“How long had we been here?” asked Finn.
“Four days.”
“Four days!” Finn was stunned. “Is there any news of Anna? A black-haired Tarmian girl?”
“Not that I have heard.”
“What about an eldon called Severus? Tall and has a long scar down his cheek...”
“Sorry, nothing.”
“We’ll find them, lad,” said Karok. “But we’ll need weapons.”
“There’s no one here except an old man and woman and they took off when they saw me climbing over the wall.” He grinned, showing an almost complete set of white teeth. “I guess my cutlass unsettled them.”
Before they finished eating, Jobes took off to find their equipment. He returned sometime later carrying an armful of steel, namely Karok’s plate armour and his two-headed battle axe and Finn’s green cloak. Jobes informed Finn that there was no sign of a black sword. The eldon thought as much. There was no way Wolfgang would leave that behind. Jobes handed Finn a sturdy sword of simple design.
The dwarf donned his armour and the three of them headed out of the main building and across the courtyard to the front gates. Jobes and Karok lifted up the draw bar and pushed the gate open. The sailor led them down the hill to a small boat with one mast.
Karok looked at it sceptically. “How does that little cork float?”
Jobes didn’t appear offended. “It’s small, but it’ll get us back to port safe enough.” He pushed it off the rocky beach and his two passengers climbed in. Jobes gave the little boat a shove and jumped in. He raised an off-white sail that had been patched many times and pointed the small craft toward the mainland. Once the wind caught the sail, the boat accelerated through the surf, spraying salt water over its occupants. Finn felt a little queasy as the small boat bobbed up and down on the waves. His thoughts turned to Anna. With Jobes rescuing them, he now had the opportunity to save her...and to end this nightmare once and for all. He would kill the master.
Chapter 13
It was after sun down that the small boat slipped into the harbour. Jobes steered it skilfully amongst the larger moored vessels and stopped at a small jetty not far from the main merchant docks. The sailor explained that these jetties were not often patrolled by the city’s officials and were more often than not, used by smugglers. Finn looked at the man in a different light. Jobes shrugged.
After tying the small boat, Jobes led them along the jetty’s rickety wooden boards and into a quiet street. There was no one about, the streets were totally deserted.
“It’s still early, where is everyone?” asked Finn as his keen eyes scanned their surroundings. Even the nearby buildings looked dark, with only a few lights showing behind drawn curtains.
“There’s a curfew,” replied Jobes. “It’s one of Tollis’s new orders.”
“And the people tolerate this?”
“No one has seen the king for days. The rumour is he’s dead.” Jobes’ eyes never stopped moving. He looked nervous. “And besides, Tollis has the backing of the army and his second in charge, Lord Wolfgang, is head of the secret service and spy network. It would be suicide to stand against them.”
Finn’s mind raced. If Tollis had overthrown the king, he would probably be in the palace...and so would Anna. Who would help him? Finn looked at the broad dwarf. Axe in hand, the bearded dwarf always looked ready for a fight. Karok? Yes, he will help, but what about Severus? Of course he will help his son, but only if they could find him. Prince Anthon? No. He was Tollis’s nephew and a stooge. Princess Maria? She had helped Anna before and she might again. The princess might be their only hope of any assistance here. Garm? It seemed like a life time ago that Finn last thought about his younger brother. He would help, but he’s too far away.
Jobes gave Finn a small money pouch and shook the eldon’s hand. Finn thanked him for all his help and the man seemed relieved that they didn’t ask him for anything further. He was a sailor after all, not a soldier. Jobes quickly explained where they were and how to get back to the city’s more populated areas.
“Good luck, my friends,” said Jobes and he disappeared into an alley.
“Well, lad, what now?”
What now? That was a good question.
The dark and empty streets were eerie as the pair made their way back to the main dock district. It was the last place they saw Severus and the best location to find him again. With a quick glance around the street, they entered the tavern they had previously visited. The tap room went silent and all stared at them. Karok surveyed the room, but none could hold his gaze for long before looking away. It was not wise to make an enemy of an armoured dwarf with a battle axe strapped to his back.
They bought food and drinks with Jobes’ money and found a quiet corner and waited. Earlier than normal, people left the tavern either singularly or at most, in pairs. The curfew. There hadn’t been a curfew here for...ever, that the locals could remember. People were scared and no one knew what was happening.
In a short time, they were they only patrons still seated in the tap room. The barman looked over at them, giving Finn the impression that he wanted them to go. Finn indicated to Karok that maybe they should leave. But the dwarf’s armour creaked as he shrugged his shoulders. “Where to?”
Where indeed? They needed to get in contact with the princess, she was their only hope. If the princess wouldn’t help, she might at least know where Anna was being held.
The morning was a better time to go calling on a princess than the middle of night. There was no need being caught and executed as a thief. At first light they would seek an audience with the princess and formulate a rescue plan from there. For now, Finn required rest. He had not recovered enough to be totally effective. No doubt, more bloodshed was ahead.
Finn asked the barman for a room and they retired for the night. Karok insisted on taking watches, but Finn didn’t see the need. No one knew they were in the city. Tollis and Wolfgang wouldn’t give them a second thought and if they did, they would think they were still rotting in the cells on the island.
