by David Wells
Captain Raisa was a good host and a skilled seaman. His crew treated Alexander and his friends with respect and did their best to make them feel welcome. On the afternoon of the fifth day at sea, the lookout in the crow’s nest called out that a ship was approaching. Alexander and his friends came up on deck armed and ready for a fight. There was no telling whether Commander P’Tal had reacquired their location. All Alexander knew for certain was that the General Commander of the Reishi Protectorate was relentless and resourceful.
Isabel opened her eyes and smiled. “It’s flying the flag of Southport and headed right for us.”
“Captain Raisa, lower your sails and raise a flag of truce,” Alexander said. “Let them come alongside so I can talk with their captain.”
An hour later they were sailing toward Southport with a warship as escort. The Southport captain was initially wary but offered his services without hesitation once he saw that Alexander carried the Thinblade. The songs and stories of Alexander and his achievements, written by Jack and distributed throughout Ruatha by his bards, were paying off.
Southport was a different city than it had been the last time he was there. It was now on a war footing and making preparations for battle with Kai’Gorn. A sense of purpose filled the air, the docks were orderly and well cared for, the streets were cleaner, and people who couldn’t find work before were now gainfully employed making ready for the coming battle to the south.
The residence of the Regent of Southport was built on the highest point in the city, which happened to be a bluff overlooking the port. Alexander and his friends made their way from the docks to the fortress, winding up one staircase after another while accompanied by a squad of Southport city guard and Captain Raisa.
They arrived in the western courtyard just as the Regent was coming out of the keep, trailing a number of functionaries and petty nobles behind him. He smiled warmly, yet Alexander saw in a glance that he was not an honest man but an opportunist who relished power and would do what was necessary to hold on to it. Alexander also knew in that glance that the Regent was probably responsible for ordering the city guard to help the Reishi Protectorate hunt him down when he fled Valentine Manor. Under different circumstances he might have taken action against the Regent, but right now he just needed a fast ship to take him to the Reishi Isle, and he didn’t want to risk a delay for the sake of replacing one self-serving official.
“Welcome to Southport, Lord Alexander,” he said. “I am Regent Landon. Had I known you would be visiting, I would have made better preparations. I apologize.”
Alexander decided to play it smooth and avoid revealing any hint that the Regent’s power might be in jeopardy. He smiled and offered his hand. “No need, Regent Landon, you couldn’t have known we would be visiting. And regrettably, we won’t be staying long. I have a task of great urgency that I’m hoping you can help me with.”
“Of course, Lord Alexander,” Landon said. “Anything we can do to help. Perhaps we should adjourn inside and discuss your needs over a meal.”
Alexander smiled again. “That would be most welcome.” He introduced his friends as they made their way into the keep and to the dining room. The place was gaudy and overly decorated with expensive-looking artwork and furniture but it failed to create the impression of grandeur that the simple white marble halls of Glen Morillian or the ancient artwork of the palace of New Ruatha had so easily accomplished.
Alexander took the chair at the head of the table and motioned for Isabel to take the chair to his right. Regent Landon seated himself to Alexander’s left, and while he was outwardly gracious, Alexander could see irritation in his colors. Landon was a man who wanted to be the most important person in the room and he wanted everyone else to know it. Deferring to Alexander was an ordeal for the self-serving Regent, but Alexander didn’t really care. He had more important things to deal with.
The meal was excellent and quite satisfying. Servants began bringing platters of food the moment the Regent took his seat. They served thick slabs of well-seasoned, tender, juicy roast beef; roasted potatoes; and freshly baked bread with rich yellow butter. They made small talk during the meal because Alexander and his friends were more interested in eating than talking once the aroma of the hearty fare reached them and set their stomachs to grumbling.
Alexander sat back, feeling much better after his meal, and drained his flagon of wine. He took a deep breath and sighed contentedly. “Thank you, Regent. My compliments to your chef. That was an excellent meal.”
