Guardians of Evil

by C. R. Daems

  “The two who were searching found a man who Sechael claims is an agent, and they have him at the temple, torturing him,” Liada said.

  “Yes, Brom’s our Ostono agent.” Emmund prowled the room, mouth in a thin line. “We can’t be sure how much of our organization has been compromised.”

  “How much does he know?” Liada asked.

  “We keep our identities secret, even from each other which will help. The three elders and I know the Ostono, Sporish, and Gorlack agents. They don’t know our identities.” He stalked the room some more. “But the Ostono agent has two who work with him and contacts in Ostono. That means all those will be compromised. And, he may, given enough time, be able to provide small facts about his peers or me that could lead to finding us.”

  “Freeing him from the temple isn’t going to be easy,” Liada said.

  “Brom is our priority until we can free him or they kill him. While he lives we are all potentially at risk.” He looked from Zeph to Liada. “Liada, stay close to the Inn. You keep an eye on her, Zeph. I can’t spare a man right now.” Without another word, Emmund slipped out the door.

  “I thought something big was going to happen,” Zeph said into the silence. “But not something like that.”

  “Sechael is more than he appears. He was in a hurry to deliver messages to Llunris, further up-country, and to Ostono. Yet, he’s still here. Now we know why.” She frowned, trying to think what to do. “Aliy, watch Sechael. He has to be the key to this puzzle. Tali, Kaim, stay with me until we know more.”

  Up until now, the game advantage had been theirs. Suddenly, the priests had the advantage. Spying was like bargaining. The better you understood whom you were dealing with the better chance of getting a good bargain. In spying, the better you understood your opponent the better your chance of winning. They needed to understand Sechael, and they didn’t. Somehow Sechael and his people were able to find Brom’s identity.

  “How did they know who he was?” she said.

  Zeph just shook his head.

  * * * *

  Aliy returned late the next day, landing on Liada’s shoulder, its thin feathers brushing her neck. It tickled and she smiled, happy to feel her friend return.

  “Why are you smiling?” Zeph asked. “I don’t see anything funny. Seems like the priests know more than is good for us.”

  “Aliy is back. It always tickles when it lands. I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow or the next day, but I have good friends, you and the First Ones…” She blinked. “…maybe even Emmund. And today is good. I don’t want to ruin it worrying.”

  “I worry about you. I can’t help it. The priests aren’t stupid, and you’re far too willing to risk your life,” Zeph said. He looked unhappy and worried.

  “Zeph, since the priests aren’t stupid, we’ll just have to be a little smarter,” she said, pointing to her owl tatt. She was sorry Zeph was worried, but she couldn’t help her good mood.

  “Do you want to hear what I found out or are you going to continue to worry, Zeph?” Aliy’s warm laugh tingled her ear. Liada motioned Zeph over to her side.

  “Sorry, Aliy, what did you find out?” she asked.

  I can’t help being happy, she mused then giggled. “Sorry.”

  Zeph punched her lightly on the shoulder and gave her a weak smile. “You’re terrible—worse than when you dumped manure on me.”

  “When Mareld asked about Brom, Sechael said he would be leaving for Llunris in two days, and he was taking Brom. Sechael told him they had stopped questioning him, as they wanted him fit to travel. He was in poor condition. Sechael believes given time, Brom will be able to remember enough facts about the organization to be able to break it.”

  “That means that he’s talked.” Liada frowned and a chill went through her. “Aliy, how long will it take for Sechael to travel to Llunris?”

  “Llunris is a hard two days’ travel—for humans.” Aliy’s laugh was warm and comforting.

  “Emmund and his men could rescue Brom if it’s only Sechael guarding him,” Liada said, but she knew she was missing an important bit of information. They still didn’t know their opponent.

