through everything and gather his thoughts.
“Tell me everything,” he said.
I told him what had happened and everything I had learned. He listened intently, asking few questions. As I talked, he paced, back and forth in front of the fireplace. Once I finished, he stood staring into the fire, saying nothing.
“So much for family!” he finally said.
“My father used to say, family would cheat you quicker than anyone else would,” I answered. Aric didn't say anything but nodded.
“I'm guessing since you took the guise of Sir Rodrick, and brought his ship here, you have a plan?”
“The beginnings of one. I think that since King Starwick killed our families and stole our kingdom, we should return the favor. I plan to travel to Redmoore as Sir Rodrick, then proceed to wreak as much havoc as I can on your uncle and his kingdom. I'll use his treasury to hire mercenaries to harass his army and outlying estates. I'll keep him so busy there, he won't have time to worry about you. While I'm doing that, you could take care of Lermont.”
He sat down thinking as I poured us more wine and waited.
“I see advantages in both you staying, and you going. But I think our biggest advantage will be in you going. But I warn you that my uncle is a fox, as well as a snake. He trusts no one, and his wife Stephane and son Zell are no better.”
“What are their talents?” I asked.
“Starwick's is fire manipulation, Stephane's is water manipulation, I'm not sure about Zell's.
“OK. Let's go to the treasury since I need to unload the gold and gems from the capital into your vault before I go.”
“How long do you plan to be gone?”
“I'm not sure, maybe six months, depending on what I find in Redmoore.”
“Take your time, don't risk yourself.”
“I won't.”
I was back on the ship before midnight and we sailed for the kingdom of Redmoore on the tide.
* * *
I could not spend the whole voyage in my cabin, so I spent time on deck and slowly began interacting with the captain and first officer. I needed to gauge how much they knew about the late Sir Rodrick. Apparently, Rodrick had kept to himself. I ate evening meals at the captain's table and I was expected to take part in the conversation.
“You concluded your business in Farshores quicker than expected,” the captain said.
I nodded. “I did. This trip was just to deliver instructions, get reports, and gather information.”
“Will we put troops in Farshores, do you think?” asked the first officer.
“Who can say? That will be the king's decision. The mood of the common man has changed little, they just want their daily pay and daily bread. They are, however, wary and are watching to see which way the winds will blow.”
I changed the topic of discussion, “What do you think of Redmoore's economy? Are our people content?” That slowed the conversation, since they didn't want to say anything that might get back to the king and be thought of as subversive.
“The common man seems to be getting on well enough,” the captain said.
“I think,” the first mate started, “that men are much the same everywhere. Most men want a simple daily life, for themselves and their family. Daily pay and daily bread sufficing, not thinking beyond that. Then there are those who think longer term. Next week, next month, next season.
“Fewer still, maybe merchants, moneylenders, and the rich think of next year, five years, ten years. Only a very few, royal families for sure, plan for all those, and generationally.”
The captain and I stared at him. I lifted my glass, “well said, sir. And in which group of thinkers do you count yourself?”
He thought a moment considering, “I'm not there yet, but I'm planning in terms of years. To some, greed is their motivation for riches, to me money is a tool to be used to better oneself. I hope to retire with more than gray hair.” he said smiling.
“Wise,” I said, “and good fortune to you.” He raised his glass in return. When dinner was, I called for an early night, and departed. Once outside, I went into shadow and went back to listen to the captain and first mate.
“Be careful of what you say to Sir Rodrick. He is the king's spy and deals in information. You never know how a seemingly ordinary conversation might be taken,” the captain said.
“Yes, captain, I shall.”
The rest of the voyage was boring in comparison… or whatever one step below boring is.
***
We made port in late afternoon, and a carriage was waiting for me. The captain and first mate said their farewells, and I was off. As the carriage was there for me
, I assumed the driver knew where Sir Rodrick lived. “Take me home,” I said.
“Yes, m'lord,” came the reply, and we pulled away. I looked at the city as we went. Here, like Farshores, the dock area was a rough looking neighborhood. The farther we drove the better the city looked.
The carriage stopped in front of a modest, walled home. I was expecting more for some reason. A footman opened the door as the carnage stopped, “welcome home, m'lord” he said. I didn't believe Rodrick would be overly familiar with his servant, so I nodded and continued into the house.
