‘You two know each other,’ he accused, jabbing a finger towards them. ‘I want to know what is going on.’
Slave returned Slaaj’s stare and remained silent. Ileki fidgeted, but also remained silent.
Slaaj sighed and lowered his large, heavy head into his hands. ‘You still fight me,’ he said. ‘I don’t care that you shot that thug. He lost control in a training exercise and tried to kill Ileki. He’s finished here. How do you two know each other?’
‘We met in the vorbyndjaarge,’ Ileki started.
‘That is no surprise, almost everyone out there came from the vorbyndjaarge.’
‘He rescued me,’ added Slave.
Slaaj looked closely at Ileki. ‘You don’t come from the vorbyndjaarge. I don’t think you even come from Lac’u. You look more like you’re from C’sobra, which leaves me with another question: why would a C’sobran be living in the vorbyndjaarge? Certainly you are no fighter, so survival in there would have been difficult.’
Slaaj sat back in his chair and frowned at Slave. ‘And how could a man with no fighting skills rescue someone like you?’ A slow smile formed across Slaaj’s face. ‘You’re a Reader,’ he concluded. ‘No wonder you can’t fight. This does make things interesting.’ He rose from his seat and walked around to stand close to Ileki.
‘As a Reader, you are also a sorcerer. I always need sorcerers, and they always need personal bodyguards.’ Without taking his eyes off Ileki, he continued, ‘Slave, you are now permanently Ileki’s personal guard.’ He turned to regard Slave. ‘And I have a job for the two of you.’ Slaaj stalked out of the room and the two guards urged Slave and Ileki to follow him. He made his way along the corridor without checking to see if he was being followed, stopping before a set of double doors.
Slave watched as Slaaj unlocked the doors with a key hanging on a thin chain around his neck. The doors opened to reveal an open courtyard. Overhead the sun, which had shone brightly in a clear blue sky all day, was slowly sliding down in the west, ushering in a cool night. Standing in the courtyard was a young man dressed in fine clothing. He was with an older woman who was equally well dressed. At the sound of the opening doors, they turned to face Slaaj.
‘Ah, there you are, Slaaj,’ the woman said. ‘I was beginning to think you had forgotten us.’
‘No, not possible, Lan Dieals,’ Slaaj assured her. ‘I have found the perfect men for you.’
‘Excellent,’ Lan Dieals said. She flicked a glance at Slave and Ileki. Her eyes widened as she took in their scruffy appearance, then narrowed as she noted Slave’s face. ‘Better than excellent,’ she murmured. ‘Where did you find such a perfect pairing?’
‘That’s my job, Lan,’ Slaaj assured her smugly.
‘When can they start?’ Lan Dieals asked.
‘Let me get them cleaned up, then they can start as soon as you want.’
‘We will wait.’
Slaaj turned on his heel and gestured for Ileki and Slave to follow him. The doors were closed behind them by the two guards as Slaaj led them into a long bath chamber lined with tubs and cupboards.
‘Wash,’ he commanded them. ‘And I will tell you what is about to happen.’
Slave hesitated, but considering he was about to get an opportunity to escape this new slavery, complied. He stripped off his stinking clothes and lowered himself into one of the tubs of warm water. Ileki did likewise further down the room. Slaaj stood between the tubs where they were washing and started speaking.
‘The Lan and her son are regular users of my services. They like to patronise some of the less salubrious areas of our city, but they are cautious. They prefer to take a couple of my men with them on their jaunts. You will not have to do anything, the places they go are not as dangerous as the Lan thinks they are.’ Slaaj fixed Slave with a steely glare. ‘It is very early for you to go out on a job, but you will be followed by six archers. Show any sign of deviating from your role and you will both die instantly.’
Slave glanced across at Ileki, who suddenly looked afraid. He shook his head slightly to indicate he would not be putting him at risk, but was not sure his gesture was understood as Ileki seemed even more afraid as a result.
