Demonkin

by Richard S. Tuttle

  The boys all nodded their understanding.

  “Then let’s get moving,” said the thief. “The soldiers guarding you are all asleep, but they won’t sleep forever. Wake the other children.”

  * * * *

  Natia entered the warehouse where the games were being held. She wandered into the gambling room and stood far behind Captain Beck so he could not see her. The thief manning the table glanced at her questioningly, and she nodded exaggeratedly. Within minutes, the thief was replaced with a new man. The man who had glanced at her moved casually through the room and ended up alongside Natia.

  “It won’t take long,” he said in a whisper. “The captain was losing fairly well enough on his own. He will be cleaned out in a matter of minutes. I even had to let him win a few just so he stayed at the table.”

  “Thank you,” smiled Natia.

  The thief wandered off, and Natia waited for the captain to lose. It really did not take long. Captain Beck rose to his feet in anger, toppling the chair he had been sitting on. Several men closed in on the captain, but Beck realized that he was protesting a little too loudly. He raised his hands and slowly backed away from the table. With anger on his face, the captain spun around to leave. That was when he noticed Natia standing alone against the wall. He stormed over to her.

  “They cheated me. I know it.”

  “Keep your voice down,” urged Natia as she guided the captain to a spot in the room where no one could hear them.

  “Why should I keep my voice down?” blustered the captain. “I should call the city guards and have them close this sham down.”

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

  Something in the tone of the gypsy’s voice alerted the captain. “Why? I just lost all of your money. How can you be so calm about it?”

  “I am not calm,” Natia replied in a calm voice. “I am terrified. You should be, too. We are both going to die in the morning.”

  “What are you talking about?” Captain Beck asked anxiously.

  “The gold you just lost belongs to a high city official,” explained Natia. “I only intended to borrow it. I thought you could double it and then I would put it back.”

  “You stole that gold?” gasped the captain. “You can’t be serious. They will not let that go unpunished.”

  “No, they won’t,” agreed the gypsy princess.

  “Who did you steal it from?”

  “Judge Julius.”

  “The hanging judge?” gasped the captain. “You are as good as dead already. I will have nothing more to do with you. In fact, I should arrest you myself. I might get a reward for turning you in.”

  “You fool,” laughed Natia. “Go ahead and arrest me, big man. You want to know what your reward will be? Do you?”

  Captain Beck looked at Natia warily. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “Who has been losing thousands of gold this last week?” asked Natia. “Has it been me? I don’t think so. So tell me, glorious captain, where did you get the thirty-thousand you blew at the gambling tables? Do you think I am going to hang alone? Go ahead, arrest me, you fool.”

  The captain’s hand wavered near his sword, and Natia brought her hand up swiftly. Her hand held a knife, and she let the tip of it press against the captain’s belly. Captain Beck raised both hands and backed a step away from her.

  “Let’s not get worked up over this,” the captain said softly. “Maybe I can find a way for you to get out of the city before morning.”

  “You had better start worrying about yourself,” taunted Natia. “I went outside a while ago. Want to know who I saw?”

  Captain Beck was sure that he did not want to, but he asked anyway. “Who did you see?”

  “Colonel Fisker,” Natia smiled thinly. “He was looking for you. It seems he was aware that you were not at your assigned post. He did not seem happy about it.”

  “Did you tell him where I was?” the captain asked nervously.

  “Of course not,” replied Natia. “I also didn’t tell him that you visited the office of Judge Julius this evening.”

  “Curses!” spat the captain. “Are you setting me up? I only went there for you.”

  “I thought I had left my shawl there,” lied Natia. “Did you think I wanted to leave any evidence behind?”

  “We are both going to hang,” the captain said with a sigh of defeat.

  “I would kill myself before I let them arrest me,” vowed Natia. “Surely, you know what Judge Julius would do to us?”

  The captain fell silent as he stared at the floor and pressed his lips tightly together. Natia sheathed her knife.

