As for Karok, the dwarf was once a king’s bodyguard. What happened to cause the tragedy that got the Apgrim king killed, Finn could only guess. It had destroyed the clan and forced the few survivors into a mercenary’s existence.
Finn travelled in grim company.
By the end of the first day, they had reached the south end of the great Krystorian forest and the land had become more open. It was flat and dotted with small clumps of trees and periodic farms. They were miles from the forest when they stopped and made camp beside the road. On Severus’s recommendation, they planned to avoid the roadside inns for as long as they could. They would be good places where the Brotherhood could ambush them.
After making camp, they ate a simple meal. All three ate in silence and brooded over their own thoughts. When it was time to sleep, Finn took the first watch, followed by Karok. Severus would take the last watch. He stated that he was feeling much better and was almost his old self. Finn knew that it was an exaggeration.
The next morning was overcast and threatened rain. Dark grey clouds filled the sky and a cold wind blew from the north. The day promised to be miserable. They had only travelled a few miles when rolling thunder echoed through the land, a short time later the rain came. It started light but after a short time, it was bucketing down. On Finn’s insistence, Severus moved into the back of the wagon where it was drier under its canvas cover.
The road was devoid of traffic and most sensible folk were indoors. By midday Finn was soaked to the skin and cold, but he didn’t complain. Karok offered to take over but Finn insisted that there was no need for two of them to be wet.
By early afternoon, the rain was so heavy Finn couldn’t see too far ahead and on more than one occasion he guided the wagon off the road. Fortunately, the heavy downpour was short-lived and by late afternoon, it had eased into a steady drizzle.
They were now far enough south that the Cold Heart Mountains could no longer be seen. Finn had never been anywhere before where he couldn’t see mountains in the distance.
Just before sunset, Finn could see distant lights that promised shelter and warmth. He hoped one was an inn. The surrounding land was flat and mostly open. As they got closer to the lights, he could see farm houses and a roadside inn. His stomach rumbled and he longed to stop and get dry.
Severus poked his head through the canvas and said, “The rain has almost stopped so let’s stop and get you dry. I’d do with a hot meal as well.”
“And some ale,” said the dwarf.
The rain had stopped by the time they parked the wagon behind the inn and saw to the horses. A faded sign at the inn’s front displayed a tree and the words ‘The Blue Oak.’ The three wet companions entered the small wooden building.
Finn moved to the fire place and rubbed his hands together. His father and Karok moved to the bar to order food and drinks. Once he had warmed up a little, Finn looked around the room. It was similar to most inns and its only patrons were three old men talking together at a table. Their weathered faces were a comforting sight and the young eldon smiled.
Finn’s attention turned back to the fire when he heard one of the old men say, “…I tell you they were zombies…” Finn’s gaze returned to the men sipping their beers.
“…yeah, there was a horde of them…maybe following that carriage—”
“What carriage?” said another.
“The carriage that stopped here this morning. That’s when I saw zombies. In the wood, near Roberto’s farm. They scared his cattle.”
“You’re blind. You can’t see ten yards and that wood is at least two hundred yards from your place.”
“I say they were zombies!” The three old men bickered about what a zombie looked like.
Zombies following a carriage! thought Finn. That has to be the master.
Severus and Karok sat at a table near the fire and Finn joined them. “The master was here this morning.”
“How do you know?” asked Severus.
“The locals are talking about zombies and a carriage passing through.”
“And Anna?”
“I don’t know. I can ask them.” Finn moved to the old men and asked if they saw the occupants of the carriage. They said that they didn’t and had no more information to share. Finn returned to his companions with the news.
“We’re less than a day behind. We must go now,” said Finn.
“It’s dark and they’ll have to stop for the night as well. We can leave before sun up tomorrow,” said Severus. “Besides, we don’t want to fight zombies in the dark.”
Karok looked up from his ale. “I’ll take that challenge!”
Chapter 47
They had travelled for several days and Severus’s health improved each day. He moved a lot freer and almost appeared to be back to normal. The worst of it was over and Finn was relieved as they would be in the capital by the end of the day.
Karok spent days either staring grimly out the back of the wagon or sharpening one of his many weapons. He was not big on conversation and made a poor travelling companion—preferring his own company to that of the eldons.
As the day wore on, the traffic increased—there were many wagons laden with goods, people on horses and on foot all entering the main road from numerous side roads and most travelled south. The road now passed through rolling grasslands with numerous small hamlets and villages scattered along the way. They stopped occasionally to buy food or to ask about the road ahead but were cautious of watchful eyes. There was no sign of the master’s carriage or a zombie army and Finn now doubted the old men’s story. There was also no sign of Kliem.
In the late afternoon, they crested a small rise in the road and were greeted with an impressive sight. A massive city stretched out before them. Finn sucked in his breath in awe. It was the largest structure he had seen. “And I thought Parma was big…” he muttered. Severus smiled. Rulle was surrounded by a high stone wall—over thirty yards in height. Coloured flags flew from tall stone towers within and soldiers marched along the battlements.