Slaaj continued. ‘I have chosen you two because I think you will make a good team. Slave, you can fight for two, and Ileki, you are to stay close to the Lan in the case of any danger, and cast some flashy spell that looks impressive. If it is actually useful, all the better. If things get dangerous, my archers are ready to deal. Is that clear?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good. Now you are to speak to the lady only when spoken to, and only refer to her as Lan; her son, likewise refer to him only as San. He will not speak to you, so it is unlikely you will have occasion to address him.’
Slave rose from his tub and went to put his clothes back on, but Slaaj stopped him.
‘No,’ he said. ‘You work for me now. You dress properly. The Lan does not want to be seen in the company of mercenaries, so no uniform, but you will dress appropriately.’
Slaaj went to the nearest cupboard and pulled out clothes for them both: leather trousers, dark linen shirts, black leather boots and long, dark cloaks with hoods. As he handed Slave his set of clothes, he grinned. ‘Probably best for you to have the hood up.’
Slave accepted the clothes and dressed quickly. When he was finished, he pulled up the hood.
‘My Claw.’ It was not a question, and Slaaj obviously understood.
‘I think so,’ he agreed. ‘Wait here.’ He left them alone in the washroom.
Ileki stared at Slave. ‘What will we do?’ he asked.
Slave shrugged. ‘Go along with the Lan and her son and keep them safe.’
‘Just like that? You will do as Slaaj says?’
‘I think so.’
‘Why?’
Slave gave Ileki a speculative look. ‘Something Slaaj said has made me curious. I want to find out more before I do anything.’
‘What did he say?’
‘What was a Reader — a sorcerer — doing in the vorbyndjaarge in the first place? Why did he help me? And how did he get captured?’
Slaaj returned with Slave’s Warrior’s Claw. Slave took it and tucked it into the waistband of his trousers.
‘You have a job to do. Go there, come back, make me money.’
Slave pulled the hood up over his head and he and Ileki followed Slaaj back to where the Lan and her son awaited.
When Slaaj opened the double doors, the Lan smiled.
‘Excellent. Shall we go?’
‘Lead on, Lan,’ Ileki replied.
The Lan swept away with her son in tow. Slave and Ileki took up their places just behind them, one either side. Once outside Slaaj’s enclave, they walked briskly through the busy streets. Slave found his attention divided between the noisy crowds and the Lan and her son. The noblewoman was haughty and elegant, apparently ignoring those around her who parted to allow her passage. The San trailed in her wake, but carried himself with confidence.
Slave was glad to be wearing the hooded cloak; it afforded him a level of anonymity he realised hewould not have had without it. His colouring would have marked him out almost as much as his scarring. Every face he saw was paler than his, and most eyes were the dark brown or hazel of Ileki’s. He pulled his hood tighter over his face.
The Lan strode through the press of people, leading them away from Slaaj’s enclave, shifting steadily with every corner into quieter and less populated streets until, by the time it was completely dark, they were alone in a darkened alley. Slave moved closer to the San, while Ileki eased a little closer to the Lan.
The sound of a footfall alerted Slave to another person sharing the alley with them. He gripped his Claw and slipped it out of his waistband as the follower approached them. Ileki looked quickly around to Slave and their eyes met in understanding. The sound of a second person approaching them from ahead reached Slave’s ears.
Ambush?
He risked a look over his sh
oulder and his suspicions were confirmed. The man coming towards them was armed. Slave stopped and turned to face him. He heard Ileki stop as well, bringing the Lan and her son to a halt.
‘You are risking a lot, Lan,’ the approaching man said.
‘Not as much as you,’ the Lan answered.
Another set of footsteps alerted Slave to a third threat, so he started to back towards the wall, urging the others to go with him, until all four of them were hard against the wall.
The three men came towards them confidently. Slave watched them carefully, selecting the middle one as the leader, the one on the right as the weakest and the one on the left as the strongest. All were armed with swords, but Slave noted all held them more like clubs than edged weapons.
Brawlers, not trained, Slave guessed.
Slave stepped forwards slightly, to attract their full attention.
‘Go now,’ he said softly. ‘No matter what these nobles have, it is not worth dying for.’
