I cursed under my breath in frustration as I focused back on Rorian, who twirled his sword effortlessly in his hand as he waited. I needed to disarm the man somehow without killing him, but that was easier said than done when someone as skilled as Rorian didn’t have any qualms about killing me. I needed to find another way.
“Maybe we can come to some kind of arrangement,” I said as the scholar and I weaved back and forth, searching for an opening.
“Such as?” Rorian asked in an even tone.
“Such as, we let you live and you give us what we want,” I suggested.
Rorian chuckled. “And what is it, exactly, that you want from me?”
“Whatever you stole from Halhaven,” I replied.
“Ah,” the scholar said knowingly. “I assumed that’s what this was all about.”
He took a half-hearted swing at me, which I easily blocked. Maybe I was getting through to him after all, I thought, feeling encouraged. “Look around you, Rorian,” I said. “You’re finished. Most of your men are dead, and you are going to die here along with them unless we make a deal.”
Rorian chuckled. I was hugely impressed by his lack of fear. “I’ll grant you this wasn’t exactly my plan,” he said. “But that’s the way life goes sometimes.”
“Then maybe it’s time to change your plans,” I said. Rorian nudged at my sword with his, but I could tell that he was listening. “All you have to do is give us what you took from Halhaven. We are going to get it, anyway, so why not make things easy on everybody and just hand it over?”
“And if I do?”
“Then you and the girl can go free,” I promised.
I saw the scholar’s gaze flick to the longboat and the woman standing there. His expression changed for just a moment when he saw her. I hesitated, following his eyes. I’d seen something just now in those eyes. Something deep and unyielding that had flared for a single heartbeat. Then it suddenly dawned on me what it had been. Love.
“Regrettably, I cannot accept your terms,” Rorian finally said, his face turning hard again. “There is a certain amount of honor at stake here. I’m sure you understand.”
I nodded, disappointed, but not surprised. I knew what I had to do now to end this.
“Malo,” I said, keeping my eyes on Rorian. “The woman on the boat.” I saw Rorian tense as I glanced sideways at the House Agent. “I want you to go over there and kill her.”
Malo gaped at me in surprise. “What?”
“You heard me,” I growled. I pointed at the scholar. “If this bastard doesn’t throw down his sword right now, kill her and toss her bloody head at his feet.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” Rorian said tightly, looking uncertain for the first time now.
“Keep that sword in your hand any longer, and you will find out what I’ll do,” I replied, my voice hard and filled with menace.
Rorian stared at me searchingly, and then he tossed his weapon onto the sand at my feet.
11: The Codex
I wouldn’t have let Malo go through with it, of course. I have been called many things in my life, but a butcher of women is not one of them. I’ve always liked to believe Malo wouldn’t have done my bidding anyway, but nothing was ever a certainty with that man. The look I’d seen in Rorian’s eyes had lasted only a moment, but it had been enough for me to see deep into his soul. Women can either be a source of strength for a man, or a source of weakness—sometimes even both. It was clear to me that whoever the woman was, she was Rorian’s weakness.
“You chose wisely,” I said as I hooked my toe under the scholar’s sword and flicked it across the sand.
Rorian began to shake his head, his hands on his hips. “You wouldn’t have done it,” he said regretfully. “I saw it on your face just now.”
I grinned back at him. “Of course not. I don’t make war on women.”
Rorian surprised me by returning the grin as he smoothed his beard. “A shrewd move. I’m impressed. I let your reputation cloud my judgment, which is a mistake I don’t usually make.”
“Reputation?” I said. “You know me?”
“Who in this world hasn’t heard of the Outlaw of Corwick by now?” Rorian answered.
I glanced over my shoulder at Tyris, who was striding toward us along the beach, his bow slung over his shoulder. Sabina hurried behind him, her face a jumble of emotions as she tried to keep up. I gestured to the stricken longboat as the archer reached us. “Tyris, fetch the lady from the ship and bring her to me.”
