by Reece Dinn
'Apparently he, or she, moves from market to market. To hide themselves from the Konar I'd assume. We'd have to search for them.' Please lose heart. The last thing we need is to be captured by one of those stupid gangs.
The Monster clenched her good hand into a fist. 'Then we'll just have to search hard to find him. It is fate. I know it. We'll find them.'
'I'm sure we will.' Or find some thug with a knife who'll slit our throats and, or rape us. The thought made her shiver so she changed the subject. 'I attended a City Council meeting for you, to see what was going on. The gangs have gotten out of control. Perhaps it'll be wise to wait until the Konar have dealt with them before we venture down there. It's too much of a risk right now.'
The Monster shook her head. 'No. I need proof, like you said. We're going, I don't care about those stupid gangs. We'll take the whole Saban's Guard if we need to. No one is going to stop me. My mother and her dreadful lover are going to rot in prison when I prove what they did.'
What have I done? I should have slit her wrists and claimed she did it to herself. I'm such an idiot. 'Don't get your hopes up too high, Sabu. We might not find this merchant. He is supposedly elusive.' Not to mention imaginary. 'Your mother wants you to return to your lessons, and other duties,' whatever they are, 'so it might be best to see to them for a few days before visiting the lower tiers. Appease her.'
'She can go fuck herself,' the Monster snapped. 'We'll go see the Qotan and Barren today. Then tomorrow we go down below. I'm going to find the proof, Koma. I swear to you. I'll beg the gods if I have to. I will find it.'
Koma picked up a cloth and headed over to the wash bucket. The water in it smelt foul, obviously having not been changed in days. The smell of the bedpan was even worse. It'll have to do. She dipped the cloth in the water, rung it out, then headed back to the Monster. Carefully, she began to dab at the scratches on the Monster's face. The Monster kept perfectly still as she washed her.
'I'll find it, Koma. It is my destiny,' the Monster said quietly.
I hope you find it before we're abducted and raped by dirty, disease riddled thugs.
Chapter Forty Four
They went through the District gate to Nograi in twos and threes to avoid arousing suspicion from the Konar standing guard. Most of the gang still drew unwanted attention however, their rough, dishevelled appearances instantly marking them as rabble.
Awon went through with Norox, who'd been forced to come along by Red after hearing about his 'heroics' in the Konar raid from Awon. Norox wasn't pleased, but he hadn't argued either. In fact he'd spoken little since the raid, and what he had said was nothing more than a grunt or a snort.
Red, Batterox, and Ekviv had been ordered back from Suchai, Cutter wanting all his best men with him for the big raid. He seemed to be willing to risk gambling Suchai District if it meant the possibility of crushing the Drowners in one swift blow. He said Cutter, but it was obvious that Banen had ordered for him to bring his best men. Awon was having difficulty thinking of himself as a Mercher. It felt wrong, like he was betraying someone, but Cutter had done what he'd done. Whether he agreed with it or not was irrelevant now. Winning was all that mattered.
Norox kept his head down as he passed by. They'd given him a big cloak to cover his broken fins, they were sure that the Konar would be looking out for a yegeyor that matched his description. Awon met the gaze of two Konar sat on burmaback under the archway, daring either of them to challenge him. If they did he'd leap up and open both of their throats before they'd even drawn their weapons. He'd fought Konar several times now, he knew they weren't as tough as they acted. When he ruled this city he'd have the Konar-kas himself eating out of the palm of his hand. The two Konar said nothing, but kept their eyes on him as he passed by. Norox breathed a sigh of relief when they were through.
'Scared, yer jenni?' said Awon.
Norox grunted.
Awon cracked his knuckles. 'This'll be easy. We're gonna beat these guys senseless. Banen an' Cutter will 'ave this Drowner guy hangin' by his cock 'fore the day is out.'
'Hope so. Then we might get to go home,' muttered Norox.
'Home? Fuck would yer wanna go back there? They booted you out of yer 'ouse. Yer family's us now.'
Norox looked down at him. 'What about your father? Do you even know where he is?'
'How should I know? Told him ter stay away. It's fer his own good. He's out. Needs ter stay out. When this is over I'll find 'im. When I'm in charge I'll see he 'as 'is shop back. Bigger an' better too.'
