by Gavin Zanker
‘The Mayor just put out a warrant for your Seeker,’ Samuel said. ‘One thousand tokens for bringing him to the town hall alive.’
Travis frowned. ‘That’s a lot of money for one man. What does Reinhold want with an ex-mercenary that fell off the map years ago?’
‘No idea, but he’s a wanted man now. While you know how little stock I put in Reinhold’s laws, people will have seen you bringing him back to the compound.’
‘So he can’t stay here,’ Travis said, finishing Samuel’s thought.
‘Exactly. It won’t be long before the Mayor gets word of his location. The last thing we need is police sniffing around the compound. Not now when we’re this close.’
Travis chewed his lip and nodded. ‘It should be easy enough to take care of. We can dump him in the city, or just drop him off at the town hall ourselves.’
They came to a stop outside one of the featureless doors that lined the corridor. ‘I was just heading in to see Sasha,’ Travis said, putting his hand on the door handle. ‘She doesn’t have many playmates these days. I’m sure she would appreciate a visit from you.’
Samuel’s gaze flicked to the door, then back to Travis. ‘This needs dealing with now,’ he said, ignoring the comment. ‘Has he started readjustment already?’
Travis nodded. ‘I imagine the drugs should be wearing off soon though. But regardless, we can just say we picked him up drunk.’
‘Fine. I’ll leave it in your hands then. Good night, Travis.’
Samuel stalked away down the corridor, leaving Travis stood alone.
‘Sam,’ Travis called after him. ‘When are we going to talk about Emily? I’m losing her in there.’
‘You already know my answer,’ Samuel said without breaking stride. ‘It won’t be much longer now.’
Travis cursed under his breath as he watched Samuel disappear around a corner. He couldn’t stand to watch his wife waste away in readjustment. At first he had resisted Samuel’s reasoning, but after a while it started to make sense. It was the safest place for her after all. But over time, he had watched the woman he loved slowly fade away. He couldn’t bear it any longer. He just wanted his wife back.
He sighed and rubbed his forehead, unable to remember the last time he had slept. The headaches were back again lately, and he struggled to focus. He turned away from Sasha’s door and set off towards the readjustment wing to deal with Aiden.
CHAPTER 16
LEIGH HAD BEEN woken by Hitch nuzzling her hand. Peering out from her spot behind the rubble, she saw Aiden being marched out of the compound gate by two angry-looking men carrying guns. Jumping up and grabbing Aiden’s pack, she and Hitch trailed them through the dark city, eventually arriving at the town hall in Oldtown where he had been handed over to the uniformed police officers at the entrance. A few hours had passed since, and there was no sign he would be coming out any time soon.
Leigh slumped against the wall of one of the alleys around the market. The place reeked of sewage, though Hitch seemed happy enough exploring the foul smells and sticky patches. ‘Why aren’t you more bothered, huh?’ Leigh said accusingly. ‘He’s your friend too, isn’t he?’
Someone exited a nearby shop, and Leigh caught a snippet of a broadcast playing on the radio from inside before the door closed. Sidling across, Leigh cracked the door and propped it open with her foot so she could listen.
‘… a wanted notice this morning. A fugitive by the name of Aiden Fielding is suspected to be at large inside the city. The city authorities are offering one thousand tokens to anyone that brings the suspect to the town hall unharmed. If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, please report it to your nearest police officer.’
‘Hey, you’re letting the cold in,’ a voice shouted from inside the shop causing Leigh to jump. ‘Close the damn door!’
She stepped back and let the door shut. As she turned away, she bounced off someone solid coming the other way. ‘Sorry,’ she muttered, ‘I didn’t…’ Her voice trailed off as a narrow-eyed police officer glared down at her. ‘Look where you’re going, gutter rat. You’ll get your stink all over my uniform.’
‘S-sorry,’ Leigh said, taking a step back. ‘I didn’t see you.’
Before the officer could respond, a man in ragged clothing stumbled in to the alley. He propped himself up against the wall with an elbow to keep himself upright, swayed a little, then proceeded to vomit. The officer tutted and headed over to the drunk, pulling out a nightstick.