  “Mareld asked how they had found out about Brom. He didn’t even know that Gorlack had a secret organization, and he was on the Elder Council. Sechael thought that was funny and laughed. He told him the gods blessed the priests and that is why they were given the Quag and should rule. One of Brom’s agents, Varglo, realized the priests were the protectors of the people and contacted the priests in Ostono. Varglo identified his contacts and Brom. He was properly compensated for his information.” Aliy paused. “I couldn’t be sure but from Sechael’s tone and his smile, I would guess that Varglo offered the information for gold. Something about the way Sechael said ‘appropriately rewarded’ made me think he was killed after he informed.”

  “That makes sense. If the two know anything about Emmund—” Zeph said.

  Emmund returned before Zeph and she had finished discussing Aliy’s information.

  “Sechael is leaving in two days.” Liada continued to bring him up to date on what Aliy had learned.

  “Does Brom know anything about Liada’s involvement with you in Ostono?” Zeph asked.

  “No, although he may have known I had a contact.”

  “…and then Liada and I left Ostono,” Zeph added.

  “I know Brom can’t identify you directly, but is there anything about you he can?” Liada asked. Zeph had made a good point, enough to ruin her mood. If the priests realized the two events were related, her parents and Zeph’s could be in trouble. And in Ostono the priests had far more authority than those in Gorlack.

  “He may have seen part of my face, and…the Elder tatt on my forehead.” Emmund sucked in a breath. “It’s not unique, but it’s rare.”

  “If we travel to Llunris and then to Ostono you’ll be easy to spot,” Zeph said.

  “Yes, but there’s nothing I can do about it,” Emmund said, rubbing his forehead. “Even if I cover it with makeup as I have in the past, that isn’t likely to hide it well enough.”

  “Tali?” Liada said.

  “Yes, if you wish I can remove it,” Tali whispered although no one could have heard if she’d shouted.

  “My friends can remove it.” Liada used the term “friends” so as not to single out Tali. She didn’t know why but she was reluctant to give out too much information about the First Ones just in case.

  “What! You mean you can remove your tatt?”

  “Yes, although I didn’t know that when I agreed to be tattooed. It was my willing commitment to the First Ones.”

  Emmund didn’t answer for a while, and again rubbed his forehead. Liada sensed that one tatt was more important to him than all the others.

  “Very well. Then removing mine will show my commitment to the First Ones and Gorlack. What do you want me to do?”

  “Have him lay on the bed. It will take a while,” Tali said from her perch on Liada’s shoulder.

  “Lay on the bed. They say it will take a while.”

  Emmund lay on the bed, his hands clenched, but he didn’t say anything as Liada and Zeph watched the tatt slowly disappear. An hour later it was completely gone. Emmund looked at his reflection in the mirror and shook his head. He rubbed the spot on his forehead. “It’s really gone,” he said softly. He shook his head again before he turned away from the mirror. “I’ll arrange for our transportation tomorrow and for help in freeing Brom.” Then he was gone silently out the door.

  “That is the first time I’ve seen him shook up,” Zeph said and laughed for the first time all night.

  * * * *

  The next morning, Liada intercepted Herad when he entered the kitchen.

  “Master Herad, I’m sorry but—”

  “You have to leave,” he interrupted and smiled. “I knew when you came here that you wouldn’t stay long and that I was covering for you. It’s been more enjoyable than I’d expected. Anytime you would like to c
ome back, you are welcome.”

  “Thank you. I enjoyed your instruction, and I’d like to come back someday.”

  “Until then,” Herad said and walked into the kitchen, dismissing her.

  I wonder if all master craftsmen are naturally aloof or they learn it along with their craft. She shook her head. Master cooks, tattoo artist, blacksmiths, boat masters…and master spies.

  Liada spent the rest of the day at the two markets. First, she stopped at the woman clothes vendor.

  “Good morning, Mam,” Liada said as she entered.

  “Good morning, wise one,” the woman said with a smile. “That remark about the price you paid helped me with two sales. That was clever and thoughtful.”

  “One good turn deserves another,” Liada said.

  “And you expect another.” The woman roared with laughter. “Pick out what you want, and I’ll give you a fair price. That will preclude all the games we’ll have to play.”

  Liada picked out several: a shirt, vest, and pants for Zeph. The woman charged her only a silver and four coppers. A very fair price. She waited until another customer came in.

