by P. G. Thomas
Once he had left, the remaining left in fifteen-minute intervals, attempting to diminish any possible gossip. When Panry returned, Cethail handed him the gambling marker, and when they were discussing how to bait the next trap, Gingaar came running out of the house, waving her hand in front of her face.
Ryan looked at John, “Zack’s awake.”
The three went up to the second level washroom where, from behind the closed door, they smelled Zack. From inside, they could hear him groaning and banging the wall.
“Zack are you okay?” asked John.
“It hurts, something has gone wrong. DAMN!”
“Can you change into another shape?”
“Can’t concentrate, it’s ripping me apart.”
“What do we do Zack?” Ryan silently shouted through the door, “Do we get the Earth Mothers?”
“NO. OHHH! God. Something is caught.”
“Zack, tell us what you need.”
“John, you are going to have to come in.”
“Why me?”
“You’ve have the smallest arms.”
“No, I don’t, Panry does.”
Panry shook his head.
“John, you’re my friend. I need your help.”
“What do I have to do?”
“Something is caught.”
“You don’t want me to…”
“You have the smallest hands, you have to reach up, turn it.”
“Can’t Gingaar give you a laxative or muscle relaxer?”
“There’s not enough time, John. You have to free it. It’s coming out sideways.”
John backed away from the door, whispered, “No.”
Zack screamed back, “YES.”
“No...”
“Panry, go get some lard or grease for John. It’ll make it easier.” Before Panry could head down the stairs, Zack opened the door, “Just messing with you, Dudes.” Their concern vanished quickly, replaced by watering eyes, and gasping breath, as the rancid vapors escaped into the hall. “Seriously, man it hurt. I thought I was giving birth.”
Then he stopped, grabbed his abdomen, which rumbled and growled. The magical contents of Zack were in conflict with his non-magical appearance. He doubled over in pain, gritting his teeth, and then from deep inside Zack, the pressure built and the speed increased. When he fell to his knees, it thundered out of him with so much power, the window curtains fluttered in the foul breeze, and the small room amplified the thunder, which bounced off the walls. Zack slowly pulled himself up, wiping the tears from his eyes, “Wish I had a lighter for that one. I think I just ripped myself a new one.”
Panry, gagging, pointed to the stairs, “We need to leave now.”
With Zack’s health no longer a concern, Panry and John went to visit the Earth Mothers. Nur was a mess, as the sleep berries she had taken only lengthened her nightmares. While an exhausted Arora was bed ridden, Brook, Lindo, and Fritza fared no better. Even though John explained their plan, his words did little to lift their spirits. Panry told John to have Gingaar stay with the Earth Mothers, and then he headed into the main part of town.
When Panry withdrew the two bags of gold for the gambling marker, he had also made another withdrawal, which he had safely tucked in his coat pocket. The mayors’ confiscated riches had also included very rare gemstones: each one worth a bag of gold on its own. According to thief guild law, all crime was guild sanctioned, and each thief had to belong to a guild. To be a freelance thief was to be an outcast in a gathering of outsiders. This cutpurse and pickpocket who he now searched for was the best, being so good that neither guild knew of him. Panry did because it was his job to be aware of threats. The marker was from a gambling den that belonged to the second thieves’ guild. If there was going to be any fallout from the events that were going to happen, then the first guild wanted the second to pay the price. However, he needed a neutral party to deliver his bait, who had to be smart. It took him an hour before he spotted the well-dressed, clean-shaven pickpocket, who always had a pleasant hello that lifted the spirits and gold of those whom he met. His work was infrequent because his rewards were larger, practicing his craft only when the reward exceeded the risk. When not working, he watched people, learning from them, memorizing their habits. He was sitting at an open-air teashop, and Panry sat down at a table behind him.
“Strange events these days, Panry.”
“Business slow today, Gravex?”
“Everybody is lined up at the plague clinic. Too many eyes with light purses, and they are all scared of strangers getting too close, as such, a poor combination for my business.”