“Yes, my lord,” Tyris said.
“Who is she?” I asked as I focused back on Rorian.
“My wife,” the scholar replied. “Thera.”
That explained the look then, I thought. Sabina stopped beside me, her hands on her hips as she glared at Rorian.
“Where is he?” she demanded. I had forgotten about her father during all the excitement.
“Who?” Rorian asked.
“The man who led you to the coast,” I said. “This is his daughter.”
Rorian’s eyebrows rose. “You are Sabina?”
“That’s right,” Sabina said, looking surprised. “Now, where is he?”
“I imagine on his way back to your mother,” Rorian said. “I understand the poor woman is ill.” He glanced at me. “The Cardians were intent on killing him once we reached the cove. The only way I could convince them not to was by telling them that I still needed his skills.”
“So, that’s why he got on the ship with you,” I said, understanding now.
“Yes,” Rorian nodded. “He was furious, of course, but he didn’t have much choice in the matter.” The scholar turned to Sabina. “I cut your father’s bonds so that he could escape once we beached for repairs. I haven’t seen him since.” He frowned. “I know he wouldn’t have left if he’d known you were here.”
“Why would you help him?” Sabina asked suspiciously.
“Because I gave him my word that he would be safe,” Rorian said, “and I keep my promises.”
Sabina thought about that for a moment, and then she turned to me. “I have to go after him.”
“And do what?” I asked. I looked at Rorian. “How long has he been gone?”
Rorian shrugged. “Three hours or so. You’ll never pick up his trail now.”
“I won’t need to,” Sabina said, sounding determined. “I know where he’s going.” She turned, then paused to glance over her shoulder at me. “I need some of the supplies from the ship.”
“Take whatever you want,” I said, knowing by the set look on her face that there would be no talking her out of leaving. “I’m sure the Cardians have plenty that we can use.”
“Thank you, Hadrack,” Sabina replied gratefully. She hesitated and I saw her mouth open as if to say more. Then she looked down at the sand before turning away without another word, heading back along the beach.
“Where is it?” Malo demanded, coming to take Sabina’s place beside me as he glowered at Rorian.
“Where is what?” the scholar asked.
“The codex, you murderous bastard,” Malo growled. “I know that’s why you were in Halhaven.”
I glanced at Malo in surprise. Codex? Tyris arrived with Thera before Rorian could respond. The two embraced warmly and I could see relief in the woman’s eyes as she held her husband. Rorian finally broke the embrace and he motioned to Malo. “This is the House Agent that has been hounding us so stubbornly, my dear.” Thera’s hair was an odd shade of brown, looking almost coppery in the harsh sunlight. She wore a long-sleeved blue dress that was cinched at the waist by a tablet-woven belt of coarse wool. A string of simple beads hung around her neck. The scholar’s wife was young and slender, with a thin face that was all sharp bones and harsh angles. She stared coldly at Malo. “And this fellow with the strange grey eyes,” Rorian continued, turning to me, “is the famous Outlaw of Corwick.”
Thera gave me the same cold look, though I did warrant a slight nod of acknowledgment, at least.
“Gi
ve me the codex,” Malo said tightly, barely glancing at the woman. He thrust his face aggressively forward, pausing an inch away from Rorian’s nose with his hand on his sword.
Rorian shrugged, looking unfazed. “I can’t give that which I do not have, House Agent.”
“You’re lying!” Malo hissed.
“You have my word,” Rorian insisted.
“Which is worth about as much as a month-old mouse turd,” Malo spat. He took a step back, still fingering his sword. “I know you went to Halhaven in search of the codex, so don’t try to deny it.”
“That’s not why I went,” Rorian stated emphatically. “I was looking for something else.”
“Something worth killing for?”
Rorian grimaced. “Taking the Master Librarian’s life was never my intent, House Agent. His death was unfortunate.”
“Sure it was,” Malo said between clenched teeth. He took a deep breath. I could see the struggle he was undergoing as he tried to contain his anger. “What did you find in Halhaven then, if it wasn’t the codex?”