The leader in the middle chuckled malevolently. ‘I was about to say the same to you.’
Slave sighed, apparently distracted from the threat at hand. The man on the left took this as an invitation and attacked. Slave was expecting it and dodged the clumsy swing. As the attacker surged forwards, unbalanced by missing his target, Slave whipped his Claw up and across his throat. With a gasp of pain and shock, the man went down grasping his neck, the blood already soaking his chest.
Slave faced the remaining two men.
‘I warned you,’ he said. ‘Run away now and live.’
The leader stared down at the man dying at his feet and snarled. He raised his sword to point at Slave. ‘I will remember you,’ he barked.
Slave threw back his hood and stared at him. ‘Take a good look,’ he said.
Both remaining men cried out in alarm, threw down their swords and fled into the darkness. Slave watched them go before tucking his Claw back into his trousers.
The Lan stepped forwards and placed her hand on Slave’s shoulder.
‘Slaaj does not pay you enough,’ she whispered.
‘How do you know what he pays me?’ Slave asked brusquely, shrugging her hand off.
‘It doesn’t matter what he does pay you, it is not enough,’ she replied. ‘Here.’ She thrust a leather pouch into his hand. He took it and bounced it in his palm. It clinked and rattled. Slave assumed it contained coins, so he tossed it to Ileki. Let the Reader deal with it. Such things did not interest him.
‘Are you ready to continue?’ Slave asked.
The Lan stepped back in surprise before smiling. ‘Yes. Let us continue with our evening’s entertainment.’
They made their way deeper into the quiet, dark area before the Lan stopped at a closed door. She looked quickly around to make sure they were not being watched before knocking a complex rhythm on the door. It opened, allowing light to flood the alley, and the four of them entered.
Inside, Slave’s senses were assaulted by a range of smells he did not recognise. All around him, people lounged on comfortable chairs and padded benches, inhaling smoke through exotically shaped implements. Others moved through the room apparently attending to the needs of those smoking. Most of these others were scantily clad women, but there were a number of smoothly muscled young men as well.
The Lan stood, as if waiting to be noticed. It did not take long before one of the young womenapproached her with a broad smile. She bowed her head respectfully before looking up.
‘Your usual place, Lan?’ she asked.
‘Yes,’ the Lan replied. ‘And my two,’ she hesitated, ‘friends will require some distraction also. At my expense,’ she added.
‘Of course, Lan. If you will come with me?’ The young woman stepped aside and waved the Lan and her son forwards. When Slave and Ileki went to accompany them, they were stopped by another scantily clad woman.
‘You two come with me,’ she said.
Slave and Ileki followed as she led them out of the main room into another, smaller, more dimly lit room containing a number of naked men and women lounging on beds. As the door opened, all those inside scrambled to their feet.
The woman who had brought them in stood aside. She gestured at the arrayed people and smiled.
‘Take your selection,’ she said. ‘Only one each, though.’ With a final smile and a bow, she backed out of the room.
Ileki did not look at Slave as he stepped towards a petite redheaded girl. She bowed to him as he approached, before taking his hand and leading him away through a door opposite, leaving Slave alone, staring, wondering what he should do.
He stood in silence for a while before a tall slender woman with long black hair approached him.
‘Your first time?’ she asked.
‘Yes,’ Slave admitted, still unaware of what was supposed to happen.
‘Come with me,’ the woman said, taking Slave’s hand. She led him through the same doorway the redhead had taken Ileki, into a narrow corridor lined with doors. She went to the third on the right and pushed it open.
Slave entered a large, opulent bedroom, dominated by the biggest bed he had ever seen. Candles flickered around the room and bottles of various drinks stood on a low bench along one wall.
The woman led him inside and sat, or rather displayed herself, on the bed. Slave closed the door behind him.
‘Come and join me,’ she invited, patting the soft covers beside her.
Slave shook his head and leaned against the door, watching her.
‘You do know what to do, don’t you?’ she asked.
‘I do, but I am not sure I want to,’ he replied.
‘What would you rather do?’ she asked.
