by Howell, Rob
“Didn’t they offer?”
“Yes, and, in a sense, Ragnar promised me much of what they gave me when the first kidnapping happened here. Still, there’s been all this time sitting here since Honker was beaten. This way I can stay longer and not feel like I’m accepting Ragnar’s charity.”
She shook her head. “Oh, Sevener, whatever shall we do with you. Nothing for yourself?”
I chuckled. “Does having my shield rebuilt with imported ash count?”
She laughed. “Well, it’s at least extravagant. Why import the ash? Are the trees from around here not good enough for you?”
“I want the weight to match. That shield served me for years until the creature in the Bardheküülle destroyed it. I’d been just about to accept that I couldn’t get the right wood and have it rebuilt with wood from here, but now I don’t have to.”
She shook her head with what I hoped was fond exasperation. “Edward, you really don’t have any idea what to do with money, do you?”
We were laughing as Ragnar entered to exchange the empty shopska plates with tonight’s dinner, skewers of pork and vegetables seasoned with rosemary. Gabrijela enjoyed a sweet, red wine that I found too heavy in the heat of Achrida, so I simply drank lakewater with pomegranates.
I am sure that the dinner was as delicious as usual, but like Gabrijela, I just could not focus on it. My mind kept wandering away from the things before me and back to all the pieces of the puzzle.
Gabrijela indulged me, to a point, but when the time came for us to return to my room, she demurred. “I think, my dear, you’ll be sleeping with your thoughts rather than me, even if I happened to be in your bed.”
Startled, and then embarrassed, I nodded. “I’m sorry. You’re probably right. I don’t know why I can’t seem to focus tonight.” I smiled. “And you’re too amazing a woman not to get my full attention.”
“I may forgive you yet, Sevener.” She rose and kissed me hard for an eternity. “There’s something so you won’t forget what you missed tonight.”
I grinned wryly. “No fear of that. I’m just...”
“Hush, dear, I’ll see you next week.” With that, she kissed me again, though lightly this time, and took her leave.
I sat in the private room until Ragnar came in to clear the dishes.
“Why, I’m to be thinkin’ yer to’ve been sayin’ the wrong thing as she’s shown she’s to be mighty interested in to be stayin’ over the night. At least she wasn’t to be bein’ terribly upset as she’s to be leaving. I’m not one to be pryin’, a’course, but I’m still to...”
“Hush, Ragnar, you pry into everything, and we both know it.”
Ragnar laughed at my grumble, but let me be without even rambling about my silliness any more than he already had.
I stayed in the little room for hours and mumbled to myself. Periodically, someone came in to check on me. Zoe came in to fuss over me, which I appreciated but waved away nonetheless. Later, Maja came in asking if I had any task for her. She might have been arrogant, annoying, and impetuous, but she did not avoid work. I asked her to send Karah in with a pitcher of lakewater and pomegranate, but then relax for the rest of the evening.
I tried to do the same and let the answer flow into me. Of course, that did not work, and eventually I went to bed. My move simply meant I looked at the ceiling of my room instead of the wall of the little dining room, for I stayed awake most of the night.
The beams across the ceiling were no more forthcoming than the wall paneling, and when I did fall asleep I was no wiser.
Chapter 46
Morning, 28 Heamoanne, 1712 MG
“Wake up, Edward!”
I crept up from sleep to the pounding and voice at the door. “I’ll be down soon, Maja.”
“You’ll be the last one,” she snapped, and I heard her stomp away.
I fumbled into clothes and armor. Everything seemed just farther or nearer than my eyes thought they were. I stumbled going down the stairs, but leaned into the wall so I did not fall. Shaking my head in a vain effort to clear it, I entered the stables and received a wonderful surprise.
“Radovan,” I fairly shouted, my head suddenly clear.
He smiled and moved over slowly, still not fully recovered but obviously doing well. “I thought you’d sleep all day, sheep’s dick.”
