Night Study

by Maria V. Snyder

  Two men jumped out and pulled the boat’s prow onto the beach. There was enough light for Valek to distinguish male and female, but not enough to observe facial features. Three men and two women hopped onto the sand. They carried two of the lanterns. Exchanging a few words with the woman in the boat, the five then strode across the sand, heading inland.

  The men pushed the craft into deeper water and leaped in. Picking up the oars, they rowed toward the light still bobbing in the ocean. The water under the boat remained smooth despite the storm surge, which meant the magician had stayed with the rowboat. Valek’d bet a gold coin it was the woman sitting in the stern. Valek moved closer, risking being spotted to get a clear view of the magician. She was young. Sixteen, maybe seventeen years old. Pretty with long dark hair. At least she wasn’t one of the Stormdancers.

  Unable to follow the rowboat in storm-tossed seas, Valek trailed the group that had been dropped off. If they were a raiding party, then why did the boat leave? Perhaps they planned to rendezvous later at another location. That would be rather smart.

  As the Storm Thieves traveled east, Valek recalled the map of the area. No towns or farms had been built here. There was nothing of value to steal. Maybe they’d hidden a stash of goods and were retrieving their stolen supplies. After hiking two miles, the Storm Thieves turned south, paralleling the coastline. The wind eased and soon it stopped raining.

  When they bypassed Gandrel, the half-moon shone through a film of wispy clouds. Valek suspected that the Storm Thieves were headed to the steer farm. Instead of relying on the storm, they might be attempting to steal the cattle later tonight when everyone was asleep. An unexpected move. Again, he suspected their leader wasn’t an average thief.

  But how would they transport the animals? Someone would hear the hooves on the wooden planks of the dock. And he doubted they would bring them back to the beach where they’d landed. That boat was too small unless they carried one steer at a time. In that case, they’d have to make multiple trips, but no one would be searching for them up there. Now the question remained, were the Storm Thieves clever enough to make it work?

  A quarter of a mile before the steer farm, they turned east, not west as expected. Curious, Valek closed the distance between them. After half a mile, the five hurried down an overgrown lane and into a barn with a sagging roof and weathered wood. Valek looped to the back of the dilapidated structure. A rusted chain wrapped around the handles of a set of warped doors. An oversize padlock cinched the chain tight.

  The barn had only one exit. Good. Scrawny pine trees surrounded the area. There were no other buildings or lights visible. Lantern light glowed through the two dirty windows. Valek peeked inside. The Storm Thieves set up bedrolls. The glass garbled their words, but their tone suggested a relaxed, easy banter. Interesting.

  Valek found a hidden vantage point and waited. Nothing happened. They remained inside. Right before dawn, he checked on them again. They slept in a circle around one of the lanterns. It still glowed. The faint light illuminated their young faces, ranging in age from fifteen to nineteen.

  A heaviness pressed on his shoulders. These kids had ruined their futures by being a part of the Storm Thieves. No spouse or children for them. The Code of Behavior didn’t give second chances.

  He mulled over the reason they hid in the barn. That second storm would hit the steer farm tonight, and these five would already be there to lead the cattle to the ship, saving time. And with the noise of the wind and waves, no one would hear the animals’ passage over the dock. Shrewd. Very shrewd. And perfect for him. He knew just what to do.

  Valek returned to the apartment. His cloak, uniform and hair were stiff with dried salt and sand. The cold air had soaked into his bones. He stirred the coals in the hearth to life and added logs. Then he washed up and changed into his adviser’s uniform.

  An hour after dawn, Endre and Annika arrived. They reported a quiet night.

  “The owner’s not too concerned about a theft,” Endre said. “Except the house, none of his barns, sheds or gates are locked up. I guess he’s relying on the brands on his livestock.”

  “Brands don’t help when the cattle disappear,” Annika said.

  “Speaking of disappearing,” Valek said. “I’ve a job for your security force, Endre. How many soldiers are there?”

  “Five others beside me.”

  “We need more. Can you recruit from neighboring forces?”

  He shook his head. “My captain can, but she’s not going to do it because I ask her to.”