  “I don’t know about you, but I am getting out of the city.”

  Captain Beck frowned as he looked at her. “They probably will let you leave, but not me. I have no orders to leave the city. They won’t let me through the gates.”

  “I saw a caravan forming outside,” suggested Natia. “If you could somehow get on the seat of the first wagon, you could tell the guards that you are showing your friend the way to the Coast Road. Surely they would look the other way for that.”

  “What caravan driver doesn’t know the way to the Coast Road?” the captain retorted in a mocking tone.

  “One from Tyronia,” replied Natia. “I heard them talking when I was outside. This is their first trip east of the Barrier.”

  “That just might work,” mused the captain, “but what would I say to the driver?”

  “He is real friendly,” offered Natia. “I was talking to him. I am sure if I explained the situation, he would welcome you to the seat. I will catch a wagon further back in the caravan.”

  “I should go home and get some money first,” replied the captain.

  “With Colonel Fisker looking for you? I do not think that is wise.”

  The captain thought about it for a minute and then nodded. “Talk to the driver for me. I am going to see if anyone here will lend me a few coins.”

  Natia hurried outside and spoke to the driver. He nodded knowingly at her. Fifteen wagons were stretched out for two blocks as the lead driver waited for a signal to leave the city. Captain Beck hurried out of the building and ran towards Natia.

  “This is the man I was telling you about,” Natia said to the driver. “I would appreciate it if you could help him out.”

  “No problem, pretty lady,” smiled the driver. “We will be leaving real soon.” He looked at the captain and patted the seat next to him. “Welcome aboard, Captain.”

  While Captain Beck climbed onto the seat, Natia turned and headed towards the rear of the caravan. Five additional wagons suddenly appeared on the cross street, and someone shouted for the caravan to start rolling. As the wagons began to move, the additional five wagons merged into the flow. Dozens of caravan warriors rode forward from somewhere behind the long line of wagons. One of the warriors was leading an unburdened horse and he rode straight for Natia.

  “Did everything go all right?” asked the gypsy princess.

  “Perfectly,” grinned Edmond. “Will you be able to distract the gate guards?”

  “Watch me,” grinned Natia as she swung onto the back of her unicorn. “Just in case, keep your caravan warriors close to the gates so they block the soldiers’ view of the junction.”

  Edmond nodded and led his men forward. Natia dawdled until the lead wagons were well through the gates. Noting that Captain Beck had not been ordered off the wagon, Natia rode forward and dismounted alongside the gate guards. The soldiers looked at her expectantly, and Natia returned a big, friendly smile.

  “Have any of you gentlemen seen Colonel Fisker tonight?”

  The guards all shook their head, and Natia pouted. She rummaged in her pack for something. She took her time until she noticed one of the guards growing disinterested. She pulled out an envelope and waved it around.

  “My name is Natia,” she announced, pleased that she had everyone’s attention again. “I need to see that Colonel Fisker receives this personally. Do a
ny of you know him?”

  While Natia had the attention of the guards, several wagons peeled off from the caravan. Instead of taking the Coast Road like the rest of the wagons, those five drivers chose the Zinbar Trail. The other drivers in the caravan quickened their pace to avoid leaving any telling gaps in the line.

  “I know where his office is,” answered one of the guards.

  Natia made a show of placing the envelope into the guard’s hands. “That is very important,” she stressed. “If you could slide it under the door of his office, I would be grateful.”

  “I will,” promised the young soldier.

  Natia swung onto her unicorn and smiled at the men again. She rode out of the gate, listening to the banter of the guards as they joked about how eager each of the others were to talk to the pretty woman.

