The man on the corner pulled his cloak up tighter about himself. His glasses shimmered. He started walking. He headed for the edge of town. Deckard followed him, swiftly and quietly.
Saben
The plan went into motion early in the morning. While Deel lured the immortal, Saben and the others started toward the palace. Only Rina waited behind on the leaky ship. Saben, Folt, Uigara, and Heen followed the road and the bridges through the city toward the citadel. Naturally, they would have difficulty getting to the citadel if it weren't for the disguises Folt prepared for them. Evening closed in and the sky grew darker. Folt readied to lead the attack. Saben prepared himself to free Jaswei.
He hoped she would be all right when he found her.
The people of Tancuon could be brutal, but foreigners in any land were usually treated poorly when they broke local law. Saben mused, nervous, that perhaps most foreigners did not know the laws, and thus more often broke break them.
Theft and battling guards were crimes everywhere. He was glad the immortal captured Jaswe instead of the guards. He guessed Deckard Hadrian carried a sort of honor with him. He might play the monster but he also talked like a human. Perhaps Saben gave him too much credit. An immortal can likely be as brutal as any human.
Demons, immortals, and all beings that dwelt under the sky were subject to time, even if they did not feel its ravages.
Deckard Hadrian, I don't relish going against you again. Hopefully, Deel will fare better than I did.
They approached the citadel. Turning down an alleyway, the group put on the masks Folt prepared for the day. Each contained a single sprite that would shift others’ perception of the wearer. The masks would make them appear as pigs, the local boars. Each portrayed a different pig. Folt handed a black and pink mask to Ben. He handed another to each of Uigara and Heen.
“These will make you look like animals. We are going into the palace through the kitchen.”
Uigara wrinkled her nose.
“I hate your plan.”
Folt shrugged.
“You three are pigs. I’ll be the butcher.”
“Convenient,” Uigara muttered.
“No one is going to butcher you tonight if we play our cards properly.”
Uigara looked at her mask apprehensively.
Heen put on his mask. He changed at once. Despite being a young man, little more than a boy, he quickly shrank and extended his body into the formed of a large pig. He wasn't quite an adult boar, not a wild giant, like the ones Saben was familiar with in the east. Saben’s village consisted of shepherds. The pig, despite Heen’s form human nature looked all too natural despite being a human in disguise. The way the pig snuffled and the odd snorts he made gave Saben an affection for the animal, even knowing it was an illusion.
Saben put on his mask.
His point of view shrank as he sank into his four-legged body. Uigara hesitated a moment longer before she put on her mask and transformed into a pig as well. Folt put on his mask, taking the form of a large round-faced butcher. He carried a real cleaver on his belt, but besides that, all of their gear transformed as well. They maintained mass, making Saben the largest and pig. He wondered if Folt would become an even larger and fiercer looking creature.
They waited in the alleyway until Folt nodded to them. He did not bother herding them but led the way into the street and then toward the palace. They were allowed through the citadel gates, then up the sloping streets until they reached the palace gates. More guards let them inside. They moved toward the kitchen and butchery. Gentle servant never touched the animals so the butcher they hired would be the only one present within. The chefs and cooks would not see them until it was too late.
Melissa
Melissa and the rest the mage guard ate dinner with the governor and the visiting knights for the second time. Elaine made herself scarce before the tables were set. As night fell, she had told Melissa not to worry but to cover for her if her father asked. She was going somewhere and she didn't want to bother the others. Melissa understood a need to keep secrets. She promised her friend she would hide what she knew about Elaine’s evening from the others.
She sat at the table with the rest of the governor’s hand, directly across from the high table where Governor Lokoth sat with Lady Nasibron at her side. Suya left sat at the governor's left. She wore both swords over her chair, though both looked far smaller than the one that Ariel kept on Lady Nasibron’s other side.
Two sword servants ate as thoroughly, and with more relish than most warriors Melissa had met. Suya, in particular, seemed focused on her food with a kind of intensity Melissa usually associated with gluttonous merchants.
The sword servant ate separately from the rest of the hand, as a matter of decorum. Melissa liked Suya partially for her proper attitude.
The nature of sword servants went back some ages. Melissa understood that the role had been codified after the conquest of Tancuon when men and women equally shared the rights of noble blood.
Once they took land and the Dire families were established, the nature of sword servants became a necessity for those nobles who became infirm or did not learn to fight their ancestral weapons. A sword servant carried the master’s sword was more than a bodyguard, but also a representative of the family and heritage they served.
Melissa turned to Niu. The former city guard only picked at her food.
“Something wrong?” Melissa asked.
“Where is your friend?” Niu said.
“Elaine?”
Niu nodded.
“I haven't seen her since yesterday,” said Tal. “Poking his head over from the table next door.”
Kelta Crayta shrugged.
“She's a fine tutor and a fine young woman too.”
Melissa wrinkled her nose.
“Kelt, I think you’re too old and not rich enough for Elaine.”
“A man can wonder,” said Kelt.