  “Then I’ll ask her. Let’s go.”

  “Now?”

  “Yes, I’ll explain on the way.”

  “What about me?” Annika asked.

  “Find a seamstress, a bolt of a solid dark fabric and five gallons of sculpting clay. Bring them to the station as soon as you can.” Valek didn’t wait to see her reaction. He strode from the apartment with Endre close behind.

  Detailing his discoveries and his plan to Endre, Valek hurried through the empty streets. Everything had to be in place by the time the storm arrived.

  Captain Tahnee scowled at Endre—the newly revealed spy in her domain—but she sent messengers to Krillow and Coral Caye with Valek’s orders.

  “I’ll need Endre and one other to go with me to arrest those kids,” Valek said to Tahnee.

  “You’ll need more than that. There’s five of them,” she said.

  Valek waited.

  “Fine. Mikus,” she barked.

  A slender soldier no more than twenty years old snapped to attention. “Yes, sir!”

  “You’re with them.”

  His face paled. “Yes, sir!”

  She pressed her lips together for a moment as if swallowing a sigh. “What can we do while you’re gone?”

  Valek listed a number of tasks. A dubious expression creased her face, but she agreed and organized the rest of her staff. Valek asked Endre to fetch five pairs of manacles, then they headed to the abandoned barn.

  “They’re young, so you shouldn’t have any problems,” Valek explained. “You are going to go in first, rouse them, manacle their hands behind their backs and make them kneel.”

  “Is that really necessary?” Endre asked. “They’re just a bunch of kids.”

  Mikus sucked in a breath, as if he couldn’t believe Endre dared to question Valek.

  “I want them scared and off balance,” Valek said. “I’m going to make an entrance and terrify them. This way they will divulge all they know. For this age group, it’s more effective than goo-goo juice.”

  “Ah, nice.” Endre’s tone held approval.

  Grabbing the end of his shirt, Mikus twisted the fabric.

  “Mikus, I encourage my agents to ask questions so they can understand what’s going on. I also value their input. If Endre thought my plan sucked, he’d say so and explain why he believed that without any consequences.”

  “Oh.” Mikus’s voice squeaked. “And...would you change your plan then?”

  “Depends. If Endre’s reason had merit, then yes. If I didn’t agree with him, then no.” And that had been the same relationship the Commander and Valek had shared until recently. Perhaps Yelena had been on the right track regarding the Commander’s unusual behavior. Had Valek missed vital clues from Ambrose? It was something to consider after he dealt with the Storm Thieves.

  They reached the overgrown path. Valek signaled for silence, then he motioned for them to wait while he checked the barn. Keeping close to the trees, Valek approached the structure and looked through the window. The teens hadn’t moved. He fetched Endre and Mikus.

  When they drew close to the door, Valek mouthed, Go! The two men yanked their swords and barged into the barn, yelling at the teens to get against the wall. Valek remained outside as shouts and cries sounded. A clang of metal followed a curse.

  One young man darted out. Valek tripped him. He sprawled in the dirt, but not for long. He scrambled to his feet and by the time Valek neared, he’d spun with a d
agger in his hand. Quick little scamp.

  The scamp brandished the weapon. “Don’t come any—”

  Valek kicked the boy’s wrist, sending the knife flying through the air. He pounced, grabbed the scamp’s arm and twisted it behind his back. Valek grasped his shoulder to steady the boy.

  “Keep still,” he ordered his prisoner, “or I’ll break your arm.” Valek tugged it higher to emphasis his threat.

  The scamp gasped in pain.

  When the noise from inside the barn subsided, Valek pushed the boy ahead of him. “Move.”

  They entered. The other four knelt with Endre and Mikus standing behind them. The Storm Thieves’ faces whitened another shade when they spotted their friend.

  “You missed one,” Valek said.

  “Sorry, boss.” Endre strode over, snapped the manacles on the scamp and dragged him to join his associates.

  Valek gazed at the five with what Yelena called his cold killer expression. “Congratulations, your antics during the last couple seasons have caught my attention.” He waited a beat. “Do you know who I am?”