A scraping sound woke Finn from a deep sleep. He sat up in the lumpy bed and glanced over at Karok sharpening his axe across his knees. It was still early but the dwarf already wore his plate armour. He needs a hobby.
“You didn’t wake me for my watch,” Finn said.
“You needed the sleep more than me,” the dwarf replied without stopping his task. “I’ll get plenty of rest when my time is up.”
That’s a sombre thought. Finn swung his legs out of the bed and rubbed the back of his head. He still felt weary, but a lot better than yesterday. He stood and quickly dressed, clipping on his warden’s cloak. His duty as a warden...he had almost forgotten his allegiance he swore to the Tarmian throne. It felt so long ago now, like someone else’s life.
“I am starving,” Finn said as he gazed out the room’s only window. He looked unseeing at the dilapidated buildings across the narrow street. “How about breakfast?”
Karok stopped his task and studied his eldon companion from under his bushy eyebrows. He nodded slowly and without a word, stowed his sharpening stone in his thick belt and placed his heavy battle axe in its harness on his back. He looked ready for whatever challenges they would face. Finn wished he was half as confident as his companion.
After eating a watery meal the barman called stew, they found themselves on the docks again. The smell of salt water and fish filled the air and Finn breathed deeply. The docks were as busy as they had been days before and there was no indication of the city’s curfew. There were people everywhere, moving goods to and from the many ships lined up alongside the half dozen jetties that stretched far out into the water. Tollis was not letting his curfew get in the way of commerce.
The pair stood against a shop front and Finn watched the wall of faces pass by—all were human faces. There was not an eldon amongst them. No Severus.
“How long do we wait for him?”
Finn slowly surveyed the crowd again. “N
ot too long...he is not here.” A lump formed in the young eldon’s throat. Just when he found his father, he was gone again... “Do you think—”
“No. Your father is made of sturdy stuff...for an eldon that is.”
Finn returned Karok’s steely gaze, but didn’t feel so sure. They had been back in the city for one night—more than enough time for his father to find them. He was a master assassin after all.
Chapter 14
They found themselves back opposite the royal palace, staring at its imposing high walls and its opened gates. Twenty armoured guards equipped with long halberds stood at the gates and checked everyone entering. How do we get in? Finn could see no obvious answer. They would require a fool proof plan, but at that moment he couldn’t think of a single reason why a dwarf and an eldon needed to see the princess of Krystoria—if she was in there. He was sure they would be detained by the guards and possibly executed.
“We’ll have to fight our way in,” said Karok, adjusting the axe on his back.
“I vote for sneaking in.”
The dwarf seemed a little disappointed. “I’m not built for tip-toeing around like a pixie or climbing walls like a lizard.”
“We better think of a better plan then.”
It was almost midday when a laden wagon was stopped at the palace gates. The gate guards climbed on the back on the wagon, opening and checking inside the boxes it carried. The guards were thorough, and when satisfied, the wagon was waved through.
“We’ll have to hide on a wagon,” said Finn.
“I don’t think I’ll fit in a box.”
“You’re probably right...what about a barrel?”
“What?” Karok shot Finn a dangerous look.
Finn and Karok walked along the docks in search of the Sea Harvest. They didn’t know anyone in the city except Jobes. They hoped the sailor would know some way of getting them aboard a wagon entering the palace. It was a long shot, but Finn felt their time was running out and he was becoming desperate.
“Over there.” Karok pointed to the Sea Harvest moored several births away. The sails were down and stowed below and there was no one on deck.
“Looks like no one’s home,” said Finn as they stopped at the foot of the gangplank. “Should we go aboard?”
“Why not?”
Finn led and walked up the gangplank and onto the deck. Rope was coiled into neat circles and everything looked to be in its right place. The seagulls drifted on the air currents high above and competed with the noise from the busy docks. Men shouted back and forth as they loaded or unloaded their cargo. Sweat glistened on the bare backs as men unloaded barrels of fresh fish onto the jetty.
“Ooi! What are you doing on my ship?”
A bearded man in a wide-brimmed hat stepped out of the ship’s cabin. It was the Sea Harvest’s captain and his hand rested suggestively on a heavy cutlass at his waist. He glared suspiciously at them both.
“It’s just us, Captain,” said Finn quickly. “We’re looking for more work.”
“Are you?” The captain recognised them, but left his hand on his sword. “Didn’t we leave you on that island? Never mind, I don’t want to know. We have no cargo today or tomorrow.”
“Thanks,” replied Finn. “Is Jobes around?”
“No, it’s his day off and this late in the day the boys are probably drinking in a tavern. You could try the Shoe and Anchor.” The captain signalled the end of the conversation by disappearing back into his cabin.
Finn followed Karok as he pushed his way through the crowded dock. This was the busiest place Finn had ever been and he didn’t like it. People were in a hurry to complete their work before sun down.
Give me mountains any day.
“Are dwarven cities like this?”
“No,” grunted the dwarf as he stepped around a fresh pile of horse manure. “Dwarves have more manners than humans. Besides, it pays not to upset a dwarf carrying an axe.”
Point taken.
