The Bandit (Fall of the Swords Book 2)

by Scott Michael Decker

  Suddenly, Spying Eagle snapped back to the present. “He came north to meet a—” He said a word none of them understood, as if in a foreign language. “I don't know what it means, Lord Colonel.” The Wizard rubbed his eyes, his gaze haunted.

  “All right, Lord Corporal, thank you for trying. Write the word down as you'd spell it. I'll find a linguist to decipher it, eh? How'd you learn to penetrate a shield?”

  The Wizard smiled briefly, without humor. “At my offices in Emparia City, Lord Colonel, between clients, I'd meditate by trying to penetrate a portable shield, like yours. I knew an Emperor could do it with the Imperial Sword, but I never expected to myself. One day, though, I managed to disable it. I almost fell out of my chair in surprise.”

  Scratching Wolf smiled. “Are you a native of Emparia City?”

  “Yes, Lord. My parents are both administrators at the Institute of Psychology—have been for years.”

  “Are they Wizards as well, Lord?”

  “No, Lord Colonel. I guess you're asking about my genetic capabilities?” The other man nodding, Spying Eagle continued. “They adopted me when I was two months old.”

  “Ah, I see. Any idea who your real parents are?”

  “None, Lord Colonel. The proverbial basket on the doorstep, eh?”

  Smiling, Scratching Wolf nodded, his suspicion still valid. “Tell me what happened after you left the Bear residence.”

  Spying Eagle looked at his feet, his lips pursed.

  “Listen, young man, I don't care why you went there or what you did. Someone—and I'd guess the Sorcerer—didn't like your treating the Lord General. You have abundant talent, Lord Eagle, and you're young as well. Perhaps you haven't learned a few things yet. No one can confer shame or dishonor upon you without your letting them. Their capturing you and taking you to the dungeons of Emparia Castle isn't shameful or dishonorable. It just happened, eh?”

  “Yes, Lord Colonel, except that they did capture me.”

  “I'll wager it cost them, though.”

  “Thirteen of them, Lord Colonel.” Spying Eagle frowned.

  “Good!” Scratching Wolf said. “Reprehensible curmudgeons. Be proud of that, Lord! Now tell me, eh?”

  “Forgive me, Lord Colonel, but I'm not proud that I killed them—not when I could've simply knocked them unconscious.”

  Scratching Wolf guffawed. “Forgive me, Lord Eagle. I'm a warrior. Sentiments like that are anathema to me.” Chuckling, he shook his head. “Tell me what happened.”

  Smiling, Spying Eagle recounted how they'd taken him to the dungeons, where Lurking Hawk had personally interrogated him. Discovering that he couldn't penetrate the other Wizard's shields, the Sorcerer had questioned him verbally, to no avail, and then had tortured him physically, also to no avail. Spying Eagle had shut off individual nerves, stopping all pain. Frustrated, the Sorcerer had ordered the Wizard stationed at Burrow. Binding, gagging and blindfolding him, the jailers had carried him bodily from the dungeons, shipping him north like a sack of grain.

  Grinning, Scratching Wolf chuckled. “I'll wager the Sorcerer didn't know whether to shit or vomit.”

  Spying Eagle smiled.

  “You could have killed the Traitor then, eh? Why didn't you?”

  “I'd have had to escape from the castle, Lord. If he continues to abuse his talents, he'll be dead in another six months anyway.”

  Scratching Wolf shook his head. “You've had two opportunities now, Lord Corporal, and you didn't take either. I don't understand that. You mustn't be a warrior. When the Lord Captain told me you don't belong here, I didn't believe him. I do now, Lord Corporal. You belong at Emparia Castle, serving as the Sorcerer, not that Traitor.”

  “Thank you, Lord Colonel, but I'd rather return to my practice in Emparia City.”

  Nodding, Scratching Wolf shrugged. “You have only two and a half years left, Lord. Then you're up for reenlistment. You probably won't reenlist, due to the manner of your conscription. You'll return to your practice eventually, Lord. In the meantime, young man, endure.” The Colonel stood. “Lord Captain, dismiss all the sentries on the battlements from their posts until the storm abates. No bandit will be out in that, eh?”

  “Yes, Lord Colonel.”