  They kept quiet.

  “Endre, tell them.”

  “You are Adviser Valek. The Commander’s assassin and right-hand man.”

  His name had the desired effect on all but one. Panic flared in four sets of eyes, but the scamp glared—a challenge.

  Valek said, “Tell me the plan for tonight.”

  They glanced at the scamp.

  “Don’t say a word,” he ordered them.

  Ah. The scamp was in charge. Valek drew one of his knives from his sleeve with his right hand while palming a dart with his left. He grabbed the closest thief by her arm and yanked her upright, pricking her with the dart. She squealed in fear.

  Placing his blade on her neck, he said, “Tell me the plan for tonight.”

  “You’re bluffing,” the scamp said. “It isn’t a crime to sleep in an abandoned building. You got nothing on us.”

  Valek stared at him a moment before returning his attention to the girl. “What’s your name?”

  “Sa...Sadzi.” Her eyes glazed.

  “You should have picked better friends, Sadzi.” He turned and stepped in front of her so he blocked her from the others. Drawing his knife arm back, he stabbed at her, sending the blade into the gap between her arm and side. The other girl screamed. Sadzi buckled as the sleeping potion kicked in. Valek grasped her shoulders, trapping the knife and keeping her upright as he muscled her out the door. He dumped her to the side, but her motionless boots remained visible to those inside.

  Valek pulled a bloodstained handkerchief from his pocket. He pretended to wipe blood from his hands when he returned to the others. Mikus’s mouth gaped, as shocked as the Storm Thieves.

  He waved the cloth at the door dismissively. “She soiled herself. Quite the stink.” Valek studied them one by one. The other girl burst into tears under his scrutiny. Yelena’s voice sounded in his mind, admonishing him for being mean.

  Sliding another knife from his pocket, Valek said, “Tell me the plan for tonight.”

  Terrified, they started talking at once, rushing to explain the plans.

  * * *

  Back at the station, they processed the thieves. The security officers searched them and gave them coveralls to wear before locking them in the cells.

  The scamp scowled at Valek when Endre laid the still-sleeping Sadzi on a bunk. “I knew you were bluffing.”

  Valek didn’t bother to reply. Instead, he checked on the preparations. Annika had arrived with the supplies and a seamstress. The older woman tsked and rubbed the knuckles on her right hand as he explained what he needed.

  “I don’t know if it’ll work,” she said.

  “That’s for me to worry about. Can you do it by supper?”

  “Yes.” She unrolled the bolt of black fabric on the conference room’s table.

  Captain Tahnee showed Valek what her staff had found. “They don’t look authentic.”

  “Leave that to me. Annika, did you get the clay?”

  “No one had clay, but I brought you quick wood. It’s a putty the fishermen use on their boats to plug small leaks. It hardens fast, so it should be good by tonight.”

  “Wonderful.” Valek pried the lid off the bucket. He gave everyone a job and then set to work on his own task.

  Around noon, Annika brought chowder for everyone. The spicy scent caused Valek’s stomach to cramp with sudden hunger. He hadn’t eaten since yesterday. After downing the chowder, he returned to work. The hours sped past.

  Endre interrupted Valek at supper time. The soldiers from the other towns had arrived. He gathered everyone in the conference room. Each town had sent five officers, which brought the total number of people available to ambush the Storm Thieves to eighteen—not counting the seamstress, who had finished her part and left. He hoped it would be enough.

  Valek explained the plan, picked people to fill certain roles, then set a schedule for small groups to leave for the rendezvous location. Satisfied with the progress, he resumed his assignment, completing the last item around sunset and four hours before the Storm Thieves landed.

  His group included Annika and Endre. They were the last to leave the station, leaving only Captain Tahnee to deal with any problems in Gandrel. Valek checked to make sure they had everything. No one said a word during the trip to the steer farm.

  Once they arrived, everyone knew what to do. They prepped and moved into position just as it started to rain.

  A thrill of excitement shot through him. The trap was set.