Lucky nodded happily past a mouthful of crusty bread slathered with butter.
Regent Landon smiled at the praise. “My chef is the finest in all of Southport.”
“I have no doubt,” Alexander said. “I only wish I was staying long enough for him to demonstrate his skills at their finest.”
“Oh, Lord Alexander, with a few days of preparation, he can create a feast worthy of a king,” Landon said, clearly enjoying the attention.
Alexander smiled with a sigh. “I’m afraid I’ll be leaving tomorrow at first light. For now I have a number of things I need to discuss with you. First, I’ll need a warship for my journey, the fastest you have that can be ready to sail with the sunrise.”
Regent Landon frowned slightly at the request but nodded quickly to disguise his reluctance to part with one of his best ships. “Of course, I will tell Captain Targa to make ready for departure tomorrow morning. May I ask how long you’ll need his services?”
“Hopefully for only a couple of weeks,” Alexander said. “Second, please provide Captain Raisa with the sum of five hundred gold sovereigns for his service. You will be reimbursed by the treasury of New Ruatha.”
If the demand for a ship made the Regent frown, the request for gold made him cough and sputter for a moment before he regained his composure.
“Please forgive me, I swallowed wrong,” he lied. “I will have the sum you’ve requested made ready for Captain Raisa immediately.”
“Excellent,” Alexander said. “Have the Rangers arrived from New Ruatha yet?”
“Yes, in fact they arrived just yesterday,” Landon said. “They’re camped in the pasture north of the city.”
Alexander and Isabel shared a look and a smile. “Please send a rider to the commander of the legion and ask him to join us here, right away.”
“Of course,” Regent Landon said as he snapped at a servant and sent him off to deliver orders to the commander of the watch.
Alexander leaned forward with greater seriousness. “Are your forces ready to move?”
Regent Landon looked a bit surprised by the question but he answered quickly, “I have two legions prepared for battle. They can move on very little notice. Additionally, Highlands Reach has sent two legions; they are camped southeast of the city.”
“Very good,” Alexander said. “We’ve just come from Kai’Gorn. The magistrate and his brother are dead. A legion of Andalian Lancers is occupying the surrounding area and the city is in turmoil. Kai’Gorn is vulnerable and leaderless—now is the time to attack. Please summon the commanders of your forces and the legions from Highlands Reach so we can discuss the campaign.”
“Of course, Lord Alexander, but are you sure that’s wise?” Landon tried to ask diplomatically. “After all, rumors of Magistrate Cain’s death may not be true and the Andalian Lancers are fearsome warriors. Would it not be better to let them come to us and defend rather than overextend ourselves by an attack?”
Alexander shook his head slowly. “No, Andalia continues to send more Lancers. As long as Kai’Gorn is a friendly port, the enemy will grow in strength. We need to stop them sooner rather than later. As for the magistrate, I’m pretty sure he’s dead,” Alexander said wryly.
“Can you be certain?” Landon asked. “Cain is a consummate liar. He may be trying to lure you into a trap.”
Alexander fixed Landon with his glittering gaze. “I’m sure he’s dead because I took his head myself.”
Regent Landon sat up a b
it straighter. Alexander saw fear flash through his colors. It looked like he was trying to discern if he was in danger. He made a mental note to have Jack do some asking around to see if Landon had made other deals that might put his plans in jeopardy.
Alexander sat back a bit and relaxed to diffuse the tension he’d created. “Cain wasn’t very hospitable. He had me tortured, and he threatened to give my wife and sister to the Lancers for sport. His death was justice.”
Landon feigned indignation. “I knew he was a tyrant but I had no idea he was such a monster. With him gone, you’re right, of course. Now is the time to attack. It will take an hour or so for the commanders to arrive. Perhaps you and your friends would like to rest. Your quarters are ready and my staff will provide anything you require.”
“Thank you, Regent. It would be nice to get cleaned up,” Alexander said. “It’s been a long journey.” He stood and turned to Captain Raisa.