Panry pulled the small bag of gems out, letting them fall onto the table.
Gravex tilted his head, “I was unaware that Earth Guards were paid so well. Maybe I should consider a new career?” As Gravex drank his tea, he listened to Panry count out the gems. When done, he wrapped half in a cloth handkerchief, putting the remainder back in the bag, which he placed into a jacket pocket.
“I need to purchase your services.”
“I am not in the habit of lending my services, and when I do, the price is high. However, I hear you have already exceeded that, so I am curious.” Gravex continued to look ahead as he talked to Panry behind him, “With so much wealth, I cannot imagine what you need.”
“I need you to deliver a piece of paper.”
“The price you offer and the word ‘simple’ are in conflict.”
“I need the Royal House agents to accidently find my paper. Drop it from your pocket, so they pick it up.”
“If they do not?”
“You could steal their undergarments, and they will not know. You do not have to touch, talk, or even look at them. Pick your mark, your spot, and deliver my message. They will not even see you, and we both know that.” Panry lowered his hand behind his back, dropping the napkin and marker.
Gravex was ready for the delivery. Feeling the weight of the jewels, he estimated their value.
“After you have delivered my message, I will pay the balance.” Panry turned around, but Gravex was gone, silent like the wind. Finishing his tea, he walked across the creaking deck towards the lineup at the clinic, which moved slower than the suns. He saw Korg—who was trying to keep the line moving, selecting some people, and moving them to the front. As the suns began to set, the line grew smaller, as most gave up and headed home, determining to show up earlier the next day. Some refused to leave, being afraid by the time they returned, what little medicine there was would be gone.
As the shadows grew longer, when the day grew shorter, Panry wandered down towards the gambling den. While being unaware of which Royal House agents had found the note, he knew that Gravex would have delivered it. Reaching into his jacket pocket, he realized the small bag of gems was gone, as Gravex had already collected the second half of his payment, having completed the contract. Panry melted into the shadows, waiting. Having made no arrangements for the mugging, he knew the bag of gold would be like an oasis in a desert, drawing those thirsty for wealth to it. The Royal House may have thought they were dangerous, and they probably were, when they outnumbered their victims. Here, in one of the roughest parts of town, they would be outnumbered. Korg must have had his men working longer hours, getting more information, as the streets were dark when his sensitive deer ears heard the strange boots of the black-clad approach on the wooden walks. Watching them walk by, he heard them foolishly ask directions to the gambling den. Moving down the street, his clothing now black like the night, he heard the door of the gambling house open. Several minutes later, he heard one laugh, slapping the back of the other, and the sound of coins clinking on the ground from spilled gold: a sound that would even wake sleeping thieves. However, Panry could hear the excited breathing of those who hid in the shadows. Welcome to Earth Guard vengeance.
The first two thieves were inexperienced, being easily defeated. The Royal House agents picked up their pace, moving quickly down the street. While the next thieves were better, th
eir skills were unequal to the Royal House. The third set of thieves, they were different. Years of shadow hiding had obscured them from the sight of the Royal House agents. Young enough to be fast, experienced enough to be accurate, and desperate enough to kill. After hands had clamped over mouths, daggers were thrust deep into vital organs, and the bag of gold tumbled to the ground. Panry, unseen in the dark, maneuvered closer, as the thieves scooped up the gold putting it back into the bag. Then, like any good thieves would, they searched the body, finding more gold and the stamped gambling marker.
From behind, they heard a dark voice, “Leave the marker, and take your gold. Go, now!” While thieves may tolerate authority, the unseen voice spoke with a conviction that made them move.
Panry stayed up all night, guarding the dead bodies, so even the inns that searched for daily specials would bypass the scene. When the warm suns finally greeted the cold bodies, he saw the first witness find the dead bodies, watching as they quickly checked for any valuables, before heading for the town watch. He saw Ramy examine the scene: checking the two dead Royal House agents, finding the marker, following the trail of bodies to the gambling establishment, knocking on the door. Panry already knew Ramy would consider the case closed, just like the door he banged on. Leaving two guards to watch over the crime scene, he then headed to Pintar’s, where Panry watched from the distance. Watching Ramy hand the gambling marker to Korg, he saw the distraught look on his face, and smiling, he began to walk back to the house.
