by Garry Spoor
“You say one word of that, one word and so help me…. I know people, Alex, people who owe me a favor.”
“Yeah, like who.” Daniel laughed.
Kile thought for a moment, she didn’t really know anyone who owed her a favor.
“I know bears.” she shouted. “I know bears who owe me favors; and wolves. If you don’t want to be visited by a pack of my brothers and sister one night while walking home, you won’t continue with that story line.”
“She’s got you there.” Daniel replied.
“All right, fine,” Alex pouted.
“I’ll tell you want, Alex. I’ll tell you the whole story from when I got assigned to Perha Squad, and everything that happened, right up to the siege of Moran, but you have to do me a favor first.”
“Are you kidding? Anything,” Alex said, rushing to her beside.
“Fine, you have to get a hold of Emara for me. Tell her I have to see Morgan.”
“I don’t know Ki,” he replied nervously. “I mean, I want to help, but, the mystics have severed all contact with the outside world. They want to isolate themselves from the war. I’m not even supposed to be in contact with Emara.”
Daniel jumped to his feet. “Which means you are,” he shouted.
“I didn’t say that,” Alex replied defensively. “And you can’t prove it.”
Kile lay back on her pillow. “It’s a shame really,” she said. “I was going to tell you all about Burgora, the old grizzly bear who lives in the mountain, just outside of Coopervill, and how he helped me rescue Perha Squad from the valrik.”
“Really?” Daniel said, looking at Alex. “That would make a pretty good story.”
“But that’s not even the best part,” Kile replied. “We escaped on black-hoofed mountain deer.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll try to get in touch with Emara, but this better be a damn good story,” he said, storming out of the room.
***~~~***
21
Daniel knocked on Kile’s door, but there was no answer. He knocked again, and still, nothing. Slowly pushing it open, he peeked into the room. He learned the hard way it was not wise for him to just enter without being invited. Even the nonays learned that lesson. The last time he barged in on her, she gave him an earful about respecting her privacy, and then, later that very afternoon, a cat tried to trip him in the hallway. There were also those two dogs, which followed him through the streets of Forthbar on one of his supply runs. It could have been a coincidence, but he doubted it. They never got any closer, nor did they ever lose sight of him. He tried ditching them in the plaza, but they found him. They only gave up their pursuit when he crossed the bridge to the keep.
“Kile, you in here?” he asked the empty room just to be sure.
When he received no answer, he pushed the door open the rest of the way and stepped inside. The place was empty. It didn’t look as if anything was disturbed. Her bed was messy, but then her bed was always messy. The table, with its sole chair, sat beside an opened window. Her satchel lay discarded on top of it. Her boots, which were lying at the foot of the bed, where the only indications she didn’t just up and leave.
“Ki?” he called out, walking further into the room.
“Yes,” came the reply from outside the window.
This wouldn’t have been too unusually, if it wasn’t for the fact they were on the fourth floor.
Daniel ran to the window where he found her sitting on the ledge. One foot was upon the stone cap of a buttress, the other was dangling over the edge. A small bird was sitting on her knee. It gave him a curious expression before flying off.
“What do you want?” she asked.
“Kile, why don’t you come inside,” he said very slowly.
She turned to look at him. “I have no intention of jumping, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Then what are you doing out there?” he asked.
“Then you did think I was going to jump,” she shouted.
“No, of course not, I mean, think about it. Most People don’t sit outside their rooms, unless they have a balcony to sit on.”
Kile got to her feet, dusted herself off and walked along the ledge.
“I was talking to a friend, if you want to know,” she told him when she climbed through the window.
“You couldn’t do that from inside your room?”
“The air is better out there, and besides, it’s the best place to hide from those nonays you keep sending in here.”
“They are only doing their job, and you could make it easier for them if you just do what they say.”
“Oh please, they keep coming in here with their herbs and their potions, trying to find new ways to make me ill. I may be crazy, but I’m not sick. Do you know they woke me up last night to give me a sleeping tonic… a sleeping tonic? I was already asleep.”
“Fine, I’ll tell them to ease up a bit.” Daniel promised. “But that goes for you too.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“What do I mean?” he laughed. “Nonay Gardner’s sandwich was stolen by a rat yesterday.”
“Oh come on, Danny, you can’t blame that on me. Rats steal food, that’s how they survive.”
“She was eating it at the time.” he shouted. “It came right up onto the table and took it out of her hands. She needed a tonic after that. The poor woman was hysterical.”
Kile laughed.
“It’s not funny.” Daniel said, trying to keep a straight face. “And what about poor nonay Caldwell?”
“What about her?”
“Well, let’s just say, those birds were not very nice. She’s been scrubbing her hair all morning.”
“Hey, I didn’t tell anyone to do anything,” Kile replied, defensively.
“Oh, I know you didn’t, but I’m sure it didn’t stop you from suggesting some things.”
“Well, can you blame me? I’m going stir-crazy in here. It’s been over a week,” she said, flopping down on her bed.