From their vantage point they could see afternoon light glimmering off water as the city was built beside a great sea which stretched as far as the eye could see. White birds circled the many ships that floated in the vast harbour.
“What do you think of your first glimpse of a real city?” asked Severus.
“I cannot image…that many people…” Finn was lost for words.
“You better get the wagon going. You are blocking the road.”
They passed through gates thicker than a man and under an iron portico to enter the city. Finn was amazed at the thickness of the city walls—it was twenty yards thick. Twenty armed guards stood in the wall’s tunnel and vigilantly watched the traffic come and go. And there was a steady procession of people entering and leaving the massive city. In fact, everywhere Finn looked there were people!
Once through the gates, the entrance led into a large open courtyard and then into streets and the rest of the city beyond. People hurried about their business and they quickly became a blur as they passed; the rich, the poor, soldiers, men, women, children and several underfed dogs trotted in and out of people’s feet.
Severus took the reins and skilfully guided the wagon through the crowd, up one street and down the next. Finn’s attention was firmly on the city’s sights, the tall buildings with unusual architecture, the people and sounds. In no time he was totally lost. Luckily his father seemed know where he was going.
To begin with they travelled through the wealthier part of the city with tall, grand buildings, churches and towers. Then they drove through the merchant quarter with its markets, taverns and warehouses and finally, they came to the run down sector where many houses had fallen into disrepair. After some time, Severus stopped the wagon in front of an old building with a large horseshoe painted on a sign above its door. It was a stable and the smell of salty air placed it not far from the wharf. White birds, which Severus called gulls, drifted on the air currents high overhea
d, squawking at each other.
“We’ll sell the wagon here,” said Severus. “And your horses.”
“Patch and Brownie?”
“They’ll be a hindrance to us and make us stand out. City folk don’t need or ride horses. We don’t know what’s going to happen here and we may have to leave quickly. And from my experiences, not through the front gates.”
Finn hadn’t expected to sell his horses. He had been through a lot since he rescued them but he reluctantly agreed—his father was right. They would only slow them down.
Severus haggled with the stable owner and negotiated a fair price.
“Now, let’s find your friend.”
The two eldons and the dwarf asked around the streets and taverns for any information about Anna and Princess Maria. There was no real news in the poorer sector as people didn’t care about the royals and many openly insulted the king. Someone said the princess was due back in the city soon but didn’t know if she had already returned from the north.
“Maybe we should knock on the king’s door and ask to speak to his daughter,” suggested Karok.
“I’ll speak to some of my old contacts. They might have news,” said Severus. “I can’t imagine that the princess’s return is a secret. You two can wait in there.” He indicated a tavern and handed Finn his pack. “I’ll return soon.”
“Take your time, eldon. We’ll be safe in that tavern,” the dwarf said.
“Yes, but will the ale be safe from you?”
As it was early evening, the tavern was quiet. Finn and Karok sat at a table away from the front door and a barmaid brought them two drinks. But before she walked back to the bar, the dwarf had drained his mug and asked for another. “Travelling is thirsty work,” he said when he noticed Finn looking at him.
It was almost midnight and most of the patrons had come and gone when a tall cloaked person entered the tavern. It was Severus. He sat at their table and threw back his hood. He looked worried.
“Is anything wrong?” asked Finn.
“It appears that there are many strangers in the city and there is talk of war coming to Krystoria. Something is going on and most people are tight-lipped about it.”
“What of Anna?”
“I heard nothing about her but the princess has been seen in her father’s court today. She is well, or so they say.”
Putting down his mug, Karok asked, “What are these strangers you mention?”
“It appears that the Wizards of Solaris are in the city. They have been summoned by Lord Tollis—”
“The master!” interrupted Finn. “Why?”
“My contacts don’t know but it is rumoured that the wizards haven’t been in the same location for more than hundred years. Something big is happening.”
“Are they here for Anna?”
“I don’t know. But if the master is involved, it can’t be good.”
Severus noticed Finn clenching his fist. “Don’t worry, son, we will find her.”
“I hope you are right.” …before it’s too late.
Early the next morning, the trio stood outside the king’s palace. It was a massive stone structure that stood high on a cliff overlooking the harbour and an array of small islands. The palace was surrounded by a high stone wall and it was well protected by the royal household guards—no doubt some of the best warriors in the kingdom. Entry looked impossible.
“There must be a hundred guards,” said Finn.
“With twenty good dwarves we would be through the main gate before opening hours,” Karok said with a strange glint in his eyes.
“Nothing is impenetrable,” replied Severus. “I believe the cliff would be our easiest way in.”
“Dwarves don’t climb, we dig,” stated Karok.
Climb a cliff? That sounds like madness.
“I can see no alternative,” said Severus.
“Can’t we just ask to see her?” asked the dwarf. “Surely the king will free Anna from this master.”
“Lord Tollis is the king’s cousin and is very influential in court.” Severus’s features were unreadable and his voice was steady. “He has the king’s ear or so they say. I think knocking on the front door will probably get us killed.”