'When you're in charge? You're still deluding yourself with that dream?'
'Yer bet I am.'
They walked along the busy main road. Banen had said to meet at the Mastapane Runway Inn. A stupid name for an inn by Awon's reckoning, unless they had some mastapane to ride, or at least eat. The road was clogged up with trobaan drawn carts and red furred diplanes hauling heavy cargoes on their backs. The road reeked of their piss and shit. One miserable looking one looked up at him with its big, sad eyes and Awon almost laughed at the sight of it struggling up the road, its owner pulling it along by the rope wrapped around its long face. Most of the merchants and traders were heading away from the market, finished for the night.
Two Konar walked down the road towards them, guns held casually at their sides.
Norox made that annoying whining sound of his and lowered his head.
Awon sniggered as they passed them by. 'Yer such a fuckin' jenni. Yer killed three of 'em. Why yer scared?'
Norox shot him another look. 'Because I killed three of them, you idiot. If they find out who I am they'll kill me for sure.'
'Fuck 'em. They're cunts an' jennis, the lot of 'em. Yer forgettin' as well that I've killed some too.'
'It's getting hard to keep track of who you have and haven't killed.'
'Jus' doin' what needs doin'.'
Norox grunted.
The Mastapane Runway lay off the main road, just after the big cross junction in the centre of the district, down a side street lined with Dregi trees. Dregi ripe for the picking hung from them, their yellow flesh particularly appealing in the dim glow of Renoma's light and the glow of the many ickbits hovering around them.
A mastapane's green feathered head hung from either side of the inn's sign, the mastapane's yellow eyes glowing like gemstones. Upon closer inspection it was evident that the eyes were in fact gemstones.
'The owner of this place must 'ave some money, eh? Leavin' gemstones lyin' 'round out 'ere fer anyone ter take,' said Awon.
'They're not expensive,' said Norox, opening the door to the inn.
Awon shrugged. 'No? Ah well.'
Most of the crew were sat around tables drinking mugs of ale. Banen and Cutter sat at the back of the room, Ten by Cutter's side. Cutter rubbed the top of Ten's head as he spoke, no doubt regaling the tale of how Ten'd saved the day yet again. If Awon didn't know any better he'd have said Cutter had a thing for his small friend. Ten looked uncomfortable being constantly rubbed by him. Banen didn't look particularly interested in Cutter's story, which was good for Ten, the last thing he needed was more attention.
Next to them sat Red and Gobmu, the right hand guys. When together, Red and Banen looked like they could be brothers from some family of giants that he'd heard about once in the old stories his father had badly regaled to him as a child. Both guys spoke in a similarly aggressive way, and roared a lot too. Both were clearly up for a fight at any time of day.
Batterox, the Brebuu, Ekviv, and two other mean looking Mercher guys sat around a table across the room passing around a bottle of rum. Awon nudged Norox and the two made for their table, shoving aside several scruffy children clogging up the spaces in between tables, pleading to anyone who'd listen for a sip of ale.
'Whatcha drinkin'?' asked Awon, pulling a stool over from the table beside them.
Norox dropped down onto all fours.
The Brebuu handed him the bottle. 'Careful. It's strong.'
'Bah,' said Awon, waving aw
ay the warning. He took a big swig, then instantly spat it back out all over the table.
'What was just said?' snapped the Brebuu.
'He's just wasted some of my rum,' said Ekviv, his dark eyes boring into Awon.
'Was only a mouthful,' said one of the Mercher guys.
'What's in that?' said Awon, swilling saliva around his mouth, attempting to rid himself of the acrid taste.
'Good rum,' said Batterox, making a rumbling sound. 'Not for little human boys.'
'Prick.' Awon went up to the bar and asked for a mug of water.
The innkeeper, an older guy with a weird downward-turning moustache, laughed at him but poured him the drink.
'Yer a prick too,' Awon said to him over his shoulder as he walked back to the table with his drink.
'You'll become a man one day,' the innkeeper shouted back.
Awon sat back down and drank the mug of water in one big gulp.