With the officer distracted, Leigh called Hitch and they darted out of the alleyway and across the market square. ‘Come on, boy,’ she said, her heart pounding with renewed energy. ‘I think I know someone that can help us.’
THE DINING ROOM in the town hall was the most ostentatious place Aiden had seen since the government buildings of Old Theia had turned to rubble after the rioting following the Event. Everything from the huge multi-paned windows to the ubiquitous dark wood panelling screamed wealth.
Sat at the head of the dining table was the obese figure of David Reinhold, the Mayor of the Rim. Aiden had never met the man before, but had caught glimpses of him during public appearances. Amazingly, he was even bulkier up close. Aiden sat halfway along the table, transfixed by the wobbling of the man’s chin as he spoke.
‘So, a fugitive in my city, hmm?’ the Mayor said as he slurped the soup from his spoon. ‘You should consider yourself lucky, I don’t make a habit of dining with criminals. Isn’t that right, Captain?’
The police Captain, Reese Ellington, nodded from where he stood leaning against the wall nearby. Aiden could feel the Captain’s eyes boring into the back of his head, and turning back, he smiled to see a scowl on the man’s skeletal face.
‘So why am I here?’ Aiden asked, swirling the ornate spoon around the bowl of soup in front of him. It tasted rich, not watered down like the slop they sold out in the street. ‘And what’s so important that you manage to scare the Dawnists into handing me over?’
‘My boy, I am the Mayor of this city. The Dawnists may be dug into their little compound like tics on an ox, but I’m the one who commands the animal. Nothing happens here without my say so.’ The Mayor slurped his soup again, an obnoxious sound that Aiden found revolting. ‘As for why you’re here? For the present let’s just say I like anyone that can rub those self-righteous fanatics the wrong way.’
Aiden doubted that was all there was to it, but for now he was just relieved to be out of readjustment. ‘You said criminal,’ he said, chewing a piece of bread thoughtfully, ‘I seem to be getting that a lot lately. What is it I’m supposed to have done?’
‘The good Captain here received a message from an associate. A friend of yours I believe. Karen Blanc?’ The Mayor paused eating to study Aiden’s reaction to the name. ‘It turns out that someone attacked her and fled south, ending up here in my city.’ The Mayor raised an eyebrow as he gulped more wine. ‘Someone named Aiden, who happens to fit your description perfectly. There was mention of a dog and a young girl, but fortunately I see neither.’
‘Blanc is far from my friend. And she’s lying. I suggest the Captain finds himself some more reliable associates.’
The Captain stepped forward and growled, ‘Watch your tone, convict.’
‘I don’t believe I’m a convict anymore,’ Aiden said, turning in his chair and smiling broadly, recalling the time he rammed the police Captain's face into a car. ‘How’s the nose these days, Ellington? Still looks a bit wonky.’
‘All right, all right,’ the Mayor said, reaching for his wine glass and waving the Captain back. ‘I know you two have a history, but I won’t have any violence in my dining room. Captain, please return to your post. And Aiden? Refrain from antagonising him or you’ll find yourself in much less comfortable surroundings.’
The Captain stepped back and folded his arms but continued to glare angrily. Aiden flashed him another amused smile before turning back to the table.
‘The fact remains that you are a wanted
man, Aiden,’ the Mayor said, ‘and as Mayor I must uphold the law in my city or it will descend into a haven for thieves and criminals. So I have already sent word, and Blanc will be arriving to pick you up in a few days.’
Aiden swallowed some more soup. ‘Why would you help the Crimson Wolves?’
‘While I have no love for Blanc and her Crimson Wolves, they are necessary business partners. They control a huge supply of coal from the mines in the north. How do you think we run the generators to keep the city powered?’ The Mayor swirled the wine around in his glass. ‘Tell me, what did you do to get on the wrong side of the Dawnists? The Captain mentioned you’ve worked for them before.’
‘A long time ago,’ Aiden said, scratching his chin. ‘It’s all history though.’
‘Come now, don’t be shy. I’m curious.’
Aiden looked across the table at the round-faced man now tossing berries into his mouth from a heaped bowl. The way he ate with his jaw hanging, revealing the half-chewed food, was repulsive. Aiden tried to ignore it, instead wondering why he was being pushed for information by this man, and why he was sat here eating with him in the first place.