“You mean a man can dream.” Ni snorted.
Kelt frowned.
“I am a member of the governor's hand. My status has risen quite a bit of late.”
“A little,” said Niu, “We’re still commoners compared to her.”
“We don’t use that word much in Tancuon,” said Kelt.
“I grew up in Besany, still in Lowenrane,” said Niu. “We may have insignificant statuses but we can still be friends with people.”
Kelt grunted. He returned to his plate, saying nothing, and betraying no frustration or anger. Niu’s opinion seemed influenced by Melissa's growing closeness with Elaine. Did Niu care so much, given the friendship between the two of them was still new?
Melissa wanted to know more about all her fellow members of the hand.
“I’ve heard you’re a veteran, Kelt,” she said. “Where did you fight?”
“I was in a skirmish on the sea. For a time I was well renowned for my actions in the fray.”
“Sorry for being snide,” said Niu.
“It's nothing,” he said. “I understand my aspirations are lofty.”
“Don't get ahead of yourself, that's the key.” Niu smiled.
“The key,” said Hilos, “is to always be there to open the door.”
Melissa laughed.
“Of course you say that, Hilos. After all, you are good with doors.”
“I try,” said Hilos.” Thank you, Melissa.”
As the night grew later and Elaine did not materialize, Melissa began to wonder where her friend had gone. The young witch left the palace two hours before the feast. Melissa hoped she was all right as the sun began to set.
They finished the appetizers and waited for the large roasts of pork, the main course. Melissa glanced at the gentle servants talking with each other by the doors. A cook emerged from the kitchen. He wore an expression of confusion and started talking to the others, waving his hands.
“Something wrong?” asked Niu, looking at Melissa.
“Something in the kitchen,” said Melissa.
&nb
sp; None at the high table seemed to notice the servants’ commotion. Kelt looked at the cook, frowning.
“Don't worry,” said Melissa, “I'm sure they'll bring plenty of food.”
She glanced at the nearby table where the mage guard sat. Niu’s brother, Tal, looked around anxiously. He must be starving after a day of training. The servants and the cook approached the high table surreptitiously, circling at the side of the room. They passed the table where the Hand of the Governor sat. The four of them overheard the three men as they moved by.
“Three pigs and one of the butchers just up and vanished,”
“It’s enough to be significant. Did you see the size of the greatest pig?
“I did,” said a gentle servant. “Enormous, larger than any man.”
“A pig bigger than human?” Niu whispered.
Melissa wrinkled her nose.
“A giant pig, indeed.”
“Melissa,” said Kelt, “Something feels wrong.”
“You can say that again,” said Melissa. “How could animals just vanish without the butcher being involved.”
“The butcher.” Niu’s voice sounded dry.
Hilos rose from his seat.
“Excuse me,” he said, “I’ll use my status as the gentle servant to learn more.”
He followed the two gentle servants and the cook to the high table where they were speaking softly to the governor. Melissa and the others exchanged glances. Tal leaned toward them from the next table over.
“I wonder what they're going to do if there isn't enough pork for everyone?”
“Don't worry,” Niu said, “Apparently there is a giant pig somewhere in the palace.”
“What do you mean by somewhere?” asked Tal.
“We don't know for sure where it is,” said Niu.
Tal grunted and turned to his table where he sat with half the mage guard.
Around fifty people in the room and every one of them was well-trained in magic mage except the gentle servants and the governor. Even the knights could wield the sprites in her muscles.
Lord Tanlos, at the high table, looked around, searching for someone. Of course, Melissa thought. He wants to know where Elaine went.
She took a deep breath and hoped for a blessing.
Elaine
She made her way to the docks under silver moonlight. She had taken the late afternoon to get food for herself and spent a little more to change into the clothes she bought at one of the shops near the citadel. The fine silk she typically wore had felt too weighty for her walk to the docks. The new dress proved a little less burdensome.
The skirt hugged her. The new boots she bought for the hike through town suggested they would be better when broken in. She waited by the dock as the moon rose.
Only when the sky grew darker did she begin to wonder if she had been lured out by some sort of trickster. Lakses, the man in the moon mask, could be manipulating her. However honest he seemed, his charisma made it impossible to tell his true intentions.
She watched the waves roll across the bay of Charin. The moon turned pale, glowing wide and circular. She glanced toward shore from the dock where she stood. The glimmering sliver of a crescent-shape appeared at the end of the creaking wooden walkway.
Lakses marched from where the pavement ended and crossed the dirt toward the wooden pier. He wore the same heavy mantle as before and moved with the same stocky power and magnetic attraction. His lack of one thing made her suspicious. His sprites no longer orbited his head. He’s stored both essence particles within his dissonant bulk. Yet, the song within him remained the same. The sound almost disquieted Elaine.
He marched along the pier, then waved to her as he drew closer.
“Good evening.”
Elaine curtsied to him.
“Evening.”
Lakses smiled.
“I hope you're well.”
“I'm worried,” Elaine said. “It’s already late.”