'I hear yer the one that started all this,' one of the Mercher guys said to Awon, leaning in close. He had an ugly face, with scars on either side of his mouth that made him look like he was sad all the time.
'Started a fight with some cunt lookin' fer trouble. Happens to be a Drowner. The rest jus' happened from there, I guess,' said Awon.
'Jus' happened from there?' exclaimed Sad Face. 'That's a short version of ter truth, ain't it. From what I 'ear, anyway.'
'Yer 'eard the story already, sounds like. Fuck should I tell it again fer?'
'I told you he's an annoying shit, didn't I?' said Batterox.
'Should knock his teeth in,' said Sad Face.
'How 'bout after this, you an' me 'ave a little talk, one on one?' said Awon.
Batterox punched him hard in the arm. 'Stop causing trouble.'
'Ow,' yelped Awon, then immediately felt embarrassed. To his relief no one laughed.
They sat around drinking and talking for a while. More of the crew appeared at the inn in groups of twos and threes. When the last guys arrived and had a drink in their hands Banen stood up and addressed the room.
'Alright you gang of cunts,' he yelled. The room quietened instantly. The innkeeper disappeared into the back room.
'This the first time we're all together as one big, happy, fucking family,' Banen began. 'Don't none of you get all emotional on me. There's work to be done. Tonight we're gonna end this war we're now involved in in one big blow. You know why we're here.'
The crew smacked the table with their mugs of ale. Awon did too. Norox sat quietly on all fours by his side, looking at the ground.
'Their lair is under the aqueduct,' Banen continued. 'Gonna be cramped and wet. Anyone scared of a little water better go now.'
That raised some laughs.
'We want this over with. Ain't interested in having this drag on for months and months. Hit them hard and fast, while they have their trousers around their ankles.'
Cutter got to his feet. 'My guys have been fighting these bastards for long enough now to know that they're tougher, and cleverer, than they look. Don't let yourselves be caught off guard. And be prepared for anything. Unless I'm wrong the Konar are helping them. There's always the chance that they've got men watching their hideout in case of an attack. Be prepared.'
'We're gonna rule this city like no one ever has,' cried Banen, and the whole crew roared their approval.
'Bout time we got down to it,' Awon said to Norox.
The yegeyor grunted, pulling his cloak tighter around himself.
The Merchers hurried down the back streets of Nograi District, swiftly making their way to the aqueduct. Banen led the way, his right hand guy, Gobmu, bringing up the rear. Cutter and Red stayed together in the middle, Ten sticking to Cutter's side.
Awon and Norox ran close behind them, Norox on all fours, which to Awon's surprise made him run faster. He struggled to keep up with the usually slower yegeyor. Having left his rifle behind at Cutter's warehouse during the Konar raid Awon was now rifle-less, and there were none spare to take. Most of the Mercher guys had rifles, he reckoned that they must have raided a Konar Station at some point to have so many. Or maybe even military barracks. All Awon had was his cleaver and a knife. More than enough to cut open a Drowner or three.
Many windows of the homes they passed by glowed with candle light, people settling down to their evening meals, or even to turn in for the night. One or two heads poked out of windows to watch the crew as they ran on down the streets.
By the time they neared the aqueduct the sky was dark, full of stars and Renoma's light, the red moon big and bright, its dusty surface clear and distinct. Karrons lined the rooftops of the houses they passed by, their dark outlines casting shadows on the ground.
They'd zigzagged through the district to a place in the city wall where there was a slope that led up to a part underneath the aqueduct, just behind the tall wall. The aqueduct rose above it by the height of a regularly sized house.
Cautiously, they approached the slope, looking about for anyone watching, Drowner, Konar, or anyone else. Unless there was a traitor amongst the Mercher ranks the Drowners would have no idea of the Merchers and Cutters merger. The last thing they'd be expecting was an attack on their hideout when the Cutters were on their last legs.
Red drew out a long, fat, curved sword, a foreign looking blade that Awon thought was brilliant. He wanted it immediately and made a note to keep an eye on Red. If he died he'd claim it. The big guy didn't have a rifle, but by the menacing look on his face it didn't look like he'd need one.
Norox made a rumbling noise.