  He nodded to the obeisances of the other two men. “Infinite be with you, Lords.” He strode through the door and up the stairs.

  Scratching Wolf girded himself for the cold, strapping the mask across his face and infusing his parka with a few psi of heat. Walking through the windy white toward his office, the Colonel knew the young man fully capable of being the Sorcerer.

  A position that the young man's grandfather had held.

  A position that Flying Arrow had denied the young man's father.

  A pity Spying Eagle won't ever know his grandfather or father, he thought.

  Chapter 8

  Healing Hand, the most talented Imperial Medacor of his time, gained greatly from his friendship with Guarding Bear and Bubbling Water. Their political influence helped him rise to the foremost station in his profession.

  Or did it? The record we have of Healing Hand's talents implies that he would have become the Imperial Medacor regardless of their help. In The Gathering of Power, the Wizard Spying Eagle (9324) attests, “Healing Hand had the power of an Imperial Sword, even without a talisman.” Whether hyperbole or fact, we cannot know.—The Twins and The Swords, by Keeping Track.

  * * *

  Guarding Bear recognized the rat-faced courier. How did I so badly misconstrue his information about Snarling Jaguar before the negotiations? he wondered. “This way, Lord Rat,” he said, walking toward the sitting room.

  A little after dawn, he and Bubbling Water had finally fallen asleep, exhausted. About fifteen minutes ago, Guarding Bear had awakened and looked at her.

  * * *

  Laying there, her arms and legs akimbo as if in wild abandon, she looked so enticing that he stiffened.

  He let her sleep. Watching the rise and fall of her breathing, smelling the scents of their pleasures, listening to her soft sounds of sleep, all brought him satisfaction.

  Thank the Infinite for this treasure before me, Guarding Bear thought, shedding a single tear. Feeling humble, grateful, peaceful, he knew she was more important to him than anything else could ever be. I want to die before she does, he thought, not wanting to live if the Infinite needed her more than he. Since their mate-empathy link was so strong, they'd likely die within hours of each other anyway.

  Rising, he attended to his elimination. The excretory-bath was immaculate, as if Bubbling Water's talent hadn't strewn the contents of drawer and cupboard all over the floor in the midst and madness of passion. Her talent was usually not so mischievous.

  After trying to comb his unruly curls, Guarding Bear found himself a robe and stepped toward the east-wing refectory. Enjoying the aromas of cooking sausage and freshly brewed coffee, he sat at one of the two chairs.

  They'd built the refectory small. It held no more than two sitting and perhaps five standing. They valued their privacy when they wanted it, the refectory reflecting that.

  A servant brought him a cup and disappeared.

  Standing, he leaned against the embrasured window beside the table, sipping coffee. Looking out at the garden and loving life, Guarding Bear realized how much he valued this time, this space. Each absence from what he cherished made him appreciate them more upon his return.

  Eight months I was gone, he thought. For eight months I had none of this in my life—much too long.

  From a distance, down carpeted corridors, came sounds of leather and metal. “Blast,” Guarding Bear muttered, not wanting anyone to disturb him.

  A servant helpfully intercepted the armed warrior.

  The gruff grouch Silent Whisper said, “It's important!”

  The servant responded in an inaudible voice.

  Sighing, Guarding Bear stepped toward corridor.

  “Forgive me my disturbing you, Lord General,” Silent Whisper said
upon seeing him. “Courier from the north, from Burrow, I think.” The Captain smiled. “By the way, the Traitor fell asleep last night on the south bank of the River Placid.”

  “Frozen?” Guarding Bear asked.

  “Nearly, Lord General.”

  “All right, Lord Captain. Have the courier escorted to the sitting room in this wing.”

  “Yes, Lord General.” Silent Whisper bowed. “Welcome home, Lord.”

  “Thank you, Lord Captain.” Nodding, Guarding Bear smiled, happy to be home—very happy. Retreating to the refectory, he sipped hot coffee.

  A servant brought him loincloth, moccasins and sword, which he'd forgotten.

  Hearing sounds in the corridor, he stepped toward it.

  Another servant escorted the courier toward the sitting room.

  Entering, he squinted.