Sebastijan stepped back from sparring with a Lakewarden I did not know to smile at that remark. He started towards us.
I ignored Sebastijan’s smirk to clasp arms with Radovan. “I take it you’re feeling better.”
“Gibroz’s Helper was a syngellos of Panteleimon. He actually knew what he was doing. Jovanka’s already started nagging at me to get out of the house.”
“Ah, the real reason you’re here today.”
He chuckled. “Yes. She’s persistent.”
“I’m glad to see you.” I looked him over critically. “How far along are you? Do you want to train some?”
“With you, sheep’s dick? I’d prefer someone who can give me a challenge.” He started laughing, which turned to coughing, and it was a moment before he could look at me. “Though maybe you’ll do for now.”
My concern showed through my chuckle, and Sebastijan interjected, “He’s going to be fine. Truly.”
Happier than I had been in weeks, I sparred with energy but little discipline. Svetislav, who had brought a squad up to practice, including the Lakewarden Sebastijan had been working with when I finally arrived, took advantage of nearly every mistake I made.
I did not mind, and in fact, his presence gave me an idea. “Svetislav, bring your men in for a bite afterwards, I need to talk to you and Sebastijan.”
Afterwards, as we ate, I explained my plan. I got the response I expected.
“You want to have Svetislav escort you to Gibroz, go in there without help, and then have some of us follow and hopefully turn around any ambush you trip by apparently returning alone?” Sebastijan shook his head in tandem with Svetislav.
Svetislav actually spoke, “Idiotic.”
Vojin muttered, “You’re a fool. How did Piri put up with you?”
“Even I know this is stupid,” snapped Maja.
“Maybe Gibroz will send the same Helper to pray over your body, you crazy sheep’s dick,” grunted Radovan.
I laughed. Maybe I was too euphoric at Radovan’s survival, but I knew I had a good plan. “Yes, yes I do. Think about it. They’ll only have what they can gather while I’m in Gibroz’s, because until Svetislav and his squad leave they’ll assume he’s escorting me back to the Faerie. So, unless they have a score available essentially at all times, we’ll be facing a fairly small number.”
Sebastijan started thinking. “With my three, there’s four to help.”
Vojin got up. “I’ll send two with you.”
“Not in uniform.”
“No, I’ll go tell those two to change right now.” He went over and two of the Feroun nodded and left the taproom.
“Six should be enough,” Sebastijan mused, “plus you, of course.”
“Seven,” Maja growled.
Sebastijan and I looked at her for a long moment.
“You’ll—” I started.
“Need to do whatever Sebastijan says. I know.”
“No arguing?”
“None.”
“No forgetting what you’re supposed to do?”
“None.”
“Sebastijan?”
“You’re the one at risk,” he said to me.
“Yes. And there’s no way to get experienced without the opportunity.” I turned back to Maja. “Fine, but if you don’t do whatever Sebastijan says without question, none of the Dassaretae regiments will ever take you, that I promise.”
She nodded.
“Then go get your gear.”
She nodded and left.
“What about you, Sevener?” asked Sebastijan.
“No armor. Nor my shield.” I lifted my sword. “I’ll take this and my saex, but that�
��s it. It can’t look like I’m prepared for an ambush.”
Sebastijan nodded. “We’ll also know your route.”
“Yes. I should come straight back by the shortest route.”
He drummed his fingers on the table. “Yesss…, I think that will be wisest.”
“You think I should take a more roundabout trail in order to make it look like I’m trying to avoid an ambush?”
“No, there’s an argument for that, but everything hinges on the Square of Legends anyway. That’s where I’d attack someone who I wanted to kill. With so many people around, it’ll be easiest to get someone close to you and then get away.”
“You still think this is a stupid idea.”
“Yes. I’m still not sure why you want to go to Gibroz’s anyway.”
“He and I need to talk. At the very least I need to thank him for Radovan.” I carefully did not tell him that I also hoped to apologize to Gabrijela while I was there.