I was met by who I assumed was the major-domo. “Have a meal prepared for me, and I'll eat when it's ready,” I said, continuing up the stairs to, what I hoped was Rodrick's room.
“Yes, sir,” Came the answer from behind me.
Chapter 14
After eating my dinner, I searched Rodrick’s office, reading through what had come while he was gone. The Shadows told me someone was approaching the door, and without knocking he entered. He walked straight to my desk and pulled up his sleeve, showing me his assassin's guild tattoo. “The master asks for a meeting.”
I nodded, “first thing in the morning, a lot has happened. We have a lot to discuss.” He nodded and left, so I quickly went into Shadow, catching up with him … I didn't want to risk losing him. He went through several maneuvers to make sure he wasn’t being followed, and finally arrived at the assassin's guild house.
He stopped outside a door and knocked. I changed Shadows and went in behind him. He bowed to the masters, “Sir Rodrick says he will meet you in the morning. He said a lot has happened, and he has much to discuss.” The master nodded and the assassin bowed and left.
I waited to make sure he was gone then moved behind the master, then launched and retracted my spear from his back, killing him. He never made a sound, I searched him, and his office, taking valuables.
I moved to the top floor, killing assassins where I found them. I stopped searching them, just moved on killing the next one I found. I shot mage arrows through some, stabbed some, and speared others. That made it look like more than one person had attacked the guild house.
I left them lying where the fell, thinking that would cause more confusion. I stopped counting after the first 20.
I searched and found the guild's treasury vault; and saw they were doing quite well. I loaded everything on to my sheet in Shadow, folded it and put it into my pack. This would help finance mercenaries to start my war on Redmoore.
I stayed the night, sleeping in Shadow, waiting for anyone I may have missed. I only netted two more, though I was sure there were more out in the city.
I went back to Rodrick's house, cleaned out his vault, and desk, figuring I'd leave a mystery there as well. I took a bed into Shadow and slept until midmorning. Then I left the house not expecting to return.
* * *
I ate a large breakfast at an inn. I was hungry, and I could well afford it. No one knew me here, so I was free to move about... so far. As I ate, I considered that I had not planned to attack the assassin's guild so soon, but the opportunity presented itself, so I took advantage of it.
I needed to go to the royal treasury and empty it before news of the guild killings and his spy disappearing became known. I'm sure the king would connect the two events and become wary.
Once I had the king's gold, I'd start the rumors, I thought, then let him chase his tail a while before turning up the heat. I also needed to learn who his enemies were and get them into the act.
My biggest advantage was working literally from the Shadows. No one knew me, so I didn't exist. I figured that I'd just let him and his enemies fight it out. That would keep both sides occupied, taking everyone's mind off Farshores.
In Shadow I moved around the market district listening, getting the feel of the people, gauging their mood. I noticed they were fine when the city watch walked by, but not when royal soldiers came around. I sat in Shadow in a tavern eating lunch, listening to workers grumble. It was the same everywhere, low pay, high taxes, living under a crooked upper class.
I scouted the palace, and its defenses. The palace was well guarded, and in good repair. I found a quiet Shadow to rest in. I put my hand on the earth and lost myself in its peacefulness. The earth showed me the palace's weaknesses, and where I could exploit them.
I floated in that peace, resting until late in the night, then moved toward the treasury vault in Shadow. There were guards at the doors before the last hallway, but none in the last hallway or at the vault doors. I sat studying the hallway, and sensed there was magic there. I could feel it. I put my hand on the earth and it warned me of danger. I carefully moved forward, ready to run if needed. I didn't think anything could reach me in Shadow, but I was not sure.
When I reached the halfway point, thick thorned vines erupted from the floor writhing and grasping. They sensed me but could not touch me. they groped trying to grab whatever it was they sensed. Unable to feel anything they withdrew back into the ground. This happened twice more before I reached the vault and went under the door.
There were large sunflower like plants in the corners of the room, blooming despite the lack of sunlight. I was sure they weren't here for show. I jumped into one's Shadow, and into Shadow form. I cut the flower stalk off at the ground, letting it fall. When it fell the three others spit dart-like thorns at it. I was still safe in Shadow. I cut the other stalks letting them fall, getting the same reaction every time.
