by Henry Vogel
Martin and I went back to our positions against the other wall, our chains balled up around one fist. Then we had nothing else to do but wait for the guards to return.
Scouts spend a lot of time traveling through space alone. A lot of our training centered around staving off boredom and remaining alert during long periods of inactivity. I’d never been very good at it and was even worse in the current situation. I was relieved beyond imagining when I finally heard the echo of approaching footsteps. A moment later, dim light shone along the bottom of the door. Metal scraped on metal as a key was inserted into the lock. We heard a click as the key turned.
Seven men—more than I was expecting—stepped into the room. One balanced three bowls on a tray. The other six held swords. In the dim light, I gave a nod to Martin.
Boost!
Chapter 19
Callan
Our pursuers’ ships spun around each other, each entangled in the other ship’s rigging. Men who hungrily eyed our airship mere seconds ago reeled and tumbled across their decks. Some rolled over the railing, plunging to their death far below. Nearby ships climbed, dove, and turned to avoid being caught in the wreck. Those sudden maneuvers made ships farther from the gyrating wreck dodge and dive.
Like the ripple from a pebble dropped in a pool, chaos spread throughout the skies above the dock. Airships from the city watch, conspicuous by their absence a moment ago, finally put in an appearance, steaming into the maelstrom to investigate the situation. For the first time ever, the Beloren city watch proved helpful to me. Refusing to yield their path to other ships, the watch airships added to the confusion and further helped cover our escape.
“Nist, that was the most fun ever!” Milo wore the widest grin I’d seen on his face since he’d kissed his first young lady–in–waiting at the palace. “Let’s do it again!”
“I most strenuously insist we not do that again! Once was quite enough, young man,” Tristan said. “I’m sure that little stunt shaved weeks off my remaining life!”
“Her High– The lady did ask for a daring escape plan,” Nist said, “not a staid old man escape plan!”
“Never let it be said you don’t give a girl what she asks for!” I said. “I’ll have to warn Kim about that when we get back home.”
Even that mild jest caused scarlet blooms on Nist’s cheeks. Daring pilot? Definitely yes. Clueless lover? Emphatically yes. Coaxing first moves out of Nist would require the help of an expert. I’d better talk to Mom when we got back. With her advising Kim, Nist would never know what hit him!
As we flew over what was left of the Beloren southern city wall, Nist asked, “What course should I set, ma'am?”
“Nist, please stop calling me ma'am,” I said. “You’re making me feel old. I’m younger than you are!”
“I will try...Callan,” Nist said.
“That’s better. As for a course…” I turned to Tristan. “Tristan, how far is it to the nearest desert tribe camp?”
“The tribes are nomadic people, lass. They rarely stay in place for more than a few months.” Tristan shrugged. “I know of four tribes who usually stay within a few hours flight of Beloren. They all leave signs so other tribes can find them. You just have to know what to look for.”
“Please tell me you know the signs,” I implored.
“Oh, aye. I’m not called the Desert Doctor for nothing, my dear,” Tristan said. “Are you planning to hide out with a tribe for a day or two?”
“No,” I said, “I’m going to ask them for directions.”
“It’s a desert, Callan,” Nist said. “What are you going to ask directions to?”
With more confidence than I felt, I said, “The nearest trog settlement!”
Chapter 20
David
My implant flooded my system with adrenaline. The guards seemed to slow, their actions and reactions telegraphed far in advance. Our speed disrupted what little group cohesion the guards had, leaving them attacking empty air or even each other.
Only Martin moved at what was, to me, normal speed. We had no need to communicate or coordinate our actions. For decades, Scout Academy training covered tandem fighting under Boost. No cadet graduated without first mastering this skill. As long as each scout knew his role, coordination was assured.
It was my mission. It was my plan. It was my lead.
Surging past the man bringing our food, I grabbed his collar and flung him backward and into the guards gathered just inside the door. My chain–wrapped fist caught the closest guard with an uppercut, lifting him off his feet and loosening his grip on his sword. I snatched the loose sword in midair and used it to block an attack from another guard. I ducked a thrust from a third guard and then ran him through. Then the second guard was back. I batted his wild swing aside, catching the blade with the chain, then slashed him with the sword. Blood spurted from his shoulder as I cut it to the bone. His sword clattered to the floor and I smashed him on the head with my chain–wrapped fist.
As the second guard collapsed in a bloody heap, the first guard grabbed his fallen sword. Diving across the floor, he lunged for my legs. I skipped over the attack then stepped on the blade, pinning it to floor. As the guard tried to roll away, I kicked him in the head. He sprawled limp on the floor, down for the count.
I checked on Martin. He drew his sword from the belly of the last guard standing and the man sagged to the floor. In the sudden silence, I heard the receding footsteps of the man who’d carried the food tray.
We dropped Boost.
“Should we chase after the runner?” Martin asked.
“No. Better King Rat hears of the fight from an eye witness. The tale the servant babbles to the rat king will be incoherent and, most likely, exaggerated. King Rat won’t believe half of it, but his people will.”
I grabbed a ring of keys from one of the guards and removed the manacles from Martin’s wrist and mine. Kneeling next to Raoul, I freed him as well.