  Chapter 41

  The Deluge

  Haditha had strained to maneuver the Skate through the tumultuous seas ever since the lights of Valdo had come into view. Now that they were moving through the harbor, the task became more arduous. A large number of ships were anchored out in the harbor in preparation for the coming storm, and navigating through the maze of hulls required constant attention. Finding the unlit ships would have been hard enough on the night of a new moon, but the fury of the storm would have blocked even the light from a full moon. The sky was dark and angry, and the rain fell steadily. Lightning crackled in the eastern sky and loud booms of thunder rolled across the sea.

  “There is one coming up on our starboard,” Captain Gomery announced excitedly.

  Haditha didn’t bother to respond. She deftly guided the Skate to port to avoid hitting the anchored ship. Captain Gomery grabbed the rail as the Skate pitched to starboard under the water witch’s maneuvering. The ship leveled out once more and the captain sighed heavily as he adjusted the hood of his rain cloak. Haditha had spurned his efforts to cover her with protective clothing, and he could hardly blame her. Despite the protective gear, Captain Gomery was soaked to the skin.

  “Can your fairy fly in this weather?” asked Haditha.

  “I truly don’t know,” replied the captain.

  “Well, find out,” ordered Haditha. “We are supposed to let them know that we are nearing the docks.”

  “I left her down below,” replied the captain. “I didn’t see any reason for her to get soaked. Should I go below and get her, or should I stay and help you navigate through this mess?”

  “Go below,” Haditha replied tersely. The captain turned around without letting go of the rail. He stared at the distant hatchway and prepared to dash towards it. “And have your men don their gear. I will need their help docking,” Haditha added.

  Captain Gomery raised an eyebrow. He had never heard Haditha ask for any help maneuvering the ship. He shuddered at the thought of the strain she must be under. He nodded silently and pushed off the rail. The captain dashed across the deck and angled towards the hatchway. The Skate suddenly lurched to port, and the captain found himself sliding towards the rail. He reached out desperately and managed to get his hand on one of the stays. For a moment, his feet were lifted off the deck, but only for a moment. As soon as he had his feet under him again, the captain continued his dash to the hatchway. He raced down the companionway and found Chanz and Warren in the small galley. Squirt was sitting on the table.

  “Get the men ready to dock, Chanz,” ordered the captain, “and have them cover up. It’s getting downright wet out there.”

  Chanz nodded and fled the galley. Warren followed him, leaving the captain alone with the fairy.

  “Can you fly through a storm?”

  “Usually,” the fairy answered without her usual boasting exuberance. “Wet wings are not the best for flying, but it is the strong winds that make flying difficult.”

  “We are in Valdo Bay,” explained the captain. “We are supposed to notify Tedi when we are arriving, but I will not order you out into this storm.”

  “I live to serve the Bringer,” Squirt replied with determination. “If I am meant to carry news to a Knight of Alcea then I will brave the storm. What message do you wish to send?”

  “Tell him that we are already in the harbor,” answered Captain Gomery. “And warn him of the conditions out here. He may decide that it is too risky to proceed. If that is the case, I must know about it immediately. If he intends to continue with the rescue, there is no need for you to return. Find someplace dry and safe until the children are ready.”

  “Your message will be delivered promptly,” vowed the tiny woman.

  Squirt stood and flexed her wings. She leaped off the table and darted out of the galley. As she sped through the hatchway, the wind caught her from behind and tossed her forward. The sudden burst caught the fairy by surprise, almost sending her little body into a shroud. The fairy beat her wings furiously and gained control of her movements. She swiftly soared upward to take her above the masts of any ship between the Skate and land. Once she was above the danger of obstacles, Squirt got giddy with the thrill of flying in the strong winds. She started tacking in the wind in her search for another fairy so that she could cover more of the city without having to turn around and buck the air currents. She sensed Button almost immediately. Zeroing in on the castle-like building near the coast, Squirt dove downward. Her senses took her to a balcony on the top floor and she soared under the roof and landed on Tedi’s free shoulder. Button was standing on the other shoulder, and an elven woman was standing next to the Knight of Alcea. While the balcony was out of the rain and protected from the huge gusts, the wind was still strong. Squirt grabbed onto Tedi’s collar to steady herself.