“Then maybe I should walk with you openly.”
“That would be safer, but would it help us?”
He thought before answering. “Well, they’d be less likely to attack you.” He thought some more. “But if they attack you, and you survive, we’ll know more.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for.”
“If you survive.”
“That’s your job. I think my chances of survival are greater with your experience leading the following group.”
He sighed. “Probably, but I can’t help you quickly in the press.”
“Do you think anyone knows the Feroun?”
“Maybe not,” he admitted. “If they followed you closely in the Square of Legends they might be able to stop someone.” He rapped the table. “Yes, I’ll have them wait at Karlo’s.”
“I presume that’s another tavern?”
“No, it’s a stable just south of the Square of Legends. Karlo owes me a favor. He can have them work in front, so they can see the comings and goings.”
“We should send Vojin to tell them what to do now and have them leave immediately.”
At Sebastijan’s nod, I called Vojin over, explained that part of the plan, and he went off to pass on the orders. A few minutes later, the two ambled out of the Faerie.
“It’s a smart move, but if they attack before coming in sight of Karlo’s, they won’t be able to help.”
“But?”
“But the Square of Legends is the most dangerous point. You’re right, any attack will be small, and hopefully the other five of us can provide enough help quick enough to save your idiotic hide.”
With that, he got up and issued some orders to his men. They glanced at me and shook their heads. Anzhelko and Spiridon left immediately, while Veselko followed Sebastijan back to my table.
He stood quietly, waiting for Maja, who appeared in moments. “That’s as much as we can plan, so we’re going to leave now. We’ll be close when you need us.”
“I know, Sebastijan.”
With that, he, Maja, and Veselko left.
Radovan watched them go.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“You’re an idiot.”
“Possibly, but I can’t sit here when there’s a chance to do something.”
He looked at his hands. They trembled slightly.
“You can’t help now. You’ve done your job.”
He nodded, still looking down.
I leaned back and wondered what to say, but Svetislav came over before I could think of anything.
“Don’t do anything stupid, sheep’s dick.”
“More stupid than going in the first place, you mean?”
“Exactly.” He looked at me, waiting for a real answer.
“I won’t, Radovan, I promise.”
He nodded, and then went back to looking at his hands.
We left the Faerie with Svetislav’s Lakewardens surrounding me. In the Square of Legends, they cleared a path, and I walked across the square in what felt like a bubble on the crest of a wave.
We went down Siren’s Path towards the lake and the Stracara. I had been attacked on this road before, but nothing happened as we wove our way to Gibroz’s.
The ravaged man lifted an eyebrow when he saw me. “Gibroz will be surprised to see you,” he grated, and motioned me to follow him.
I entered the room, surprised to see it emptier than normal. Neither Suzana nor Markov sat at the round table. More surprisingly, Gabrijela was not there either.
“Your girl’s not fuckin’ here.” Gibroz chortled, and both Vladan and Andreyev laughed along with him.
“So I see.”
“It’s fuckin’ funny as hell that she likes you.” He shrugged. “She’s fuckin’ happy, and I like my fuckin’ people to be happy. Glad I fuckin’ told her not to charm you or anythin’ at the first. You’d fuckin’ never like her if she had.”
“You’re smarter than you look.”
“I fuckin’ am. But why the fuck are you here?”
“I wanted to thank you.”
He laughed. “Not many people ever fuckin’ do that. Why for?”
“Radovan is up and walking. He’ll live.”
“Who the fuck is Radovan?”
“Sebastijan’s man. You sent a Helper to him.”
“Oh, right. I fuckin’ pay my debts.”
“Yes, but it was important to me, so I wanted to thank you anyway.”
He waved it off.
“I also want to know if you’ve found out anything new.”
He bared his teeth. “I’ve fuckin’ found some things, and I’ve fuckin’ made sure the fishermen will be fuckin’ happy.” But he leaned forward. “But I ain’t fuckin’ found everythin’ yet. I know fuckin’ that.”