“Get up, Spare Prince. It’s time to get out of here.”
“Let me grab a sword–” Raoul began.
“No!” I said. “No sword until you prove we can trust you.”
Grabbing the guards’ lantern, I led our little band into the darkness!
Chapter 21
Callan
A moment of silence followed my announcement.
“Lass…” Tristan stretched the word out, as if searching for the best way to approach a delicate subject. “Why do you want to find a trog settlement? Except for attacks of retribution, I’ve never heard of humans searching for trog settlements.”
“After our narrow escape from Beloren, I believe it’s safe to say Martin’s plan to buy David back didn’t work.”
Tristan nodded in agreement.
“We had no expectations it would, but we did expect Martin to come back to us. So we must assume Martin is also King Rat’s prisoner, perhaps even sharing a cell with David.”
“I suspect you’re right on all accounts, my dear.” Tristan spoke slowly, as if trying to calm down an emotional woman. Did he think I was about to get hysterical? “But that doesn’t explain why you want to find trogs?”
“I doubt King Rat has a cell that can hold David against his will. That goes double if Martin is with him. But you know how David behaves when he’s being noble. He won’t even consider an escape from King Rat if he believes it will lead to the very war he stopped by surrendering to the envoy.” I watched dawning comprehension in Tristan’s eyes. “If I want to see my husband again, I need to go into those tunnels and fetch him. If I want to survive that trip, I’ll need warriors.”
“I see your point, Callan, but I don’t believe you’ve thought this through.” Tristan was still speaking slowly and it was getting on my nerves. “We have a Mordanian naval squadron only a few miles from here, one tasked by your mother to protect and aid you. Surely Mordanian marines would be a better choice than a bunch of trogs!”
“My oh my, Tristan, why ever did I not think of that?” Tr
istan’s eyebrows shot up at my tone. I guess he wasn’t used to being on the receiving end of such deep sarcasm. “Yes, those marines would be just perfect for the job!”
I got into Tristan’s face, channeling Rob when he dressed down a young guardsman. “If the job was to start a war with Beloren and her allied city–states! Something David went to extreme measures to avoid.”
“Well... Yes. Um, I see your point!” Tristan fell back a step.
“Good. I’m not some love–crazed young woman risking everything just to save her man!” I turned to Nist. “Swing around the city and fly past the squadron. Get close enough for them to identify us but not so close that they can hail us. Discreetly raise my flag during the fly–by so they’ll know I’m on board. I expect they’ll follow us.”
I looked at Tristan. “If there are no other objections...?”
“No! None here, lass. None at all.”
I flashed my best good–girl smile. “I didn’t think so. Now, let’s go find those trogs!”
Chapter 22
David
The light from the guards’ lantern provided weak illumination as we forged into the dark tunnels of King Rat’s domain. My implant recorded every twist and turn we took, expanding the map I began recording when the tunnel rats led me to the dungeon. Martin’s implant recorded our progress, as well. We had to learn these tunnels so well we could navigate them in pitch darkness or if one of us was out on his own.
The beginnings of a plan took shape in my mind, but for it to succeed we had to know the tunnels better than the tunnel rats knew them. It was an impossible task made entirely possible by our implants. King Rat counted the maze of dark tunnels as his first line of defense. We would make it the front line of our offense.
For hours, we skirted the edges of tunnel rat territory. As the lantern oil burned down, we replenished our supply from wall lanterns just within the sections used by the tunnel rats. A picture of King Rat’s underground empire emerged from our explorations. I expected to find squalor and filth, a sad existence for a pathetic band of ragged beggars and thieves, forced to eat rats and drink dirty water in order to survive. With the exception of an elite few, I expected disease–ridden savages barely scraping by under their king’s iron rule.
Reality dashed my fantasy into little bits and then stomped all over the bits. We found a large and well organized food supply, complete with barrels of fresh water and freshly slaughtered meat. Tempting aromas wafted from a huge, bustling kitchen just down the tunnel from the food store. Just past the kitchen we found a vast communal dining area. We stole through the empty dining room to scout what lay beyond it. Room after room was furnished for sleeping, with separate quarters for women and men, as well as quarters for families.
The slave quarters were poorly furnished in comparison, but they far exceeded what I had expected to find. We even found a nursery where children stayed while their parents were out and about, doing King Rat’s bidding. The children were the real surprise. Innocent childish laughter clashed with my original image of tunnel life. In retrospect, I realize I should not have been surprised. All human cultures reproduce, even the tunnel rats.
We retreated into unused tunnels, our map of King Rat’s territory greatly expanded after the hours we spent exploring. The three of us retraced our path to an intersection of tunnels well outside of the populated areas. Torch and lantern light, which we would spot long before anyone came close to us, would offer ample warning if anyone came looking for us. The intersection also provided several lines of retreat, if King Rat sent a large force.
“There are a lot more people down here than I expected,” Martin said. “How many do you think are down here?”
A voice whined from the darkness. “Why haven’t you gotten me out of these tunnels?”
“Shut up, Raoul,” Martin and I said in unison.