“Isn't late what we want?”
“We?”
“We,” said Lakses, “as two lovers.”
“We just met. We aren’t lovers.”
“We could be?”
“Lakses, I just met you.”
“I just met you, as well, yet I feel connected.”
“I know,” she said.
“Do you?”
“I think I do.” She looked into his silver eyes and their crescent-like centers.
“What are you?”
“I'm a man, the same as any other.”
“That’s not true.”
“Not quite,” said Lakses. “Most men aren’t as kinds or as gentle.”
“Gentle?”
“Indeed. I have experiences they don't.”
Elaine’s nervous expression melted into a smile.
“Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. You are new to me, but I feel as though I know you.”
“That’s true on one level.”
Lakses bent close to her and shifted the moon mask on his face. His lips pressed against hers. Warmth grew.
He touched her back and tugged the hem of her skirt. She reached for his arm and caught his wrist. His weight pressed against her. His great size felt so natural he seemed almost elegant despite his stockiness and bulk.
They broke apart.
“Lakses.”
“What is it, Elaine?” he asked gently.
“Is this why you asked me to come here?”
“Yes,” he said, “If you’re comfortable here.”
“You are kind,” said Elaine. “We’re alone out here.”
“We are.”
She wrapped her arms about him, sliding a hand under his mantle. His body was warm to the touch, and his skin, where she could feel it was smooth, almost metallic. However, everything was firm. He’s a man, not some apparition come to steal me away.
Lakses wrapped an arm around her waist. He guided her along the dock and toward shore.
“Where are we going?”
“Back to land,” he said. “In the morning, things may look different but I don't want to do anything you don't.”
“I'm not comfortable now,” she said, flushing. “I've never been with a man.”
“And I've never felt as I do now about a woman, though I'm sorry to say I’m more experienced than you in certain ways.”
She pressed yourself to his side.
“It's all right,” she said, “in the lands of mercy many things can be forgiven.”
He chuckled.
She looked up at his face and hi mask as he replaced it to cover a third of his features. There was nothing odd about what lay beneath the mask, but something special about the way he wore it. The look on his face told her she didn't need to ask for anything from him, surely. He had been waiting to find her in that shop. What could it all mean?
“I don't know you are,” she said.
“I’m a traveler, a mage, a scholar without a school, and a man without a home.”
Elaine frowned.
“I can't you tonight.”
“Very well,” he said. “I'm looking for the right one and I can be patient, my dear.”
Elaine nodded. Her fears remain, but her suspicions, though aroused were not as clear as before. She gripped his arm tight as they returned to the city.
Deckard
The man with the glasses led Deckard out of the city, then through the western hills and into a village, not far from Soucot.
Deckard kept his distance for a long while as the sun rose and then began to set again. The man with the glasses must sense he was being followed. He never stopped long anywhere outside the city but continued his steady pace westward. Along the riverside, the man walked as tirelessly as Deckard himself.
A mage could sustain himself on his sprites magic for some time if trained for such a task, but none could last forever. Perhaps I’d be better served in taking him to Soucot by force rather than simply waiting to for him to tire. Patience, Deckard thought. No reason to ru
sh the chase. The man may have a plan, but Deckard’s experience told him an ambush was unlikely. The possibility still existed that the man didn’t yet realize he was being hunted.
Deckard flew in silence, as light as air, though he did cast a shadow as evidence of his presence. The few times he went ahead of the man he made sure to circle through the clouds. Within a cold and the damp embrace, the mist concealed his form completely.
Should the man ever watch the sky, Deckard thought, he’ll see nothing.
Deckard couldn’t suppress his sprites while gliding but he suspected no one could hear him at his altitude. The man passed through the village, keeping on the road. Deckard doubted the man with the glasses knew his dilemma.
If the man suspected he was being followed, Deckard doubted he’d guess his pursuer was so close. Could he have prepared for me, specifically?
The man joined a group of travelers in wagons heading west, slowing his relentless trot to their pace. Deckard spotted a wagon and several animals among the merchant household moving their wares. Such a family journey made for a common sight in the lands of mercy.
They would reach the next city, Besany, in another day. Besany was large enough that it could swallow up the family of merchants and the man with the glasses swifter than any roadway could take them.
The way the man with the glasses kept his essence suppressed would allow him to hide his presence completely in a thickly inhabited place. Deckard wondered if Baor’s confession had been a trick to mislead him.
The man, clearly up to something, might have nothing to do with the security of Soucot, or the governor or anyone else in the city. His quest might be a private, secretive, affair.
Deckard decided upon a plan to determine the truth as he descended from the clouds. He left the clouds to land in the open.
He touched the roadway in front of the wagon. The horses stopped abruptly. One kicked the air in surprise.
Deckard bowed low to the driver of the lead vehicle. He raised his eyes.
“I am Deckard Hadrian, the demon hunter. I have questions for you.”
“H-Hadrian?” the driver stammered.
Demon Scroll Page 20