“Cliff then?” asked Finn.
“Yes. We’ll climb the cliff.”
Chapter 48
Moonlight shone down on Finn as he sat alone in a small boat. It was his first time in a boat and he found its gentle bobbing on the sea soothing but worrisome. He was a little concerned with the boat’s stability but Severus had assured him before he started his long climb up the cliff face that it would not capsize—so long as he didn’t thrash about too much.
They had left Karok observing the palace’s main gate as there was no way they could haul the heavy dwarf and his weapons up the cliff. He seemed disappointed that he might miss some of the action but there was no other way. Finn would miss his axe if they had to fight their way out of a tricky situation.
Just before nightfall, Severus hired the small boat from an old fisherman and they had slowly rowed around the harbour. Out on the open water, Finn felt exposed. He was sure the moonlight would give them away but there was no alarm given and the other anchored vessels they passed looked deserted apart from deck guards who paid them little attention.
Why is it taking him so long? He was worried about being spotted.
Severus had been gone for what seemed like half a night but was probably a lot shorter. Strapping strange claws to his hands and feet, Severus climbed straight up the cliff’s rough surface. He wore his brown cloak and had a long, thin, coiled rope over his shoulder.
Finn’s gaze wandered across the harbour to the city lights. It looked beautiful in the night and he was amazed, the city looked larger and even more spread out than it did in the daylight. His father had said that beyond the harbour there were several small islands scattered throughout the Krystorian bay. Finn could only see the silhouette of the closest island—it was dark and somewhat foreboding. There were no lights on the island making it looked uninhabited.
A rope dropped from above, its end whipping the air above Finn’s head. Doing as instructed, Finn tied the rope around his waist and started the long climb up the cliff. High above Severus took up the slack, keeping the rope taunt.
The climb was difficult. Finn grew up in the mountains and was accustomed to scaling rocky outcrops but this was much harder. The cliff wall was rough and rocks jutted out, making it possible to gain purchase but the whole surface was covered in sea spray making it wet and slippery. He slipped several times and was saved from a fatal fall by the rope.
Clinging to the rocks, he slowly hauled himself up—hand over hand. His muscles screamed with pain and fatigue and he was wet with sweat and salt water but he had no choice—he had to keep going.
After what seemed like forever, a strong hand gripped Finn’s shoulder and hauled him up. He lay on his back with his eyes closed, breathing heavily. All energy had left his body and he was motionless except for the rise and fall of his chest and the intake of his breath.
“You did well,” said Severus. “But we are not in the palace yet.”
Finn groaned. He was already spent and didn’t fancy what the rest of the night might bring.
They stood on a ledge two yards wide which rose above them. Severus grabbed Finn’s shoulder and pointed to an iron grate embedded into the side of the cliff. Water trickled out of the bottom of the grate and along a worn groove in the rock ledge before it ran over the cliff edge and into the sea far below.
“We’ll enter the palace through this drain,” said Severus.
“That’s not…”
“Sewage? No, that’s further along the cliff. This is where the rain water flows out of the palace.” Severus produced a short iron bar from his cloak and started to work levering the grate. The rusty metal bent a little before it tore free from the rock wall. He then produced a small wax candle from his cloak, lit it and they crep
t into the drain. The drain’s roof was so low that both eldons had to bend over to make their way through it.
Severus led Finn through the maze of the tunnels in silence. Other tunnel branches joined periodically to the one they travelled. In the wet darkness, Finn had totally lost his bearings. He was more at home in the mountains or forests than in this warren of underground tunnels.
After some time, Severus came to halt in a section of tunnel that they could stand upright in. Above their heads was an iron grate and beyond it was the open sky. Severus brought a finger to his lips, indicating silence and then blew out the candle. They both listened but it was quiet above. Grabbing the grate, Severus pulled himself up and pushed his face against the bars. After a quick look he dropped down again.
“We’re under the main courtyard,” he whispered. “And I cannot see any guards. We’ll exit the drain here and move to the closest building’s shadows. Understood?”
Finn put his back against the wall and cupping his hands, boosted Severus up to the grate. Its rusty hinges groaned in protest as it swung open. Carefully he lowered it to the ground and then grabbing the edge of the opening, pulled himself up and out of the drain. Finn jumped and caught the edge of the opening and with a swing of his legs, he flicked his lean body up and scrambled after his father. Severus lowered the grating and they moved to the shadow of a nearby building. Soldiers moved on the battlements high above them but no one saw or challenged them.
“Where to?” whispered Finn.
“The main building,” his father replied softly. “Follow me.”
Finn marvelled at his father’s grace as he moved from shadow to shadow. Even at a close range the master assassin’s brown cloak made him almost impossible to detect. It was a good colour for nocturnal activities. Finn surveyed the courtyard before he followed his father toward the largest building inside the grounds. They moved past the main doors and down the side of the building where Finn imagined the kitchens and servants’ quarters must be.
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