“You and your crew have my gratitude, Captain. If you choose to return to Kai’Gorn, take caution. It’s going to be a dangerous place for a while.”
“I was thinking about giving my men shore leave for a couple of days here in Southport, if that’s all right with Regent Landon, of course.”
Landon smiled graciously. “Of course, of course, you are most welcome. We have many fine establishments that are always eager for new customers.”
As they followed Landon’s aid to their quarters, Alexander sent his thoughts to Chloe. “Little One, I need you to spy on Regent Landon for me while we wait for the commanders to arrive.”
“Of course, My Love,” she said in his mind and flitted away through the aether without notice. She’d been hiding in plain sight since they arrived. Alexander was wary of revealing her presence to anyone he didn’t trust—first because she was perhaps the only one alive who could retrieve the Sovereign Stone and second because he loved her and didn’t want any harm to come to his new companion.
Chapter 37
Their quarters were lavish and well appointed, but Alexander got the impression the décor was more to demonstrate the importance of Regent Landon than to make his guests comfortable. He silenced his friends from discussing their strategy or destination for fear that spies were watching. He didn’t trust Landon and was becoming more and more certain that the Regent had an agenda of his own.
Instead he took advantage of the opportunity to get cleaned up and rest for a few minutes while he listened for Chloe in his mind. He had just pulled on his trousers after a quick bath when he heard her voice, trembling with fear.
“Darkness comes,” she said.
Alexander felt fear for a moment before it was overshadowed by anger. He was coming to understand that there were precious few people who gravitated to positions of power that could be trusted.
“Do not risk yourself, Little One,” Alexander thought to her urgently.
“I’m not in danger,” she said. “Send me your mind and I will show you the darkness.”
Alexander wasn’t sure what she meant but he sat down, closed his eyes, and entrusted himself to her. In a flash he was looking through her eyes and hearing through her ears. He imagined that this was what it must be like for Isabel when she looked through Slyder’s eyes. Then he saw the demon.
He recognized it immediately. He’d seen it twice before, once in Southport when he’d fled his home and again at Blackstone Keep when the scourgling had arrived. It was only a foot and a half tall with leathery grey-black skin, sharp teeth, and hateful yellow eyes. Its batlike wings beat furiously to keep it hovering at eye level with Regent Landon.
Landon did his best to smile at the little monster but it was clear he wasn’t comfortable. “Prince Phane will be pleased to learn that the pretender will not live through the day,” he said. “I’ve already sent orders to my best assassin. He’ll strike within the hour.” Landon smiled, clearly pleased with himself.
“Master sends new instructions,” Kludge said in his raspy and simpering voice. “Do not harm the pretender. Send him on his way. Master has other plans.”
Landon looked suddenly alarmed, almost on the verge of panic. “But I’ve already given the order. He may already be dead.”
Kludge wrung his clawed little hands and smiled with malice. “If he dies, you will die slowly. Call off the attack and let him leave unharmed. Master commands it.”
Landon’s eyes grew wide and he bolted for the door, shouting for his administrator. Alexander snapped back to his body and called for Chloe to return to him. A moment later she spun into existence in a ball of scintillating light right next to him.
Alexander burst from the bathing room with his sword in hand. “Assassin,” he shouted. Anatoly was on his feet with his axe in hand scanning for danger in an instant. A moment later everyone else was up and looking for the threat.
Alexander scrutinized the large sitting room at the center of the guest chambers, looking for the telltale colors of a living aura. He was a fraction of a second too late. His warning had forced the enemy’s hand. A small slot opened in the wall and the tip of an arrow showed through.
Isabel heard the sound of the slot opening and whirled to see the enemy. She dove just as the arrow was released. It was a clean shot. It would have caught Alexander full in the chest. Without his armor, it would probably have killed him. Instead, Isabel took the arrow in her left shoulder, the glass arrowhead filled with poison shattering into the wound. She screamed as it hit her and then toppled to the floor. Anatoly tossed a knife at the slot in the wall but the assassin was gone.