“Alex still hasn’t heard anything?” Daniel asked.
“Still nothing, she either hasn’t received his message, or she’s ignoring him.”
“I was afraid of that.”
Kile sat up. “Why? What aren’t you telling me?”
“Come on Ki, Emara’s not just any mystic; she supposed to be the next Grand Magus.”
“So.”
“Emara, the Grand Magus of the Mystic Tower and… Alex.”
“Are you saying you don’t think Emara could be interested in someone like Alex?”
“I’m just saying it’s highly unlikely. They’re not exactly cut from the same cloth.” Daniel explained.
“Wow Danny, I never took you for one of those elitists. Got your application in to the Sons of Terrabin yet?”
“Hey, that’s not fair. I like Alex; he’s my best friend. I’ve known him since before I can remember. I’m just saying, she might not have time for him.”
“Oh, so, it’s Emara who’s the elitist.”
“I didn’t say that either.”
“Look, I many not have known Emara as long as you’ve known Alex, actually, I’ve only known her for a few days, but that doesn’t mean she’s not a very sweet girl, okay, she’s a bit flighty and sometimes she forgets where she is… and who she is… and probably who Alex is… and… yeah, you’re probably right.”
“Look, isn’t there any other way you can reach Morgan. You got a hold of Master Folkstaff when you were under siege, you sent that hawk.”
“I thought about it, but I’m afraid to send anyone to the Tower. The place is a bit messed up. Who’s to say what would happen to them?” she replied. “I’ve even tried reaching out to Kaza, but he’s so far away, I don’t dare reach too far. I may not find my way back.”
“What about Folkstaff’s brother?” Daniel asked. “He’s a mystic, maybe Master Folkstaff can get word to Morgan.”
“He hasn’t heard from his brother since they got sequestered.” Kile replied. “My only other c
hoice is a frontal assault.”
“You actually intend to walk up to the Tower and knock on the front door?”
“Why not? Just become no one ever tried, doesn’t mean it won’t work.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s true.”
“I’ll give Alex another week, if he doesn’t hear from Emara by then, I’ll try to find Morgan myself. I just hope he hears from her.”
“It would make it easier.” Daniel replied.
“It’s got nothing to do with being easy. He really likes her, and I kind of hope, she likes him too.”
“Wow,” Daniel laughed, “imagine, you, a romantic!”
“You know, those dogs who followed you around town, they can follow you a lot faster.”
“Hey, I agree with you, I hope Alex…”
Kile held up her hand to stop him.
“What is it?” Daniel asked.
“Alex is on his way here,” she told him.
“How do you know?”
“Vesper went with him this afternoon. He thought he could get more tips if he had a cute sidekick, and Vesper really needed to get out.”
Sure enough, there came a rap on the door.
“Kile, it’s me, let me in, I have something really important to tell you.”
Daniel pulled open the door and Alex stumbled through.
“Danny, you’re here too? I looked for you downstairs, but they said you were making your rounds.”
“I finished early and came to see Kile. What’s the important news? Have you heard from Emara?”
“No, no, not yet. It usually takes her a week to get back to me. No, this is big.”
“What is it Alex?” Kile asked.
Alex checked the hallway before closing the door.
“I was in the Flatten Sparrow and just finished telling my new story, you know, the one you told me about how you escaped the valrik. You should have seen it, I created the scene perfectly, with all of you riding away on the black-hoofed mountain deer, although, I think I might have accidentally used white tailed deer, but I don’t think anyone noticed.”
“Alex, focus,” Daniel shouted.
“Oh, sorry, as I was saying, I just finished up and was counting my tips when I overheard some soldiers talking. They were saying something about a secret mission into the wastelands to meet up with a spy who was supposed to have vital information, but he never showed up.”
“I don’t see how this affects us.” Kile replied, looking to Daniel for support.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I mention the spy was named Carter?”
“Carter? As in, our Carter?” she asked.
“I think so.” Alex replied. “I tried to talk to the soldiers, but they were a bit tight lipped about the whole thing. They did say the spy was a Hunter, but nothing beyond that.”
“Have you even heard from Carter?” Kile asked Daniel.
He shook his head. “The only thing Master Folkstaff ever said about Carter, was that he was on some secret mission. You don’t really think they would send him into the wastelands.”
“Why not, with his Edge, he would be perfect.” Kile replied. She grabbed her boots from the foot of the bed and began pulling them on.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Daniel asked.
“To speak with Coronel Barshed, he should know if anyone should.”
“You think you can just walk in and start up a conversation with the man?”
“Why not?”
“Besides, what are you going to tell him? We’re not even supposed to have this information.”
“Oh, come on, Danny, we’re Hunters. Information gathering is what we do,” she replied, as she stomped on her boot. Vesper nimbly jumped from Alex’s shoulder onto hers, when she headed for the door.
“Kile, do you really think it’s wise. I mean, with you being…”
“Crazy,” she finished for him.
“I was going to follow the King’s lead and say, not in your right mind, but crazy works.”
