“That was your final warning.”
“First tell us who you are,” called out Ethan.
“I am the man with six bows ready to turn you into a pincushion,” he replied.
The light in Kat’s hands intensified. “Let them try.”
“Don’t,” snapped Keira. “Still your magic. They have not attacked.” She took a step forward and shouted, “We will comply. But should you attack us, I promise that we will not die alone.”
“Fair enough, elf,” he said.
Gathering up their packs, they started toward the mouth of the grotto. By now, little daylight was remaining, though as they emerged there was still enough to see six cloaked men standing in the water several yards back from the entrance - three on either side, and all of them aiming longbows. One of them lowered his bow and slung it over his back.
“I thought your people promised to leave this place to us,” he said.
“I know nothing of such an agreement,” Keira replied. “I have been out of contact with my people for some time.”
The man threw back his hood, revealing weathered features and a mop of wavy black hair. Ethan thought he looked a bit like Markus, though not as broad in the shoulder, and with a larger nose.
“Out of contact? I thought elves were never separated from one another.”
“Then you know nothing of my kin,” she said, though without a hint of irritation. “I was on an errand and have only just returned. I assure you, I will honor any arrangement you have made.”
The man rubbed his chin while regarding the group. “I may not know much about elves. But I do know plenty about humans. And I have never heard of any of us traveling with your kind.”
“Who I choose to travel with is also my own affair,” Keira told him.
“Perhaps. But unfortunately my orders are clear regarding trespassers. I can allow you to leave, elf. But your friends must remain until Kayno says otherwise.”
Keira tensed, but Kat stepped forward.
“That wouldn’t be Kayno of the Corvali, would it?” she asked.
“The same,” he affirmed. “You know him?”
“Only by reputation. His name was well known in Miltino. Jeb spoke very highly of him.”
“So you know Jeb?”
“Yes.”
“And your name?”
“They call me Kat.”
The man raised an eyebrow. “Kat, you say? I heard that name the last time I was in Miltino. But I was told you were much younger. Can you prove what you say?”
Kat glanced over at Ethan. “Please tell me you still have that token he gave you.”
Ethan nodded. “It’s in my bag.”
“Slowly,” warned the man. The creaking of bowstrings punctuated his words.
Ethan removed his backpack and dug around inside until finding the small cloth bag in which he had stashed the token. He tossed the wooden disc over and put his pack back on, careful not to make any sudden movements.
The man examined the token for a moment, then, with a nod, threw it back to Ethan. “This is Jeb’s, for certain. How did you come by it?”
“He gave it to me in case I ever came across the Corvali,” Ethan explained.
After a moment's thought, the man nodded. “Well now you have. I am Dren. For the time being, you and Kat can consider yourselves my guests. However, I must still inform Kayno. So you will stay with us until he gives you leave to depart. The elf is free to go now if she wishes. We do not want to jeopardize the truce by spilling her blood.”
Kat opened her mouth to object, but Dren’s hand flew up. “There will be no further discussion.” He pointed to the grotto. “I’ll send word to Kayno. If he gives you his leave, you will be free to go.”
“I will stay with my companions,” said Keira. “Our paths lie together.”
“Suit yourself,” he said. “But should Kayno choose to hold them, we will not allow you to interfere.”
Keira bowed her head, but said nothing.
Satisfied with her reaction, Dren ordered two of his men to hide the bodies of the fallen Imperial soldiers, and another to go gather wood for a fire. Everyone else went to the rear of the grotto and settled down. Despite a slightly more relaxed atmosphere, Ethan couldn't help but notice that Dren's remaining two men seated several yards away, were both holding their bows in their laps with arrows pre-notched.
Once the fire was started, Dren send a man to take the message to Kayno. “It should only be a few hours,” he informed them. “Our main camp isn’t far away.”
He took a flask from his belt, breathing in deeply as the scent of whiskey filled the air. He then passed it to Ethan. “Drink with me. I insist.”
Ethan wanted to refuse, but could see the man would accept no argument. Reluctantly, he took a small sip. The whiskey was strong and had a bitter aftertaste. He tried his best not to cough as the liquid burned down his throat.
“Now you,” Dren told Kat.
“What are we drinking to?” she asked.
“To Jeb,” he replied. “Or were you not aware he was killed in Santfaliso?”
Kat shook her head. “I didn’t know. How did it happen?”
“No one is sure. He was sent there to do a job for a client and never returned. One of our people found his body in an abandoned building he was using while mapping out the target. From what I hear, he'd been tortured to death. The two others he left with were nowhere to be found.”
Dren eyed Kat carefully. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
Kat took a long drink with trembling hands. “No. He was alive the last time I saw him.”
“And when was that?”
She handed him back the flask. “Not long ago. Just before he was killed, I would imagine. We ran into him and his companions while leaving Miltino. He let us stay the night in a Corvali cabin. He left before we did, so I don’t know what happened after that.”
Dren sealed the flask and tossed it on the ground beside him. “Yes. The cabin. Burned to the ground I hear.”
“Are you saying we did that?” asked Kat, shock suddenly appearing on her face.