*******
The smile was still present when Panry walked into the backyard. John, Ryan, and Eric had gathered around the table while Aaro and Bor examined the engraved medallions. With the quality being outstanding, Panry asked if Fodu could make an extra one of the Alron statue, for himself.
He then whistled for the Dawnfalcons, “Take these to Gayne and be discrete. Do not let any eyes follow you.”
Zack walked into the backyard as Panry was updating the five on the events of the previous night.
When Aaro heard that war had been declared against the Royal House, his frustration was obvious, “Ironhouse is left out. We are insulted.”
Bor slammed his hand on the table, “John, brother. You treat us bad. How do we help?”
“Aaro, Bor, we didn’t mean to offend you. We were acting before we even finished planning everything. You were making the medallions, which were more important. There are still fifteen left, including Korg.”
“You are not right,” advised Panry. “One Earth Mother passed. I do not know how, but her pins they gifted to another.”
“They could be hiding her.” John stopped and thought, “What’s the significance of the pins?”
“They are like rank. Earth Mother with pins greatest they consider senior to ones with lesser, who will listen and follow. South port town Earth Mothers, they want to take all the Earth Mothers with them and to plague heal them.”
Aaro shook his head, “Not good. Traditions should not break easy. We need to act fast.”
Bor nodded, “Four dead, Ironhouse claims the next.”
“One hundred and four dead,” advised Eric.
“Brother, you too?” asked Aaro. “Treat you well, did we not? Bor, maybe outside we should stand, greet visitors only, their horse reins hold. Respect us, they do not.”
For the first time in his life, John was experiencing a math problem. The number of people that wanted to kill Royal House agents was increasing, but at the same time, their targets were decreasing, so Panry excused himself from the equation.
“Okay. First things first, Zack, how are you feeling?” asked John. “Would a little bit of exercise help to clear out your system? I know it’ll help clear out the air. Two of the guards went to check the valley. They should be about four days east. Can you find and lose them?”
Zack nodded.
Aaro smacked Bor, “Stand on a chair as they overlook us!” Both then stood on their chairs, looking down at John.
“You two can climb down. We need a way to separate them from their group, and so far, we’ve been appealing to their lesser sides. However, Korg is now going to be more cautious, suspecting resistance, which he can’t prove. We have six guards and two junior officers left. I would like to go after the junior officers, as they’re the ones gathering the information. The guards might be easier because they’re traveling to the clinic, but we can’t afford to have any witnesses.”
“Bor, street with clinic, it has raised walks?” asked Aaro.
“Brother, it does. The crowd, the line is long.”
“Look the wrong way, we need them to.”
Jumping to the ground, Aaro and Bor started walking to the house, “Bor, to distract dwarf, what works best?”
“Gold.”
Aaro smiled, “Advantage!”
They then went up the stairs to talk with Fen and Hakk. After an hour, Aaro came down, sending one of the runners to rent a wagon and driver. When it arrived, the four brothers went to the vault, each taking a bag of gold and headed for the wagon.
John went up to visit Logan and Lauren, but she was sound asleep. Before Gingaar had retired, she had left some berries with Logan to provide nourishment and rest to Lauren, but the strain was also starting to show on Logan.
“John, this isn’t good. When she’s awake, all she does is cry. She thinks the black-clad armies are innocent, and that she killed innocents. She saw the soldiers attack us in the mountain when Gor died, and she knows they’re a threat. I don’t understand why she hasn’t come around?”
“I was wondering if the south port Earth Mothers used some kind of magic, putting a spell on all of the Earth Mothers. Is there anything Sister can do?”
“I rubbed those damned feathers so hard, that all the hair is gone from my forearms, but there’s no air, fire, or water involved.”