  “Thank you again, Mam. You were the cheapest in the market,” she said as she took the package from the merchant. She giggled as she wended her way through the crowd towards the East Market. She hoped that would help the woman get another good sale or two. She spent the next couple of hours watching the Gorlack shoppers. To look like a Gorlack it took more than a tatt. The way they wore their clothes, the way they held themselves and walked, the way they talked. Over the past week she’d been taking lessons from Aliy and could carry on a limited conversation. It improved every day and she hoped she could learn more on the way to Llunris. In Ostono and Sporish she could always use the trade language, Butash.

  When she returned to the Inn, Emmund and Zeph were waiting for her.

  “Come, we are going to get you both some tatts. It will help disguise you as we travel.”

  “But…” Zeph said, then he stopped. “You’re right. If they’re after us, they will dismiss those with tatts.” The rest of the day they spent at the tattoo parlor. Liada got a facial tatt showing she was from the Southeast Mountain Clans, and two more tatts on her arm. One with her name, Jatia, and one stating she was a registered cook and no longer an apprentice. Zeph got three tatts. One claimed him a registered blacksmith, one with his alias, Zack, and an abstract Gorlack horse.

  Zeph complained loudly that no one had mentioned that getting them hurt. The rest of the day, she dragged Zeph around the markets teaching him some expressions in Gorlack and having him watch people. It was late when they got back to the Inn. Zeph was doing well. She hoped to add to his limited vocabulary during the trip to Llunris. So long as he didn’t have to carry on a conversation with a Gorlack, he could probably manage. They would soon be going back to Ostono where it wouldn’t matter.

  Kaim unexpectedly arrived while Liada was packing. Kaim had been watching Sechael, until Emmund was ready to leave. Emmund wanted to be ahead of Sechael in order to be ready to free Brom. Kaim’s unmistakable tickle alerted Liada to his arrival.

  “Hello. You’re early.” Kaim wouldn’t have returned if it were good news.

  “Sechael is carrying a Quag.”

  “Only a priest—”

  Of course! Now they knew their opponent. No wonder he felt safe traveling alone with Brom. He was a very senior priest. The one who’d orchestrated the Roganistas’ grand scheme. He’d been an undercover member of the House of Laws for years, preparing for this day.

  Chapter 14

  Gorlack: Llunris

  As dawn brightened the horizon, a black carriage clattered up. Liada smiled but wanted to laugh at Emmund in the driver’s seat with his black hat and long slightly tattered overcoat with brown pants. He seemed to go well with the rattling carriage. It looked like the same one he’d used to take them from the docks to the Yellow Fin Inn. She climbed in and settled herself on the worn burgundy leather seat, facing forward, while Zeph put their box of clothes in the back and then joined her.

  “At least we’ll have plenty of room.” Zeph settled into the opposite seat and stretched out his legs in front of him. Liada wondered if he had gotten taller. His shoulders had broadened with all the work in the smithies. She’d noticed that the girls in the markets watched after him, and she didn’t blame them. He was a good-looking young man.

  Emmund started the coach moving. It wasn’t long before the houses became fewer and the city fell behind them. The ride went from smooth to bumping over ruts, rocks, and washed-out areas caused by water draining across the road from the hills. Liada spent the time trying to teach Zeph more Gorlack words. She wasn’t trying to get him fluent, just provide him enough of a vocabulary to get by in an emergency. She had him repeat the words after her until he got grumpy. Saying he was tired, he lay back and napped—or pretended to. So, she practiced with Aliy and listened to stories about Gorlack and the Firebirds.

  Emmund stopped around noon for them to stretch, relieve themselves, and eat the bread, cheese, goulash, and a dark-berry juice she’d packed. Not fancy but tasty and filling.

  “How much further today?” Zeph asked. Liada wasn’t sure if he was tired of the bouncing around or of her and the lessons.