“Knowledge,” Rorian simply said. His eyes started to twinkle. “Expensive knowledge for those who will pay.”
Malo pursed his lips. “So, you know where it is, then?” The scholar hesitated and Malo’s grip tightened on his sword. “Tell me what you know right now, or I swear I’ll do to your wife what Hadrack wouldn’t.”
Rorian looked unimpressed. “While I don’t doubt you are capable of murder, House Agent.” He motioned to me. “I don’t believe this one will allow that to happen.”
“Hadrack isn’t in charge here,” Malo growled. “I am. Now start talking.”
Rorian turned to me, a challenge in his eyes. I hated the bastard for all the trouble he had caused, but the man was right, and he knew it. I’d managed to bluff him once, but the scholar had the measure of me now.
“I’ll tell you what you want to know on two conditions,” Rorian said, satisfied that he and I had an understanding. “First.” He pointed at Malo. “You guarantee my wife and I safe passage back to Afrenia.”
“You’re Afrenian?” I said, surprised. “We thought you were a Cardian.”
Rorian chuckled, and even Thera’s down-turned mouth twitched slightly in amusement. “Thankfully, no,” the scholar said. “That would be too depressing to contemplate.”
“And the other condition?” Malo asked warily.
“You match what the Cardians were going to pay me to find the codex. Do that, and I’ll tell you where it is.”
Malo sighed, not looking surprised. “How much?” he asked.
“Five hundred Cardian gold coins,” Rorian said without blinking an eye. He smiled. “Jorqs will do just as well, if you prefer.”
“That’s outrageous!” I heard Niko gasp.
I turned. The young outlaw had inched closer to hear us better and his sword was now a foot away from the captive Cardians’ throats. “Niko!” I roared. “Pay attention to your task, or you’ll be on your knees next to those bastards!”
Niko blanched at the rebuke and hurried back to his post. “Yes, my lord,” he said, his face turning a dark crimson.
“So, do we have an agreement?” Rorian asked Malo.
“Wait here,” Malo grunted. He turned away, motioning me to follow.
I could tell by the way Malo held his shoulders that he was expecting an argument from me. If he tried to hurt the girl, I vowed, he would get one.
“Rorian’s right,” I said the moment we were out of earshot. “I won’t let you do it.”
“We can’t trust him,” Malo said as if he hadn’t heard me. He studied the scholar over my shoulder as we talked. “His wife is the only leverage we have. We don’t have to kill her, just bloody her up a little. The bastard will talk once the screaming starts.”
“No,” I said firmly, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’ve seen you work with that short sword of yours, Malo. I won’t let you do that to a woman.”
“You swore an oath to serve Daughter Gernet’s interests, Hadrack. Getting that information is part of that oath.”
“I didn’t swear to torture women,” I responded hotly.
Malo snorted in frustration. “If we give him what he wants, how do we know he won’t just send us out on a fool’s errand and then keep his deal with the Cardians?”
“We don’t,” I said, shaking my head stubbornly. “But it’s the only way that I’m willing to do this.”
Malo’s eyes flashed with anger. “I didn’t think you were this weak, Hadrack,” he said bitterly.
I shrugged, not caring what he thought. “Call it whatever you want.”
Malo took a deep breath, then brushed past me to stop in front of the scholar again. “Very well,” he said. “I agree to your terms. Safe passage back to Afrenia and payment of five hundred Jorqs once we have the codex.”
Rorian smirked and shook his head. “No, House Agent. The payment of five hundred Jorqs will happen before we leave for Afrenia, or I don’t talk.”
Malo glared at the scholar, locking eyes, until finally he grunted and looked away. “So be it.”
Rorian put out his hand. “I want your word, House Agent.”
“You have it, you bastard,” Malo growled. They locked forearms and shook. Two strong men who clearly didn’t like each other. “Now, tell me what I want to know.”