“Just keep her safe. Something doesn’t make sense. The medallions went to Gayne today, so hopefully in a day or two, we’ll be traveling back to the Bright Coast for evidence. When we prove the plague is a hoax, we’ll place Korg and his group under arrest.”
“If they put a spell on Lauren, what good will that do?”
“When we have Korg alone, in a dark room with no sense of hope, we’ll let you and Sister question him. It might take some time, but I have faith in the both of you.”
“If you don’t find evidence soon, John, I’ll start without it.”
Late in the afternoon, Ryan wandered into the backyard, “Korg is livid. I’m afraid he’s going to kick his game up a notch.”
“I imagine he’ll be pissed even more because Aaro and Bor are working on a plan. Zack has gone to the pass, but Korg won’t miss those two for a few more days. I want Eric to check the south road again, making sure Korg didn’t arrange waves of reinforcements. The sky elves are still giving us the all clear, so right now I think we’re in a stalemate with Korg.”
“I saw Korg talking to Ramy for about an hour,” advised Ryan, “He also spent an hour down at the town hall, but our mayors aren’t there. I saw Krooni, but he’s looking scared.”
“Tomorrow Korg will be down to six plus his healer. I can well imagine they’ll walk the streets holding hands. I have a feeling that after tomorrow, he’ll move all of his operations down to the clinic. It’ll be easier for him to defend one location than two will. He should also be getting anxious, as those reinforcements should have been here by now.”
“What about a storm, John?” asked Ryan.
“What do you mean by storm?”
“It’s natural. You can’t blame a lightning strike on a resistance movement. Have Eric light up the clinic, making sure Logan is around to control the fire.”
“That’s pure genius, but it doesn’t reduce the number of Royal House agents.”
“If you time it right, it will be like killing two black birds with one stone.”
“Done and done,” replied John. “We’ll have Eric check the south road tonight, Ironhouse will perform tomorrow, followed by a li
ght show the next day.”
*******
Ryan and John spent the next day with Pintar at the post office, establishing an alibi. At the clinic, as the slow line was growing longer, the tempers grew shorter. At noon, the town watch left the walls when a complimentary meal, complete with ale, arrived for them. Then, after eight dwarves scurried up four different ladders, each group hoisted a bag of gold and a long cloth blanket to the roof. Silently, they poured the gold coins into the blanket. Going to the ends, they started swinging the blankets back and forth. On the tenth swing, they each let go of one side, sending the gold coins flying out over the street. As most of the people in line were from the shantytown, when the skies rain down gold, you don’t look up to see where it came from. As the mad scramble erupted, even the hired guards fell to their knees trying to clutch the bright metal. Before the Royal House guards realized it, they could no longer see the road they stood on, which looked like it had turned into a heard of rutting pigs.
However, they never realized those at their feet had no interest in the mysterious coins. They were dwarves who had been waiting in the shadows under the raised walk. When gold slammed into the dirt street, they scurried in behind the Royal House guards, and before they could do anything, two dwarves raised themselves to their knees. Bringing up large battle clubs, they hit the legs of the Royal House so hard, bones broke, causing them to collapse to the ground. If you were standing at the end of the line, you would think the Royal House guards were also going after the coins, but Panry knew different, having seen the pained expression on their faces. When the Royal House guards hit the ground, dwarves attached ropes to their feet, and one tug resulted in a dozen dwarves dragging the guards under the walkway. With two solid well-delivered punches landing on the struggling men, all went dark for the guards dressed in black. Dragging the unconscious soldiers under the boardwalk, the other dwarves also scurried back. At the end of the boardwalk, two holes waited for their silent guests, and unlike the victims of the black-clad, their deaths were quick and painless. After the bodies had been pushed in, they filled in the holes, and the dwarves scurried back to a dwarf shop at the end of the street. Then, after crawling through the hole they had made in the stone foundation wall, they replaced the blocks, exiting to the next street over.