'Yer ready fer a fight?' asked Awon.
'Ready for this to be over with,' the yegeyor replied.
'Stay by me an' yer'll be fine.'
Norox snorted, rising onto his hind legs and throwing off his cloak, revealing the broken fins all over his body. Somehow them being broken made him more intimidating than when they were whole, due to the many sharp points.
The gang scrambled up the slope, the guys at the front bracing for an attack that didn't come. Awon shoved his way through the guys, eager to be at the front when the fighting started. Norox trailed him.
At the top Red and those with him rushed underneath the arch of the aqueduct to a dark tunnel in the rubble and mud mound that made up the foundations of the next tiers up. Awon had always suspected that there must be a whole network of tunnels running beneath the upper tiers. He was glad he'd figured it out for himself before he'd seen this. Made him feel clever.
They rushed into the tunnel. The air was heavier here, and moist. The ground damp and squelched under foot, mud flicking into his shoes. Norox seemed untroubled by it. There was no light anywhere, and Awon kept bumping into Norox as he hurried along, scraping his arms on Norox's broken fins.
'Gonna bleed ter death 'fore we even make it,' he said to Norox.
'Stop bashing me then.' the yegeyor grumbled.
Light at the end of the tunnel spilled out from under a big wooden door built into the foundations at the end of the tunnel.
'Get ready boys,' bellowed Banen, no longer caring for stealth.
They increased their pace. Awon grabbed hold of Norox's shoulder to keep up with him.
Banen smashed down the wooden door, only to find that the tunnel kept on going beyond it. The tunnel led straight for a while, then turned right. Around the corner it opened out into a vast cavern that dropped down to a stone floored bottom. A path spiralled along the cavern walls down to the ground. Along it were entrances to other tunnels. On the ground below were a dozen or so men sat around a large fire, their attention drawn up to them.
The Merchers charged down the descending path, emptying their lungs with their battle cries.
'What you waiting for boys? Shoot them,' Baten shouted to those carrying rifles.
Before his riflemen could open fire the Drowners below sprung into motion. One of them blew into a horn and the sound it made rumbled through the whole cavern, making Awon's stomach vibrate.
'C'mon,' he yelled t
o Norox, grabbing him by the arm. 'Need to get down there 'fore they're all dead.'
Before Norox could respond the deafening wail of the Merchers rifles filled the cavern. Dozens of beams shot down to the bottom, their bright light blindingly bright.
'C'mon,' Awon shouted again, although he couldn't hear it. He tugged on Norox's hand and the two of them ran on ahead, shoving past guys clogging up the pathway down. Other guys, including Red and Ekviv had the same idea as Awon and ran on ahead too.
Awon glanced over the edge. Several Drowners were down, but most of the beams had missed their marks. Those that'd survived were disappearing into a tunnel below.
Red roared, waving his sword over his head like some barbarian from Awon's father's stories. The rest of the crew followed after him. Awon ran harder, eager to keep up. As Red and Ekviv reached the first tunnel along the path a handful of Drowners poured out of it and attacked.
Red took the head of the first guy that came at him, his new sword severing his head with ease before he could even get his knife up to Red's throat. Ekviv deftly carved up a guy with his own curved blade, the dark man's sword a blur of motion. The other guys with Red didn't fare so well, the Drowners making a bloody mess of them.
Awon cried, pushed off of Norox, and leapt at the first Drowner he came upon, a guy bringing his cudgel down on the head of one of Awon's allies. Awon kicked the guy in the chest with both feet, sending him sprawling into the guy beside him. Before the two Drowners could untangle themselves Awon slashed at the legs of the one he'd kicked, opening up wounds in his thighs. The guy cried out, but Awon cut it off quickly by slicing open his throat. The one underneath pushed his dying companion off him, but before he could act Norox embedded his fist into his face, broken fin stabbing into it.
Further down the path, on the other side of the cavern more Drowners were charging out of tunnels, these guys heavily armed.
'RIFLES,' Awon cried.
The Drowners raised their rifles and fired, blinding light and wailing filling the cavern. The beams shot into the guys behind Awon. The Merchers' riflemen returned fire.