“The Halas Codex is hidden in a cave somewhere near the Complex,” Rorian replied.
I frowned in confusion. What was the man talking about? The Halas Codex had already been found several years ago, hidden inside a book in the Complex monastery. That codex and its one legible page was the reason the kingdom and Holy House were embroiled in a civil war right now.
“Hold on,” I said, lifting a hand. “Are we talking about the same codex that I think we’re talking about?”
“Yes, and no,” Malo answered.
I looked at him in disgust. “The last time I heard about that damn codex, Malo, it started a war.”
“And this one can end it,” the House Agent grunted roughly in reply.
“What if the codex doesn’t say what you want, House Agent?” Rorian asked mockingly. “Will ending the war be just as important then?”
“Can someone please tell me what is going on here?” I said, getting angry now.
“There is a second Halas Codex,” Malo explained. He took a deep breath. “An exact duplicate of the original found in the monastery.”
“What? How?” I said, stunned.
The implications of what I’d just heard were staggering. A complete, legible copy of the Halas Codex would lay to rest any doubt about which god was the more powerful. Which, in turn, meant the war would conceivably end. My heart lurched in my chest as I realized that my oath to Daughter Gernet would end as well. For the first time in my life, I would be beholden to nobody, free to fulfill the vow that I had made to my family. It was an intoxicating thought.
“Five months ago,” Malo continued, “a scribe working in the Complex discovered a short notation left behind by a man named Waldin. That message was written over four hundred years ago, claiming that Waldin had made a copy of a remarkable codex that he’d discovered. A codex that he swore had been written by the First Son and Daughter, Ardena and Dilestra.”
“The Halas Codex,” I breathed in wonder.
“It can only be,” Malo agreed.
“Who was this Waldin fellow?” I asked.
Malo shrugged. “No one seems to know. It hardly matters. What matters is what he did with that copy of the codex. The North control access to the Complex, but we have people there who got word to us about what has been happening. The Sons and Tyrale’s people are hunting everywhere for the codex, but so far, nothing has been found.”
“And it won’t be,” Rorian said, looking amused. “Not where they are looking, anyway. The North knows nothing about the cave, nor do your spies.”
“And what are you, then, if not a spy?” Malo asked crossly.
“Just a man doing
the job he was hired to do.”
“By Cardians?” Malo spat back in disgust.
Rorian shrugged. “Their gold is just as good as yours.”
“What do Cardians want with the codex?” I asked as Malo’s face turned mean.
“What do Cardians always want?” Rorian replied with a snort. “Money, of course.” He smiled. “Not that I can blame them, I suppose. I’m not above the lure of riches myself, after all.” Rorian’s eyes gleamed. “Just think of how much the twin princes would pay for such a prize. If the words inside that codex name The Father, then the Daughters will have no choice but to surrender power to the Sons and endorse Prince Tyrale. The same the other way if it turns out The Mother is named. Either way, the Cardians are giddy at the prospect of finding the duplicate and selling it to the highest bidder.”
“So, they hired you to find it for them,” I said. “Why you?”
Rorian grinned modestly. “Let’s just say that I have unusual talents. I’ve worked with the Cardians before. They know they can trust me to get the job done.”
“Yet here you stand, telling us everything for gold,” Malo said, not hiding the contempt in his voice. “So much for trust.”
“Not just for gold,” Rorian said as he glanced at his wife meaningfully. “If that’s all this was about, I would never tell you.”
“Why go to Halhaven and not Mount Halas directly if you suspected the codex was there?” I asked.
“Getting into the Complex would have been difficult, if not impossible at the time,” Rorian said. “I had a way in, but I had to wait for the right moment. I decided that while I waited, I would try to come at the problem of where the codex might be in a different way. That different way led me to Halhaven.”
“A different way, how?” Malo asked.
“By finding out who Waldin was,” I answered for the scholar, knowing that I was right.
The Wolf On The Run (The Wolf of Corwick Castle Book 3) Page 18