  * * *

  The storm raged, soaking Valek’s hair and clothes. The fishing boats banged and screeched against the wooden pilings as they pitched in their docks. Flags flapped in the strong wind, adding to the noise. Waves raced under the planks, sending up salty sprays when they collided with the support beams.

  Annika waited at the end of the pier. She watched for the Storm Thieves’ ship’s light. According to the teens in custody, the ship would appear during the height of the storm. It would tie up to the dock, lower the gangplank and the scamp and his crew would lead five stolen steers onto the ship. Then they’d raise the gangplank and cast off, with no one the wiser until morning.

  Valek acknowledged the beauty and simplicity of the Storm Thieves’ plan. He looked forward to interrogating their leader. Perhaps Valek would learn a couple new tricks.

  Two quick flashes of light pierced the darkness—Annika’s signal.

  “Get ready,” Valek said, and his order was relayed to the others.

  The four other teams of two pulled on their disguises. Valek and Endre draped the black cloth the seamstress had sewn around them.

  Annika appeared. “They’re close.” She wore Sadzi’s clothes and had styled her hair the same way as the girl. “Where’s the rope?”

  “Here.” Valek handed her the end. The lead was tied around the steer’s head. Or rather, the mask of a steer’s head that he wore. Not quite an exact replica. He’d done his best to make all five look lifelike, using bones from the butcher shop and the quick wood. Between the darkness and the storm, he hoped no one would spot the deception until it was too late.

  “Let’s go,” Annika said.

  Valek and Endre crouched over. Endre grasped Valek’s waist and they moved forward. Behind them, the other four teams should be doing the same. The “steers” were each led by a handler who wore one of the captured Storm Thieves’ clothes.

  Halfway down the pier, Valek spotted the ship. Lanterns blazed from its upper deck. Unlike the other boats rocking on the heavy seas, the Storm Thieves’ ship remained steady as if traveling over calm waters. A large commercial vessel, it was under full sail. An impressive sight.

  The white fabric of the sails caught a wind that wasn’t as strong as the storm’s. The magician not only controlled the sea, but the storm, as well. Talented.

  Annika slowed, keeping the small “herd” away from the lanterns’ bubble of light until the gan
gplank was lowered. The storm stopped, reducing the noise. The ship approached and four figures jumped onto the pier. Ropes flew over the gap and were secured to the pylons. Voices shouted an all clear and the gangplank eased toward the dock.

  “Sadzi, come on! Hurry!” a man called from the top of the gangplank.

  Annika kept her pace. When the thud of the plank hitting the pier sounded, she sped up. Two others joined the man. Valek drew his blowpipe. Behind him, Endre pulled his sword.

  Stepping into the light, Valek tensed as he encountered thick magic. He scanned the rigging and decks, counting opponents. The magician stood on the bow with her arms stretched to each side.

  Laughter reached them. “That has to be the ugliest-looking steer I’ve ever seen,” a man said. “Did you feel sorry for him, Sadzi?”

  Annika kept quiet.

  “Looks like he’s limping, as well,” another voice said. “Jibben isn’t gonna be pleased.”

  “They’re all walking weird. Did you hobble them, Sadzi?”

  “Hey, they’re not—”

  The jig was up. “Now,” Valek yelled, throwing off the fabric and yanking off his mask.

  The three men standing at the top of the gangplank stared at him in shock for a few seconds. Long enough for Valek to reach the gangplank. Behind him, he knew the others tossed off their disguises and pulled their swords. He couldn’t see it, but by the way the men in front of him blanched, gasped and finally cried an alarm, it must have been quite the sight. Valek grinned. He loved a good surprise.

  “Ambush!” one of the Storm Thieves yelled, drawing his sword.

  The magician dropped her arms and turned. Valek loaded his blowpipe and aimed at the closest man. Then he shot the other two in rapid succession. He yanked his sword, then rushed them, exchanging a few parries before they wobbled as the sleeping potion took effect.

  Yells sounded from the dock. Valek turned. Huge waves of water crashed over the pier, swamping his backup. Annika, Endre and two others had reached the gangplank, but the rest clung to the rope rails as whitecaps slammed into them. Valek had to neutralize the magician and stop the water attack.