I magicked a small flame on the floor, putting the room in shadow then laid out my sheet and stripped the treasury bare. I took everything — gold, silver, copper, jewelry, gems, magic artifacts, mage books. I put out my flame and left. The vines in the hall reacted the same way to my passing.
I found the castle’s siege supply rooms and put all the supplies in shadow, meaning that as far as the defenders were concerned the rooms were empty. By this time I was tired … loading all that plunder was hard work! I found a quiet Shadow well away from people and lay down to sleep.
* * *
There was a mage quarter here, but I stayed away from it for now. I needed to blend in and gather more information. I went to a rock quarry, curious to see how they operated here. It was much the same as we did at home. If a new workman came from the country seeking work, no one would think it strange if he asked questions.
As soon as night fell, and shops closed, I went to a used clothes shop, found some rough work clothes, a belt, belt knife, and a floppy hat that would suit my needs. I took a couple of used blankets, and groundsheet, making a travel roll of them, figuring I needed to look the part. There were some shoes here, but not what I needed, so I went to a cobbler’s shop and found a used pair that fit well enough.
I went back to the quarry, found an out of the way place, and made camp in Shadow, changing into my workman’s clothes and shoes. Then I went down into the quarry to look at the work they were doing.
It was the same work we did at home, but I had never actually cut stone. I needed to practice, so I concentrated on what I wanted to do, then began cutting stone blocks of different sizes and shapes. It came easy to me, I guess all the times I had watched my bothers and father work the stone had stuck in my mind.
Once I was satisfied I could do the work I left for the night.
I was up early, ate breakfast, and was waiting at the manager's shack when he arrived. He looked me over as he approached. “We don't need any laborers … check the docks, you might find something there.”
I removed my hat, “beg pardon sir, but I'm not a laborer, I'm a cutter.”
He frowned, “You're a stonecutter?”
“Yes, sir.” He opened his shack as I spoke. “Worked me da's farm, built our house and barn, and a few others around us. Da passed, didn't want to farm. Came looking for work cutting stone.”
“So, you've done rough work then?”
I nodded, “That was all the farms required, sir.”
“Follow me,” he took me to the same place I had pr
acticed the night before. He pointed to stores I had cut. “Cut a stone like that one.” I tried not to smile; it was one of my stones. While he watched, I cut a stone the exact same size and shape.
He nodded, “I pay by the piece, the more you cut, the more you make, mind you, don't rush. I want clean work, understand?”
“I do, sir.”
“I'll put you with Albert, we'll see how you work out. I pay by the week, not the day.” I nodded.
Al, as everyone called him, was a man of middling years that hummed while he worked. “No need to rush, lad, just work steady. You'll make as much coin as those who rush, and you'll not be as tired doing the same job.” I nodded and matched him stone for stone.
“Some don't like working with me, they say my humming makes them crazy.”
“What humming?” I asked, smiling.
He chuckled. “Matt said you came from a farm, what did you grow?”
I shook my head, “Mostly rocks, the place never made much, put me da into a grave before his time. I didn't want the same to happen to me, so here I am.”
Al nodded, “the same can happen here, that's why I work steady. By week's end I'll have the same tally as those who have rushed, wearing themselves out. I've been doing this for almost 20 years, and I still make my tally.”
Al talked as we worked, it passed the time, and I learned a lot about what was happening among regular people. Al took me under his wing, thinking me a simple country lad. He told me who and where to stay away from, and who the troublemakers were.
“I've heard that since stonecutters were mages, or at least had some mage talent, they lived in the mage quarter of the city.” I said.
“Aye, you could if you were rich enough, but mage talent alone doesn't mean you get to live up there. You still need money.” He looked around, “and to be honest, it's safer not living up there. The king doesn’t trust us mages, even though he is one. They say he jealous of us and fears we may try to take his throne.”
By the end of the day, I was tired and hungry. I had used a lot of magic, I needed food, and rest. At Al’s recommendation I ate at the local inn, which was more tavern than inn although everyone called it the Quarry Inn. The food was good, but nothing fancy, and they gave you plenty for the price. A lot of the men from the quarry, as well as laborers from other jobs, ate there.
Stonecutter's Shadow: A young mage's fight through a fantasy kingdom full of treachery Page 13