“So I should keep Honker where he’s at.”
“How the fuck should I know?”
“You still have questions, though?”
“Yeah, I fuckin’ do, but not for very much fuckin’ longer.”
“Good. I’m tired of this fuckin’ city.”
“It’ll be better with you fuckin’ gone.” He and his thugs laughed. “I’ll tell your girlfriend you came to fuckin’ visit. Now fuck off.”
I nodded my thanks and fucked off.
Chapter 47
Afternoon, 28 Heamoanne, 1712 MG
I nodded at the ravaged man, took a deep breath, and left Gibroz’s den. I did not see Sebastijan, Maja, or any of his men, but I did not expect to. I started walking briskly, not running or hurrying, but striding purposefully.
Despite Sebastijan’s declaration that the Square of Legends was the most dangerous spot on my return path, I never walked this particular stretch of road easily anymore. Only three short months ago, my friend Desimir was killed saving my life right here. The merchant in the shop the ambushers had used did not recognize me, nor did he understand why I glared at him. It was not his fault that he and his wife and children could not prevent a score of armed thugs from using his building, but I was still not entirely rational about that evening.
Anyway, I was fortunately alert as I walked towards the Square of Legends. I might not have noticed them otherwise, but I saw two men striding down the road. One had a charm with six legs jangling around his neck…
I had my sword drawn when they attacked. I lifted a thrust at the one to my left’s face, forcing him to duck and slow down, thus opening his friend’s leg to quick slice. I stepped back as I threw the shot, so I would slice deep enough to hobble him, while not risking my blade sticking in a bone.
He cried and halted, but his friend jumped at me as I was bringing my blade back into position. Frantically, I simply punched with the hilt at his charging head. I hit him with enough power to hurt my hand and send my sword flying. At the same time, his short blade went into my side and his charge knocked me down. I knew the wound was deep, but I ignored the pain.
Fortunately, my blow had stunned him and I had time to get my saex out, jab him solidly somewhere in his torso and stumble back to my feet for
the first man. He had hobbled up and was chopping down with his blade. I got my saex up just in time to block it, then returned the favor with a short, quick chop at his chest. It struck solidly, though not with great harm as it bounced off his ribcage. Still, it knocked him back for enough time for me to thrust my saex into his belly.
I looked around, knowing they would have had help. I saw Maja, Sebastijan, and his men in a cluster shielding me from six other attackers.
I moved to join in, switching my saex from my throbbing right hand to my left, but before I could reach them Maja and Anzhelko finished off the last two. We had been training hard for the last two months, and our skills showed the improvement.
Unfortunately, our skills might have been too good, as all of the attackers were dead, including the leaders. With a sigh, I cleaned my saex, sheathed it, and then did the same for my sword after retrieving it.
“Shouldn’t have killed them, Sevener.”
“I know, Sebastijan.”
He grinned at me. “Now, let’s get you back before anything else happens.”
“We should…”
“Not wait for Zvono and Kapric. They’ll eventually come to the Faerie. Everyone here can see a Sevener was involved. They’ll know it’s you.”
“They will at that. But I need to do one thing first.” I started searching the bodies, finding four of them with charms of a six-legged goat monster. Nothing else on their corpses was interesting, just dirty clothes, blades of poor steel, and small coins minted in Achrida.
That is when the pain hit me. I arched my back to stretch the wound out, but quickly fell to my knees.
“Should have also mentioned the blood wasn’t all theirs,” he snapped as pulled a strip of cloth out of a pouch. Roughly, he wrapped it around my torso to cover the small wound. “Anzhelko, Spiridon, help him walk.”
They lifted me up, and with their help, I walked as swiftly as I could. I felt the wound bleeding, especially as we pushed through the Square of Legends.
Apparently, Ragnar had stood outside the Faerie ever since I left, keeping watch. When he saw me come into view with a bloody side, he yelled into the Faerie and came down to help escort me.