  Bright afternoon sun spilled into the room. As in much of the house, exquisitely detailed sculptures decorated the sitting room. Several embrasured windows along one wall framed the better statues. Beyond the window, a verdant garden surrounded a complex fountain of several pools and spillways. Bubbling Water had constructed the fountain for her communion with the Infinite.

  At the entryway, Guarding Bear checked the room shields. Satisfied, he gestured the courier to take a seat, then took one himself. Folding his legs beneath him, he pulled his sword into his lap. The courier comfortably settled, the General recited, “Broken Arrow.”

  The squinty eyes rolled back in the head, the face going slack. Then another persona took over. Now, the courier looked tall and commanding. “Infinite be with you, Lord General, and welcome home. Sorry to say, Lord, we've lost most of our spies in the Tiger Fortress. The talisman tiger found and slew them all—or so it appears. No spy has gone in and come out since the bandit general got her from the Southern Emperor. Not a single report in all of eight months. Your suggestions needed, Lord.

  “Also, Lord, a Wizard stationed at Burrow claims to have treated you just before the negotiations. After treating you, Imperial counter-insurgency forces interrogated him in the dungeons of Emparia Castle. Despite his talents, he is unfit for military service. His commander demoted him a full rank and threw him into the stockade three times for insubordination. He's a boil on the buttocks of the Eastern Armed Forces, Lord. My humble opinion, and indeed my request, is that this man transfer to a post better suited to his talents. Perhaps you can find a place better than this for him. Did you know, Lord General, that he can do to a shield what he did to the Traitor?

  “While the Lord Emperor was welcoming you, Lord, the Wizard and his superior intercepted the Traitor ten miles west of Burrow. He was heading north, across open country, his movements suspicious. The two men investigated. The Traitor tried to elude them. The two Wizards battled, and the younger man dominated the Traitor. He now faces official charges for trespass, evasion of Imperial authority and psychic assault upon an Imperial officer.

  “Afterward, the Traitor lingered on the west road for another two hours, then went whence he'd come. A sectathon watched him the entire time. He met with no one. The sectathon saw some wizardly psychic activity, but its content and purpose were inscrutable. What business the Traitor had here is a mystery to this spy.

  “This and the other matters I leave in your hands, Lord, or in the hands of the Infinite. Burrow coordinator reporting. Walk with the Infinite, Lord, and welcome home.”

  The face of the courier lost the sender's composure, then regained the less-imposing one of the courier himself.

  “You took all the usual precautions, Lord Rat?” Guarding Bear asked.

  “Yes, Lord,” the courier replied, “into the sewer four streets north to here. No one stopped me and I doubt anyone saw me.”

  “Good. Prepare for missive remittance.”

  “Eh, Lord?”

  I don't usually choose the couriers for their intelligence, he mused. “Take this message back to the sender of the message you just delivered.”

  “Oh. Yes, Lord.” Again the courier's face collapsed.

  “Code: Red Wolf.”

  The courier twitched and fidgeted, mild convulsions marking the brain's physiological changes.

  When he became still, Guarding Bear began. “Infinite be with you, Burrow coordinator. Wizard missive received. Sorry to hear about the losses in the Tiger Fortress. Belay all further infiltration until I research the subject. We might, or might not, be able to disguise the minds of our spies.

  “Thank you for informing me of the Wizard's fate. I have a debt to this man and will resolve the situation.

  “Expect interference from above in pressing charges against the Traitor. I'll move mountains to get these charges publicized—so Flying Arrow doesn't quietly quash them.

  “The Traitor's absence from the repatriation was conspicuous, but not unexpected. His presence at the northern border alarms me. I don't understand why he went there and left without meeting anyone. Incomprehensible. Suggestion: Counterfeit a rendezvous with some bandit. Perhaps, we can bring the Imperial disfavor upon him. My resources are at your disposal. Please concoct with all due dispatch. Infinite guide your steps, coordinator. End message.”

  The face of the courier slowly regained animation. Shaking his head, he wiped at his eyes, as if waking from a nap.

  “See the Lord Captain about your pay and retrace your route. You're welcome to quarter for a night at the sanctuary where you entered the sewer. There's nothing urgent in your dispatch.”

  “Yes, Lord, Infinite be with you.” He bowed.