‘I won’t join your police force with sad sack over there,’ Aiden said, nodding towards Ellington.
The Mayor laughed, fruit falling out of his mouth and splashing into the remains of his soup. ‘I would expect not since I haven’t offered you a position. Besides, I think the Captain here would have something to say on the matter.’
‘Damn straight. I wouldn’t let criminal scum like you wear one of my uniforms.’
‘That’s funny, since half your officers are corrupt criminals themselves.’
The Mayor shook his head and heaved his large bulk out of his seat with a grunt. ‘I’m bored of this. It is a shame, I was hoping this would be a more interesting dinner.’ The Mayor looked at Aiden with disappointment. ‘Oh well. Captain, take him down to the cells. He can wait there until Blanc collects him.’
‘With pleasure, Mayor.’
The Mayor turned and ambled out of the room as Ellington advanced towards Aiden with a menacing grin. ‘Come on, convict,’ he said, spitting the word. ‘Let me show you to your new home downstairs. You should feel right at home behind bars again.’
Handcuffs clicked in to place over Aiden’s wrists and he was pulled up to his feet. He knew there was no point in resisting. Too many guards patrolled the town hall and he would never make it outside before being taken down.
‘I hope there’ll be tea and biscuits,’ Aiden said as he was shoved along a corridor with a plush red carpet. ‘Something to round out the meal, you know?’
Ellington hit Aiden in the back of the head with something hard, causing him to stumble and fall face first onto the carpet.
‘Get up, funny guy,’ Ellington said. Aiden struggled to his feet, his ears filled with a high-pitched ringing. ‘Just like old times this, isn’t it?’ the Captain continued with a sadistic grin. ‘It’s almost a shame I can’t toss you back into the arena again. I quite enjoyed watching you struggle on the blood-covered sands.’
CHAPTER 17
BLANC APPROACHED REINHOLD’S study with her three men trailing behind her. Two police officers moved to block the doorway. She rolled her eyes at them. Driving south had taken most of the day, and with the sun setting already, she was eager to get face to face with Aiden. She glanced past the officers to see Reinhold sat at an oversized desk, absorbed in a discussion with his moronic Captain. She coughed to get his attention.
‘Ah Blanc, welcome,’ Reinhold said, waving his guards to let her pass. ‘I didn’t think I would see you today, I assumed it would take you longer to get here.’
Blanc stepped into the office, her three escorts following closely. ‘The benefits of having your own transport,’ she said, noticing the rich smell of aged leather in the room. The fat politician had expensive tastes.
‘Send these out,’ Reinhold said, passing a handful of envelopes to his Captain who stood beside him. ‘And tell that runner if he loses another letter, I’ll see to it that he starts losing body parts.
‘Ah, and please show our friends with the armbands here to the barracks.’ Reinhold motioned to Blanc’s men. ‘Make sure they are comfortable. I’m sure they are all tired after their journey.’
Blanc’s men looked to her and she nodded her approval. She saw no immediate danger being left alone with the bloated man. The only threat he could pose would be the risk of suffocation if he ever managed to fall on top of her. The Captain strode out of the room, watching Blanc with narrowed eyes as her men followed after him.
‘Quite an escort to bring,’ Reinhold said as the two of them were left alone. ‘Were you expecting trouble?’
‘One can never be too careful these days,’ Blanc said, idly scratching her eye, ‘the roads are dangerous. Especially down here near the city.’
‘So I see,’ Reinhold said, eyeing the bandage on her head. ‘Run into some dangerous types on the way here did you?’
‘Let’s say I have a few reasons for wanting to get reacquainted with Aiden.’
‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,’ Reinhold said, a smile creeping over his chubby face. ‘He must be a brave soul. Well anyway, rest assured you won’t need your guards under my roof.’
‘I’m sure I won’t,’ Blanc said with a nod.
The Mayor beamed. ‘Good, I’m glad you feel comfortable. And if I were to ever visit northern territory, like Kiln Commons, I would be happy to give up my own guard as a show of trust. Of course, it is very difficult to find the time to step away from my position here. Hopefully one day I can see the… rustic charms of Kiln Commons again. It has been far too long.’