‘Talk, I think.’
The woman smiled, slid back along the bed and pulled a sheet over her body. ‘What would you like to talk about?’ she asked.
‘What is your name?’
‘Hekseri,’ she replied.
‘Am I right in assuming you are offering me sex?’
‘Yes.’
‘Why?’
Hekseri tilted her head to one side and frowned. ‘It is my job,’ she said.
Slave sat on the only chair and leaned forwards. ‘Tell me about Vogel,’ he said.
‘It is the capital of Lac’u.’
‘Is that all?’
‘What do you want to know?’
‘I don’t know, just tell me anything.’
‘It is a rich city, obviously, being on the coast. But,’ she added wryly, ‘not everyone shares in its wealth.’
‘Why is that?’
‘Are you stupid?’
‘No, I don’t think so.’
‘It is always the way of things: the rich have everything, the poor have nothing.’
‘And which are you?’
Hekseri looked around the room, then down at herself, naked beneath a sheet on a bed she did not own, and laughed. ‘What do you think? Do you think I would do this if I didn’t have to?’
Slave considered his answer. From her tone it was obvious she considered herself poor and her job demeaning, or at least unsatisfactory. Where did that leave him?
‘Have you heard of the underdwellers?’
‘Yes. It’s an old legend. Apparently after Rilamo destroyed Vogel, some creatures who live underground moved into an ancient labyrinth that is said to be beneath the city and have lived there ever since. It’s a tale mothers use to frighten naughty children, you know: be good or the underdwellers will come out at night and get you. That sort of thing.’
‘When did Rilamo destroy Vogel?’
‘Hundreds of Crossings ago. They invaded and mostly destroyed everything, but when they went back home, we rebuilt.’ Hekseri smiled a self-deprecating smile. ‘I don’t know much history.’
‘What do you know about C’sobra?’
Hekseri sat up, keeping the sheet over her chest. ‘C’sobra is over to the east. It’s on the coast too. That’s about all I know.’
‘Do you know anything about t
he Readers?’
‘Sorcerers.’ Hekseri shrugged. ‘You should ask your friend, he’s C’sobran, I would guess.’
Slave realised this was a chance to learn more about the world, possibly his only chance of being told something truthfully. There were so many things he wanted to know. But he was lost, with no real idea of what he should ask. As a slave, all he had wanted to do, all he had lived for was escape. Now he had done that, only to find himself in a different form of slavery, and still ignorant of his purpose. Maybe that is what I should ask.
‘What should I do with my life?’ he asked.
‘Get out of Vogel, go home, wherever that is, and raise a family,’ she said simply.
‘Why do you think Vogel is not my home?’
Hekseri laughed, a short, humourless sound. ‘Have you ever looked in a mirror?’
‘I have, just recently.’
‘Then you know. I have seen people from all over the world, and I have never seen anyone like you.’ She hesitated as if something had just occurred to her. ‘Do you know where you are from?’
Slave shook his head.
‘Family?’
He shook his head again. Silence descended as both of them sat back, with nothing to say.
‘How did you get those scars?’ Hekseri asked suddenly.
‘In a fight.’
‘What were you fighting?’
‘I don’t know. I have never seen or heard of anything like it.’
Hekseri’s eyes widened. ‘What did it look like?’
‘Black, like no light could ever brighten it. Claws; glowing red eyes. Stronger than you’d believe, and evil. It was like all the darkness of the underground had taken form and dwelt alone forever, festering, getting stronger.’
Hekseri shivered and pulled the sheet tighter around her body. ‘Where did you fight it?’
Slave held her gaze for a long time before pointing down to the ground. ‘Beneath the city, where I used to live.’
‘Are you an underdweller?’ Hekseri asked in a whisper.
‘No.’
‘How did you survive?’
Slave raised his hand to run his fingers along the scars on his face. ‘I am not sure I did,’ he replied softly.
Hekseri frowned, obviously struggling with his words. Finally, she shook her head as if dismissing the paradox.
Slave of Sondelle: The Eleven Kingdoms Page 15