He gave her a lopsided smile. “Not at all. I just find it curious. Jeb’s death has upset quite a few people. He was well loved among us. I just hoped you might give us a clue as to his fate.”
He stretched out on his side, leaning casually on one arm. “You know, I would swear you were younger. Jeb did mention you to me before. And the way he described you… well, I’ve never known him to be so utterly misleading. Gangly little whelp, that's what he said. And the most talented thief he’d ever met. Hard to imagine he was talking about the beauty I see before me.”
Kat spread her hands. “Maybe there was another Kat.”
Dren chuckled. “Another Kat, eh?” He shot a quick glance over to the bowmen.
The next thing Ethan heard was a thin whistle shooting through the air. Keira leapt to her feet, clutching at a black dart protruding from her right arm. At the same time, Ethan’s hand flew to his sword. But when he tried to stand, his legs refused to obey his wishes. Keira’s eyes flared for a moment, then she collapsed, unconscious.
Kat was also unable to raise herself up. “What the hell?” she demanded.
“Keira!” cried Ethan.
The creak of bows being drawn echoed ominously.
“Don't worry about the elf. She’ll be fine in a few hours,” Dren assured him. “It's just a drug. Like I said, we can’t have her blood on our hands.”
He pushed himself to his feet. “In a moment the stuff in the whiskey will finish its work on you two. Try any of your magic and my companions will put arrows in each of your throats.” He could see the fear in their eyes and smiled. “Don’t worry. It’s not deadly. It’s only meant to keep you docile.”
Ethan could feel his tongue beginning to swell. “W...why?” was all he could manage to say as his eyes blurred.
Dren smiled. “Aside from the fact I'm almost certain you know more about Jeb’
s death than you're telling me, I also happened to catch sight of the young lady playing with those green balls of light.” He clicked his tongue. “Naughty girl. That's magic. And the Emperor pays well for people like you.”
“But you’re Corvali,” mumbled Kat. “Not bounty…”
Her voice trailed off as she lost the battle to stay conscious.
Ethan could see only shadows, and was no longer able to speak. He felt himself keel over. Fear gripped him. If they knew who he was they would take him to the Emperor. All of this – all of the struggles – will have been for nothing.
I can help you.
It was the voice of Martok, pushing its way in through the veil.
Please. Before it’s too late, the voice urged.
But it was already too late. Had he wanted Martok’s help, he was now unable to hold any kind of proper thought. The blackness was upon him.
Chapter Eight
Time was a blur. On the occasions he stirred, Ethan had caught only snippets of conversation when the drug would wear off. Before he could fully regain his senses, a flask was pressed to his lips and once again there was the bitter taste of whiskey burning its way down his throat. Then nothingness returned. He'd lost track of how many times this had happened. Now, as hard as he tried, there was no way of knowing how long he'd been held a prisoner. For all he knew, many days might have passed.
During his previous brief moments of consciousness, he'd had the sensation of being carried in a wagon. Not any longer though. Although still flat on his back and unable to see anything, he knew he was now definitely stationary. And this time there was no more whiskey being forced into his mouth. Was that a good sign, or a bad one?
His mind quickly turned to Kat. They needed her alive for the bounty they meant to collect, so cold logic told him she had not yet been harmed. That’s what he had to keep believing. To think otherwise would tear him apart. But why they were bothering to keep him alive was a mystery. Perhaps they thought he might be a mage as well.
“Are they secure?”
It was the voice of Dren that first came to him, though it was muffled, as if coming from the other side of a closed door.
“Lady Umbra says that the collars will keep them from using their magic,” replied a second voice.
“We’re not even sure that the boy is a mage,” said a third.
“Lady Umbra seems to think he is,” Dren told them. “And seeing as how she is paying a bounty for both of them, I don’t care either way.”
“What about Kayno?” asked the third voice. “He's not going to be happy that you did this on your own.”
“He’ll get his share,” Dren growled. “It was too risky to wait.”
There was a short pause before the second man spoke. “Did you see the way Lady Umbra looked at the girl? I wouldn’t want to be in her place right now.”
“I hear tell the woman's killed more than fifty people, just because she suspected they could use magic,” said the third man. “No trial. No test. She just had their heads lopped off.”
“Not my business,” said Dren. “Though I do wish I could find out what the girl knows about Jeb's death.”
The sensation in Ethan’s limbs was slowly returning. He now realized that his hands were shackled. He could also feel something fastened around his neck – the collar the Corvali man spoke of, he supposed.
A door opened and the three men fell silent.
“You can go now,” said a female voice. “Your presence is no longer required.”
“We’ll leave when we’re paid,” said Dren.
“You’ll leave when you are dismissed.”
Though the woman's voice was soft, it held an air of authority…and a hint of danger.
There was a long silence before Dren responded. “I should have known better than to trust you,” he eventually grumbled. “Come on men. Let’s go.”
Ethan heard boots shuffling and the slam of a door. A few seconds later, the door reopened. By now a little light was creeping into his eyes, though he could still make out only vague shapes.
“See that they are paid,” ordered the woman. “The Corvali may be scum. But they are useful scum.”