‘Of course,’ Blanc said, snorting inwardly at the idea of the pampered man ever leaving the city. He wouldn’t last half a day outside of his fancy estate.
A knock came at the door and a woman with shoulder-length, mousy blonde hair entered holding a paper folder to her chest. She smiled wanly at Blanc as she approached Reinhold.
‘What is it now, Catherine?’ he snapped.
‘Sorry to interrupt,’ the woman said, her tone pained. ‘It’s about these payroll numbers. Some of the officers are complaining about not being paid last month.’
Reinhold looked to Blanc. ‘You see the useless woman I married? Supposedly an accountant, but she can never seem to get two numbers to line up without a big song and dance.’
Blanc watched the back and forth continue, feeling a degree of sympathy for the woman as she was openly berated in front of a stranger. Blanc couldn’t imagine being married to someone like Reinhold. Not without a great deal of bloodshed anyway.
‘Now go,’ Reinhold barked at Catherine. ‘You’re quite capable of sorting this out. Can’t you see I’m entertaining guests?’
As Catherine fell silent and turned to leave the room, averting her gaze, Blanc felt her sympathy turn to derision. Once she had been like Catherine, meek and insignificant, back before she learned what it took to survive in this world. But she had no time for weakness anymore, having cut that luxury out of her life a long time ago.
‘Let’s walk,’ Reinhold said, heaving himself out of his chair and ambling across the room. Blanc followed him through the lavishly furnished corridors as servants scurried back and forth. There was a strong smell of lemons as they walked past bookshelves and over plush carpets.
A few turns later, they emerged into a large sitting room. Matching leather couches and armchairs were arranged in a half circle beside a fireplace which dominated one wall. Reinhold eased himself into one of the chairs with a grunt, then clapped loudly causing a servant to appear.
‘Light a fire,’ Reinhold ordered, ‘and bring some refreshments for me and my guest.’ The servant backed away, head bowed as he disappeared to fulfil the orders.
‘Why does this place smell of lemons?’ Blanc asked, taking a seat herself.
‘I’m told the juice of lemons works as a cleaner, especially effective on a
ll the antique furniture around here.’ Reinhold slid a finger across the dark wood coffee table beside his chair. ‘Not my idea, but it does give the place a refreshing scent, no?’
‘It certainly beats the smell of famine and death outside those doors,’ Blanc said.
Before Reinhold could reply, two servants stepped into the room, one placing a tray of appetisers on the table beside Reinhold and the other kneeling to start a fire.
‘You have smoked salmon?’ Blanc asked, surprised at the sight of a delicacy she had only ever seen in pictures.
Reinhold raised an eyebrow as he studied Blanc. ‘I had no idea you were a connoisseur of fine food,’ he said. ‘I assumed you all ate leathery, boiled meat and the like up north.’ Reinhold scooped up one of the delicacies and dropped it into his mouth. ‘Help yourself, of course. I have them specially produced and imported from Carson Waters. Terribly expensive, but it is wonderful for stirring an appetite.’
‘Enough pleasantries, I think,’ Blanc said, unwilling to take the food from him despite her interest. ‘You said in your message that you found Aiden. How did you manage that?’
‘Ah yes,’ Reinhold said with a smug expression. ‘Just a simple matter of putting out a reward on his head. Unfortunately this city is full of lowlifes that would sell out their own family for a chance at a loaf of bread. Though sometimes they do have their uses.’ Reinhold reached for another appetiser. ‘So let’s call it an even one thousand tokens.’
‘A thousand tokens,’ Blanc repeated in a monotone.
‘Well, you can’t expect the reward to come out of my own pocket,’ Reinhold protested, wiping his pudgy fingers on his sleeve. ‘Don’t forget I’m doing you a favour here.’
Blanc glared at the man as he swallowed his salmon and warmed his hands towards the now-lit fire. He picked up a dark wooden box from the table and pulled out a cigarette. He extended the box towards Blanc, but she shook her head. The extravagance turned her stomach. This man’s greed was endless.