  Nodding to acknowledge, Guarding Bear rose, switched off the room shields, and sent for a servant. One appeared instantly. He signaled the servant to escort the courier back to the main wing.

  Infinite blast it, Guarding Bear thought. I've spent twelve years burrowing moles deep into the hierarchy of the Tiger Fortress. Now, that tiger has swept them all away like dirt from the fortress corridors! How do I deceive the animal? he wondered, frustrated.

  Remember to contact Scratching Wolf to negotiate the transfer of Spying Eagle, Guarding Bear told himself. The Patriarchy hasn't had a psychological Wizard for nearly two years. The young Wizard certainly earned the post, if he's willing to take it.

  What was the Traitor doing at the northern border? the General wondered, disturbed. Why does a traitor go anywhere unusual, eh? I wonder who his coconspirators are. Lurking Hawk hates all bandits because they occupy his land. It couldn't be them that he's scheming with now, Guarding Bear mused, unable to think of anyone. Lurking Hawk was devising his treachery finally, and Guarding Bear didn't doubt that he conspired with someone. Why did he fall sleep on the banks of the river? he wondered, puzzled.

  The twins! the General thought, fear shivering through him. Lurking Hawk will perpetrate his vengeance upon the most innocent and vulnerable of victims, Flying Arrow's identical twin sons! Having a missive from Snarling Jaguar to relay anyway, Guarding Bear was about to summon a servant, wanting to warn the Emperor.

  The Captain Silent Whisper appeared again, however.

  “What is it, Lord Captain?”

  “Another messenger, Lord General, this one for the Lady Matriarch.”

  “Bring the messenger here, Lord Whisper, and I'll inform her. Send a messenger to the castle to request a private audience with the Lord Emperor this evening, if he's available. Include the obligatory flattery.” Dismissing the man, Guarding Bear stepped into the corridor leading to their bedroom.

  Bubbling Water lay sprawled across the bed still.

  Sitting beside her, he woke her. “Messenger for you.”

  Muttering an imprecation, she pulled from his arms and closed her eyes. Standing, she slipped on a robe and kissed him. “Come with me.”

  “I think I'll bathe, my love,” he said, his cheek to her sternum.

  She nodded. “In the sitting room?”

  “Yes, love. Come back soon, eh?” They shared a smile and she left.

  Guarding Bear sighed, his loins warm, his being complet
e.

  In the excretory-bath, a servant helped him off with his clothes.

  Guarding Bear submitted to the lathering, half meditating. Silently, he thanked the Infinite for all Its blessings—his wealth, his station, his children, his mate. All he lacked was lineage, but being the Peasant General from the Caven Hills had its advantages.

  * * *

  Bubbling Water didn't recognize the woman sitting opposite her.

  Straightening, the stranger eased back on her haunches and looked at the Matriarch directly. Looking around the room as if to insure they were alone, the stranger said, “I bring felicitations from the Lady Bandit.”

  Bubbling Water felt alarmed and exhilarated. “Another would be in your place, Lady, if she'd refused the offer. What's your name please?” Leaping Elk has accepted! she thought, suppressing a smile.

  “I'm … Signaling Acceptance,” the woman said. “Without better communications, the Lady Bandit sent the message unsecured. Henceforth, the Lady Bandit wants all couriers implanted with the usual safeguards: Signature and facial checks, passwords, subconscious storage, et cetera. The Lady Bandit foresees occasional but highly sensitive traffic between you, Lady Matriarch.”

  “I expect missives only from her mate, Lady Acceptance. He has all the information for secure communication between us.”

  “She mustn't have known, Lady. On her behalf I offer apologies.”

  Nodding and intuiting the importance of the missive, Bubbling Water prepared a place in her memory. Increasing her hippocampus adrenalin, she asked, “The message please, Lady Acceptance.”

  “Yes, Lady Matriarch.” Signaling Acceptance switched to the Southern language. “Infinite be with you, Lord. I hereby accept your proposal. Forgive the lack of proper address in this missive. Without the means to send secured communications, I am reluctant to include specifics, for reasons you can easily imagine.

  “Lord, I accept the terms of the bargain as your intermediary specified, but I propose additional terms. I perceive we each might do the other services not inconsequential. I have no contacts across the border, and I'd guess that no longer do you. Hence, let us share information important to us both.