“Yes, My Lady,” answered a man, obviously a servant.
The door closed and Ethan could hear her light footfalls approaching him.
“What a prize,” she said. “What a prize indeed. The Emperor will be most pleased.”
He tried to speak, but was only able to groan weakly.
“Don’t worry,” said the woman. “The drug will wear off in a while. I am Lady Umbra, and I will be your host for a time. Do not attempt to escape. And do not try to remove your collar. If you do, you will find it a most unpleasant experience. Only I can unlock it. ”
Ethan swallowed hard. “K…Kat.”
“You needn’t concern yourself with her any longer,” Umbra told him. “She is being tended quite well, I assure you.”
He felt slender fingers touching his cheek before she added: “I will have food and drink brought to you once you have recovered.”
Ethan’s heart pounded. He tried not to think about what she meant by Kat being: 'tended quite well'. For now, he must stay level-headed and concentrate on finding a way of saving her.
A few moments later he heard Umbra leave. A thought then suddenly occurred.
Martok!
He called to him inside his mind. But no answer was forthcoming. He reached out again, and then for a third time. Please, I need you, he continued to beg. But no matter how many times he tried, his pleas went unheard.
* * * * *
Though Kat’s head was still swimming, she could feel the effects of the drug wearing off. She blinked several times, straining to see her surroundings, but shades of pink and yellow light was all that filtered in. She was lying on a bed, and the touch of cold steel on her wrists told her that she was shackled. Something had also been fastened around her neck.
After a few minutes, her vision improved just enough to get the impression that she was in a spacious bed chamber. Beside her, something she could not yet focus on clearly had been placed atop a nightstand.
She whispered Ethan’s name in the vague hope that he might be somewhere nearby. But there was no reply. She fought back the fear. By now he could be anywhere. If their captors had discovered who he was, then he may very well already be on his way to the Emperor. She pushed this terrible thought from her mind. First she must free herself. Then she would save him.
But before any of that, she needed to know where the hell she was.
Her vision cleared a bit more. And though any movement was made uncomfortable by the collar around her neck, she was now able to turn her head and shift her arms a little.
The object on the nightstand caught her attention again. What was at first a blue blob was gradually turning into the figure of a tiny person. As the seconds ticked by and her sight continued to improve, she came to realize that it was a doll. But why would someone place it there? It was clearly meant for her to see.
Then, as her eyesight cleared completely, a cold stab of terror sank into her chest. Gasping, she began to struggle wildly against her bonds.
“No need for that…cousin.”
Kat lifted her head and scanned the room. Sitting in a high backed chair was Umbra. She was dressed in an elegant purple gown embroidered with silver and lace. As for her blond curls, they were tied back with purple satin ribbons and adorned with tiny white flowers. The rosy glow to her cheeks and lips was the result of expensive cosmetics, and in stark contrast to her otherwise ivory complexion. Though thinner in the waist and legs than Kat, her womanly attributes were enormous by comparison – so much so that her breasts were threatening to burst from her bodice.
“It is you, isn’t it?” she asked, her eyes unblinking and her mouth twisted into a sinister smile. “As impossible as it seems, it is you, Katyana.”
At first Kat was too shocked and afraid to speak. Umbra was just as she remembered – albeit a
few years older; though they were now much closer in age.
“Don’t you have anything to say to me, dear cousin?” Umbra continued. She stood and crossed over to the bedside. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. After all, we are family.”
Her gloating manner was just too much for Kat to bear. Any lingering effects of the drug disappeared – banished by the sheer adrenaline of the moment. “I have plenty to say to you, you bitch,” she snarled. She tried to sit up suddenly, but a sharp searing pain instantly shot through her skull. She let out a scream.
Laughing at her distress, Umbra pulled out a key attached to a chain around her neck. “You can’t hurt me, Katyana. Not as long as I have this. And don’t bother trying to use your foul magic.” She spat out the word magic like she was issuing a curse.
“Where is Ethan?” Kat demanded.
Umbra ignored the question. Instead, she stood gazing down at Kat and shaking her head. “I know it’s you. But how did you do it? You could not be more than thirteen years old, yet here you are, a grown woman for all accounts.” She sneered and flicked her wrist. “It's your filthy magic, I presume. Meddling with it must have aged you. But I knew you the moment I saw you.”
“I said, where is Ethan?”
“Oh, you mean Lord Dragonvein?” Umbra smiled. “Don't worry. He is quite safe.”
Kat’s eyes popped wide at hearing her use Ethan's true identity.
Umbra covered her mouth demurely and laughed. “Could it be that little Katyana is in love? And with Lord Dragonvein no less. I wonder what your father will say about that.”
“My father…where is he?”
“He should be along shortly,” Umbra informed her. “He's currently in a meeting with the commander at the Imperial garrison. Lord Dragonvein’s arrival in Lumnia has apparently got the dwarves and the elves in such a state that they've been foolish enough to rebel. But this is nothing you should think about. You will have plenty to occupy yourself with once Shinzan has you at his palace.”
Dragonvein - Book Three Page 11