“Danny, if it really is Carter out there we can’t just abandon him. Something must have happened.”
“But we don’t even know if it is our Carter. And besides, don’t you think the Guild already has a plan to find him. They’re not just going to leave one of their own behind.” Daniel replied.
“That’s why we’re going to the Colonel first.”
“But Ki…”
“Danny, I’m just going to go talk to him; see what he knows.”
“Fine. But you’re not going alone,” Daniel said, following her out into the hall.
“I can handle this,” she told him.
“No, you said it yourself, If it is Carter, we can’t abandon him.”
“Then I’m going too.” Alex chimed in.
“Out of the question,” Daniel replied.
“Why, Carter’s my friend too, even if he is always picking on me.”
“Alex, you’ve only got one eye.”
“So, I can still see.”
“Look, we might be arguing over nothing. We don’t even know if the information is accurate. We’ll go talk to Barshed, see what he has to say, and then we’ll figure out what to do next.”
Kile was halfway down the hallway when Daniel grabbed her arm.
“What now?” she asked, turning around.
“Um, we may have a slight problem,” he told her.
“What problem, what are you talking about?”
“I think he means the guard who is posted at the end of the hallway,” Alex replied.
“Guard, what guard?”
“Lord Bollen thought it would be best to have a guard posted, but he didn’t want to upset you, so he keeps a soldier at the end of the hallway,” Daniel explained.
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“We were told not to.”
“By who?”
Daniel hesitated until Kile gave him the look which threatened bodily harm if he didn’t speak up. “Master Folkstaff,” he replied meekly.
“Wonderful,” she shouted as continued down the hall.
“Wait, Ki, what about the guard?” Daniel asked.
“What about him. I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“Well, actually, you did try to assassinate an ambassador,” Alex replied.
Kile glared at him.
“You’re right, none of my business,” he said, stepping back.
“Ki,” Daniel called after her.
“Danny, I have been a prisoner once. I will not be a prisoner again,” she said.
“Actually, it was twice.” Alex chimed in.
“What’s twice?”
“You were a prisoner twice, don’t you remember?” he said, holding up two fingers. “You were detained back at the Academy for shooting Master West with a crossbow, and then you were taking prisoner by Ravenshadow.” He thought about it for a moment, then held up another finger. “Oh, wait, you were also arrested for those crimes against the Guild, so, actually, you’ve been a prisoner three times.”
“Thanks, Alex, you’re not helping.”
“Four times, if you count the siege.”
“Thank you, Alex,” she shouted as she continued down the hall.
Turning the corner, she ran into the guard who was posted there. He was a tall, dark man with curly black hair and a thin mustache. He held up his hand to stop her.
“Whoa there and where do you think you’re going?” he asked.
“If you must know, I’m on my way to speak with Colonel Barshed,” she informed him.
“I don’t think so. My orders are to keep you safe.”
“Keep me safe, or keep people safe from me?”
“Kile, he didn’t mean…” Daniel stopped when Kile shot him a look.
The guard laughed. “Look missy…”
“What did you just call me?” she asked, looking around. “Do you see a little girl here? For your information, I happen to be a Certified Level Three Hunter and the commander of Perha Squad, so, if I was you, I would just ste
p aside right now and let me pass.”
“I can’t do that missy… I mean, ma’am, my orders were to…”
“Keep me safe, yes, you already said that. But were you ordered to keep me locked in my room?”
“Well… no, not exactly,” he stammered.
“Fine, then you can keep me safe by taking me to Colonel Barshed,” she told him.
“I don’t think I’m supposed to…”
“Look, I’m going with or without you, so take your pick.”
The guard appeared to cower under her glare.
“What seems to be the problem here?” a second soldier asked as he approached from behind.
“Sir, this… she… this… Hunter, wishes to speak with the Colonel.”
The new man regarded Kile with a suspicious look. He was tall and lean with a fair complexion and long blonde hair, which hung down past his shoulders. He was rocking on the balls of his feet with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Is this true?” he asked her.
Kile studied him for a moment before answering. “It is.” she replied.
“I’ll take it from here, private,” he told the guard, who seemed visibly relieved to be free of the responsibility. “Follow me, if you wish to see the Colonel.”
The soldier led them down four flights of stairs, until they reached the ground floor where they exited into the courtyard. It was getting dark, and there was a cool, damp breeze in the air. Kile was starting to feel more like herself, now she was out of the room and doing something, other than sitting around waiting.
They never approached the gatehouse. Instead, the man led them toward the cloisters, which ran along the far side of the bailey.
“Sir, isn’t the Colonel in the city?” Daniel asked.
“He probably should be,” the guard replied.
“Then shouldn’t we…?”
“Don’t bother, Danny.” Kile said as she kept pace with the young soldier. “We’re not going to see the Colonel, are we?”
“Not quite,” the guard replied.
He led them through the archway, under the covered walk, which ran alongside the gardens. Even this late in the season, the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers. The guard stopped beside one of the pillars, which was almost completely covered in ivy. He leaned against the half wall and grinned.