“I’d guess there are close to a thousand people, counting children and slaves.” A thought occurred to me. “From the size of their quarters, there must be a lot of slaves. Do you think we can count on their support?”
“Maybe a few will support us. As for the rest, it depends on how long they’ve been down here. Raoul’s only been here a couple of months and look at him. I expect most of the slaves have given up hope. When you get around to expanding your scheme into a plan, don’t count on support from the slaves.”
“You’ll be happy to learn my plan doesn’t involve the slaves.”
“You have an actual plan?” Martin asked. “It’s not David’s Scheme Mark II?”
“It’s an actual plan. I came up with it while we were exploring,” I said. “I’d even go as far as to say it’s tailor–made for you.”
“Uh huh. Tell me the plan and then I’ll let you know if I agree with your assessment.”
I grinned. “We’re going to be raiders!”
Chapter 23
David
Martin approved of my plan. Raoul, on the other hand, did not.
“As a prince of Tarteg, I will not sully my reputation by hoisting the raider flag!”
“Yes, perish the thought, Spare Prince!” Martin’s tone dripped sarcasm. “Kidnapping princesses so a prince as pathetic as you can be reborn as a hero is just fine and dandy, though.”
“You’re forgetting a rather important part of that plan, raider Captain Bane. You are the one who kidnapped the princess!” This was more like the Raoul I knew and loathed so well. “I knew nothing of that plan until after the deed was done.”
“Yet you went along with the plan when you did learn of it, Raoul. A simple word from you and I’d have released the princess.”
“And you could have released the princess at any time, with or without word from me!”
“Both of you, shut up!”
“But Bane–”
“Shut. Up.”
Raoul locked eyes with me and, in the lantern light, his eyes glowed red. Without another word, he jumped to his feet and charged down the tunnel and into the darkness. Martin and I watched him vanish from sight.
“Shouldn’t we go after him, David?”
“Nah. Raoul has no idea where he’s going. On the other hand, I know this tunnel turns right about a hundred feet from here.” I listened to Raoul’s fading footsteps. “He should hit the wall right about…now!”
We heard a thud followed by the sound of a body hitting the floor.
“Okay, now we can go after him, Martin.”
We rose and ambled down the tunnel.
“Does this mean I can finally slit the little jerk’s throat?”
“I’m tempted to let you, Martin, but Callan would never approve.”
“I just knew you were going to use Callan as a means of depriving me of my fun. Okay, if we’re not going to rid the world of Raoul, what are we going to do with him?”
“Something worse than killing him, my friend. We’re going to lock him back in the cell.”
Raoul regained consciousness as I snapped the chain about his wrist. He screamed and cursed and pleaded and even cried like a baby. Martin and I smiled and waved as we locked the door.
Lighter of heart than we’d felt since ending up in the cell with Raoul, Martin and I planned our first strike.
Along with the implant–aided mental maps of the tunnels, we discovered King Rat kept the rat kingdom on a tight schedule. He had the place running like clockwork, and that made planning our raids all the easier.
We stuck with simple military tactics and raided the kitchen first. It doesn’t matter how much people love or fear their leader, any leader who fails to feed his people is in for some serious control problems.
The kitchen staff appeared to have one job, watching the kitchen slaves and beating them if they didn’t work hard enough to suit their masters. Martin and I waited until the kitchen staff arrived to start preparing breakfast then made our move.
“Get lost.” The kitchen foreman’s arm slashed the air, negating the request he expected to hear. “No food until morning.”
>
I kept walking toward him. With a snarl, the foreman raised the wooden staff he used to beat the slaves and swung it at me. I stepped inside the swing, caught the foreman’s wrist and twisted. He cried out in pain as bones snapped. I took the staff from the foreman’s unresisting hand and broke it over his head. The foreman collapsed, moaning.
The kitchen staff and the slaves stared at Martin and me, too shocked to react. The shock wore off faster than I’d have hoped.
“Slaves, get them!”
With a smack, one of the staff hit a slave on the backside and the slaves shuffled toward us.
Boost!
Adrenaline poured into our veins. Time slowed for Martin and me. We brushed aside the half–hearted slave attacks, gently pushing them into a confused jumble. The kitchen staff backpedaled as we waded in among them. Each of them got the same treatment as the foreman. Seconds later, we dropped Boost.
The slaves retreated into a corner when I turned to face them.
“We’re here to free you, not hurt you. Will you come with us?”
The slaves exchanged glances and a few shrugs before one spoke.
“We have little choice. They will kill us if we stay.”
“Then gather as much cooked food and fresh water as you can carry. You are slaves no longer!”
As the former slaves gathered supplies, Martin and I locked the staff in a cellar. Our next stop was the food store. We put the remaining food to the torch and then led our well–supplied band into the darkness.
We had struck our first blow against King Rat!
Chapter 24
Callan
Nist swung wide of Beloren, just as we’d done months before when the city was aflame. The afternoon sun shone from behind the squadron as we sped past it. Milo hoisted my flag at the closest point of our fly–by. With the early afternoon sunlight streaming in from behind the Mordanian ships, the glare kept us from watching for activity on those decks. Instead, I watched the green and gold colors of my country snapping in the breeze.