  “There are three Inns along the road to Llunris. One is for travelers who are going to make it a two day trip. The others are the right distance for the second and third nights. I’ve decided to take three days. I believe Sechael will do the same so we’ll stay one day ahead of him. Maybe we can come up with a plan to free Brom. It’s going to be hard. I’ve decided not to involve my agents.” Emmund stopped to sip his juice. “It would be too easy for them to identify one of us if they were captured. If Sechael didn’t have a Quag with him, I could have had them ambush him without having to involve us.”

  “How are we going to ambush Sechael and a Quag?” Zeph asked.

  “Even if we are, we’re pretty safe. Emmund doesn’t have the Elder’s tatt, and you and I have enough to pass for Gorlacks.” Liada pointed to her arms and smiled. Zeph didn’t seem satisfied with her reasoning and stayed quiet as they climbed back in the carriage. He scowled at her when she tried to ask Aliy to teach them the word for horseshoe, so she gave up.

  “Tali, tell me about the Quag,” Liada asked. She knew they were dangerous, they could kill First Ones, and she hated them. But knowing more might help them defeat them.

  “They were created some time after the First Ones. No one knows why they’re mutated in some form or another. Like they are part this and part that without being either. Their colors are dull and their talents are erratic. You remember the Quag who was chasing me at the market? His blasts of fire missed because it couldn’t control it. The blasts were wild.”

  “Are they as fast and can they travel the same distances as you?”

  “Yes. Each of us varies slightly in our energy. One Quag may not be able to match my distance whereas another could out-distance me.”

  “So that’s what happened at the market? The Quag couldn’t last the distance?” Liada asked.

  Zeph perked up, hearing Liada ask her friends something relating to the incident at the Market, and leaned forward to listen.

  “No. The Quag and we are pure energy, but it’s not inexhaustible. We must be visible to use our power and when we use our power, we use energy. When we fly, we use energy, and the faster we fly the more energy we use. It takes time to rebuild the energy we use. The Quag wasted too much of its energy trying to kill me with its flames, so it didn’t have enough left to chase me very far.”

  “How far can you fly?” Zeph asked.

  “Flying as fast as we can, ten miles in seconds. At a moderate speed, perhaps two hundred miles in half a day.”

  Liada frowned. “I know they can see your energy even when you’re invisible to humans. But can it tell the difference between a Firebird and a Sprite, or Seadragon and a Firebird?”

  “No. It is just a trail of energ
y.”

  “What about using your powers?” Liada sat up straight as she began to get an idea.

  “Each of us could create one large event: a Sprite, hundreds of lighting bolts; a Seadragon, a storm miles long with tornado-like winds; and a Firebird, a blast of fire which would scorch miles. But we would have exhausted all of our energy.”

  “If the Quag had done that at the market, it would have destroyed the whole market.”

  “Yes, that is true. It would also have been as vulnerable as a baby.”

  “How long does it take to recover?” Liada didn’t much like the idea that was working in her mind.

  “If we expended all of our energy it would take at least a full day or more. Half our energy, half a day.”

  Liada sat quiet, having run out of questions. Several minutes later, she heard the sing-song speech of the First Ones, which sounded like a strange sort of exotic music.

  “You and we know how to free Brom,” Kaim said with his snout next to her ear.

  “I don’t know what you mean,” she said.

  Kaim whispered so that even Zeph couldn’t hear. “If we lead the Quag away, flying as fast as we can until it’s exhausted, then Emmund can rescue the spy.”

  “No!” Liada yelled. Zeph sat up in his seat.

  “What’s wrong, Liada?” Zeph looked around the coach and then out the window. By that time, Emmund had stopped the coach and jumped down.

  “What happened?” Emmund asked, looking in the coach’s open window in the door.

  Liada sat, arms crossed. She wasn’t going to risk telling either of them what Kaim had said. They would probably agree, and she wasn’t about to take the chance.

  Emmund looked at Zeph. “What happened?”

  “I don’t know. She was talking to her friends when she suddenly yelled.”

  They both stared at her.

  She shook her head hard. “No. No. I won’t do it.”

  “You would put one of our lives against the lives of all the First Ones?” Aliy asked.

  Zeph and Emmund stood there giving her confused looks.