Alexander raced to Isabel’s side. She was shock white and shivering. “I’m so sorry, Isabel. Please hold on. Lucky will save you.” He hastily wiped tears from his cheek. “I love you.”
Isabel forced a smile. “I love you too, Alexander,” she said through the pain. “Now let Lucky work on me and go find that assassin.” She put her hand on his cheek and wiped away fresh tears.
Lucky was there a moment later. “Stand aside, Alexander. I need room to work.” Alexander stood up with a building feeling of panic growing in his chest.
Anatoly grabbed him by the arm and pulled him away from Isabel. “Turn it to anger. We’re still in danger. Lucky will do everything that can be done for her.” Before Anatoly could say more, there was an urgent knock at the door.
Jack looked over to Abigail who nodded while nocking an arrow. Jack opened the door to find Regent Landon standing in the hall with a terrified look on his face.
“Lord Alexander, I’ve just learned of a plot against you,” he said in a rush, then he saw Isabel and realized he was too late. “Oh, Dear Maker, I’ll send for my personal physician at once,” he said entering the room with his aid and two guards.
Alexander turned his glittering gaze on the Regent. Landon froze in midstep. When his two guards saw the murderous look in Alexander’s eyes, they both drew their swords and tried to place themselves between Alexander and the Regent. Landon and his aid turned and ran. The first guard fell from Abigail’s arrow, which drove through his throat and into the wall behind him. Jack slipped up behind the second soldier, put a knife to his throat and pulled him out of the way as Alexander bolted through the door with Anatoly on his heels.
He looked down the hall to see the Regent and his aid fleeing just as Kevin and three Rangers turned the corner. At first glance, Kevin smiled when he saw Alexander, then he saw the Thinblade drawn and the Regent running away and he drew his sword.
“Stop them!” Alexander commanded.
Without hesitation, the four Rangers fanned out across the wide hall, blocking the Regent’s escape. He came to a cautious stop and looked around in a panic like a trapped rat. As Alexander approached, the aid tried to place himself between Alexander and the Regent, brandishing a knife in warning. Alexander cut the man’s hand off with a flick of the Thinblade and then drove the blade straight through Regent Landon’s shoulder with the flat of the blade horizontal. Landon screamed. Alexander grabbed him by the collar to keep him from falli
ng and bore into him with the glittering fury of his golden-flecked eyes.
“What’s happened, Lord Alexander?” Kevin asked.
Without looking at his brother-in-law, Alexander answered, “An assassin just shot Isabel with an arrow.” Both Kevin’s and Landon’s faces went white. “Regent Landon here sent the assassin to kill me by Phane’s order, but Isabel threw herself in the arrow’s path. She saved my life.” Landon started to tremble from the pain and fear as Alexander held him up with the blade of his sword.
Kevin turned and gave one of the Rangers a nod. He bolted down the hall at the silent command. Alexander ignored everything around him except the man on his blade.
“How long have you been in league with Phane?” Alexander asked. When Landon hesitated, he turned the blade slightly and the man screamed. “I’ll know if you lie to me,” Alexander growled.
“Please, don’t! Phane said he’d make me King of Ruatha if I helped him. I’ve been working for him since you came to Southport just a few days after he woke. I didn’t want to, but he threatened me. I’m afraid of him,” Landon said, breaking down into tears. Alexander saw fear in his colors but no remorse. The man was as self-serving as he was dishonest, even under stress.
“Why did Phane change his orders?”
Landon’s eyes registered surprise. “How . . .” Alexander turned the blade of his sword again and Landon screamed.
“Answer me!”
“I don’t know. Please, you have to believe me. I don’t know. He doesn’t tell me his plans. He just sends orders and threatens me if I fail. Please don’t kill me. I don’t want to die.” Even through the pain and fear, Landon was trying to play on Alexander’s reputation for simple decency. It took a special kind of criminal to keep up his calm calculation under such duress.