  “Didn’t your parents warn you about flying in a storm?” quipped Button, “or were they ogres?”

  “I made it here from the ship,” retorted Squirt. “Let’s see if you can get back to it.”

  “Against the wind?” balked Button. “I don’t think so.”

  Tedi shook his head and interrupted the banter. “Report on the Skate, Squirt. Where is it?”

  “It is in the bay,” reported Squirt. “It is having a rough ride. I am to report back if you decide to cancel the rescue.”

  “Cancel the rescue?” balked the elven woman. “That is absurd.”

  “Captain Gomery is only making sure that he is not bringing the other children into port for no reason,” soothed Tedi. “It was a wise question to ask.”

  “The other children?” asked Eulena. “What other children?”

  “The children from Farmin,” answered Squirt. “They are all below deck, and they are all sick. This voyage has not been a pleasant one. The seas are rough.”

  “How long before the Skate docks?” asked Tedi.

  “Within the hour,” answered Squirt.

  “Then we should get moving,” Tedi said to Eulena.

  “Not just yet,” frowned the elven mage. “We cannot have five-hundred children vomiting below deck. I will get Kalmar to see if he can create some potions for them.”

  “The mages have already left the city,” frowned Tedi.

  “I know where they are,” countered Eulena, “and Kalmar took a lot of ingredients with him. He is not a wasteful person.”

  “How much of a delay?” asked the Knight of Alcea.

  “Give me an hour,” Eulena responded. “I will try to get Kalmar to bring the potions to the ship.”

  “Very well,” Tedi sighed with disappointment. “I will check with Strangler to make sure that his men are in position. I will meet you by the reeducation center in an hour.”

  Eulena transformed into a dove and leaped from the balcony. Tedi stared at her with a feeling of awe. No matter how many times he saw a mage do that, he could not help staring. Once the dove was out of sight, Tedi entered his suite and closed the door to the balcony. The fairies let go of his collar as the air currents died to nothing.

  “Don’t get too comfortable,” warned Tedi. “We are going right back into the storm.”

  “I am so into my pocket,” B
utton announced as she slid into Tedi’s pocket.

  “You are going to share,” retorted Squirt as she wiggled her way inside the pocket.

  Tedi shook his head and smiled as the two fairies squirmed to gain the comfort of his pocket. He donned a rain cloak and picked up his staff before heading out the door. When he reached the exit from the Greystone Inn, Tedi pulled the hood close around his face. The winds tore at his cloak, and the rain pelted him, but he did not seem to notice. The Knight of Alcea made his way inland to the block where the reeducation center was located. Half a block away from the center was an apartment building. Tedi entered the building and was met by two large men. They nodded silently as a form of welcome and pointed towards the stairs leading to the basement. Tedi proceeded down the stairs and was met by two more men. They directed him to a door that looked like an old office in the basement of the building. Tedi opened the door and entered the room.

  “So it is time then?” asked Strangler as he and two more men turned towards the door.

  “Not quite yet,” answered Tedi, “but it will be soon. We strike within the hour.”

  “And the ship has arrived?”

  “Within the hour.” Tedi nodded.

  “You certainly picked a dark night for it,” commented Strangler. “It would not matter much if it was daytime. There is not enough light out there to see more than a block.”

  “All of the street torches are out,” commented Tedi. “Do you only have six men for this mission?”

  “No,” replied Strangler. “There are another six in the basement down here. They are just waiting for your word. The others are closer to where they need to be.”

  “Are you sure this is going to work?” asked Tedi.

  “I don’t see why not,” answered the head thief of Valdo. “There are only two places where the children could be seen. They will be vulnerable for the half block between here and the center, and also on the docks. There is little I can do about either of those problem areas, but this storm will keep almost everybody off the streets. It is a blessing in disguise.”