Finn stood in the tavern doorway and scanned the Shoe and Anchor’s taproom. It seemed that sailors enjoyed smoking pipes as most of the tavern’s patrons had one, adding grey smoke to the heavy haze hanging beneath the low ceiling. Jobes sat in a corner with others of his profession, drinking from clay steins. He looked in a good mood as he laughed loudly at some unheard joke. His face lost its merriment as he spied Finn and Karok approaching.
“Greetings, Jobes,” said Finn. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“Yes, it’s a strange coincidence.”
“May we join you and your friends?”
Jobes still wasn’t smiling, but indicated for them to sit. His fellow sailors looked at the two newcomers with suspicion. One was from the Sea Harvest and the other two were unknown to Finn. No one spoke for an uncomfortable time and Finn felt the others study him and the dwarf every time they took a drink. It would be impossible to discuss their business here.
“Jobes, may we have a moment of your time?” asked Finn.
“Take as many as you like.”
“I meant, can we talk...outside?”
“I see.” A look of dread came over Jobes’ face and he ran his hand down his unshaven face. “That’s why my father always said, ‘Never help anyone. It’ll always come back to bite you on the arse.’” He stood and his stool scraped across the uneven flooring. “Come on, let’s go outside.” He walked to the door. “I’ll be back,” he said over his shoulder to his drinking companions, but they didn’t hear him.
Outside the tavern’s entrance, Jobes pointed to a side street and they moved out of the main thoroughfare. The sailor walked a dozen paces down the off street and turned, placing his hands on his hips. He waited for Finn or Karok to say something.
“Well...I, I mean...” said Finn.
“You need my help again. Is that right?”
“Your help or just some guidance.”
“This is going to be interesting. So, what do you need?”
“We want to sneak into the palace and we need your help.”
“You what? The palace?” Jobes’ face displayed his disbelief. “That’s impossible. You would have more chance of being the next high priest of Krystoria.”
“I told you he was too proud to take dwarven gold.” Karok grabbed Finn’s arm and turned back to the busy street.
“Hold on.” Jobes moved to block their path. “I didn’t say I wasn’t going to help. Just that it was impossible.” He was smiling like an undertaker after a battle. “How much gold are you talking about?” The wealth of the dwarves was legendary, although Finn had not seen Karok with any money.
The dwarf put his hand firmly on Jobes’ shoulder. “Let’s just say, how would you like to buy the Sea Harvest, or something a little larger?”
The sailor smiled and he too put his hand on Karok’s broad shoulder as though they were old friends. “Tell me the details, sir dwarf.”
Finn was unsure where they would find the gold to pay Jobes, he certainly had nothing but the clothes on his back and the stolen sword hanging from his belt. Maybe the princess could pay the sailor after all this was over and Anna was safe. Would Jobes be so helpful if he had to wait for his money? He did rescue them from the island, maybe he would help again.
Chapter 15
Anna’s surroundings were a lot more comfortable than what she endured on the master’s island. The luxurious bedroom she now occupied was well-appointed with thick carpets, large paintings adorning every wall and expensive, well-crafted furniture. It was fit for a princess. A princess yes, but she was still a prisoner and Tollis was still her jailer. Anna knew that no one would know that she was in the royal palace. Could she get a message to the king or Princess Maria? Would they care? She hoped so.
She absently rubbed at the red marks made by the silver manacles securing her wrists and stared longingly through an open window at the sinking sun, low in the sky. Her ankle was anchored to the wall by another silver chain, two yards long. It rattled as she moved. It was just long enough tha
t she could reach the four-poster bed on which she now lay, a chamber pot and a small table with a jug of water and a tray of seasonal fruit.
No one had entered the room that day, except a soldier who left the food this morning. He refused to speak to her or even acknowledge her. The soldiers were not physically cruel to her, but ignoring her was torture enough. She could gain no information about what was happening around her or the outside world. Today, she pleaded with the soldier to tell her what day it was, but even that was held from her. How long had she been captive now? A week? A month? It was hard to tell, she had been drugged for so long that she had no clue of the date.
Anna could still taste drugs in everything she ate or drank. She smiled knowingly. It didn’t affect her one bit and they were aware of it. They changed the strength and the type of drugs trying to find something that worked, but to no avail. In fact, even though the silver nullified her powers, she could feel herself getting stronger.
If I get free of these chains...
Footsteps warned her that someone approached her prison bedroom. May be it was the soldier with the evening meal... A little early. A bad feeling crept over Anna and she shivered. She could sense—
The door swung open suddenly, causing Anna to jump. The high mage Eichmann stood in the doorway, his orange robes flowing about his lean body. A smirk touched his lips as he looked down cruelly at her lying on the bed. Embarrassed and more than a little scared, she stood quickly and straightened her clothes. Over the days she was being drugged she could feel her power growing, but it was nothing compared to this man’s. A magical force flowed from him like water. She could see it and she could feel it buffer her senses. It was almost a physical force, pushing her away from the mage as he stepped into the room. The silver chain pulled tight, restricting her as she moved away from him. She wanted to run and hide.
The Warden and the Shadow Queen: The Warden Saga Book 3 Page 7
