by Daniel Casey
Moria looked Jena over and was obviously wary betraying more than a bit of contempt, “She’s certainly got my girl in a tizzy. Won’t stop going on and on about the ‘lady adventurer’ that’s strolled in.”
Jena snorted, muttering “Lady.”
“Yeah, that’s what I said.” Moria turned her attention back to Addison, “Tanner’s been gone for weeks now and I’ve gotten no word. You need to go check on him.”
“I said I would and I will…”
“You need to stop saying it and go do it.” Moria stuck her finger in his face, “I’m running this place alone—as always—but I still need him here.”
“Where was he off to?” Jena asked.
“None of your concern,” Moria snapped.
“Easy now,” Addison held out his hand, “Moria, I’ll be heading up there in a couple of days. Likely once I get on my horse, he’ll show up back in town with Colm in tow.”
Jena bit her lip and hide her face in her glass. Moria wasn’t sated, “Not likely. You go up there and soon and you tell that bastard to quit loafing. It isn’t a retreat. He’s needed here and now.” She turned on her heel and left.
“That woman is difficult.” Addison mumbled.
“All you men think that about any woman that knows what she wants.” Jena scoffed, “Especially the closer you get to Bandra.”
Addison raised an eyebrow, “The Cathedral has clear rules about the place of women.”
“Yeah,” Jena poured the last of the raki into her and Addison’s glasses, “They most certainly do.”
“But not everyone in the Light sees things that way.” Addison gave her a knowing look. He sipped his drink and the two sat in silence for a few moments.
“So, if you’re still around, do you want to come along?” He finally asked.
“What? Where?”
“On my little errand for Moria. If I said you helped, might get her to knock off a few silvers from your tab.”
Jena hesitated as she brought her glass to her lips, “I don’t think she’d care for that too much. Or me.”
“She doesn’t care too much for anyone. Besides, if you stay here you will end up in tussle with Heston. And that just means I’ll have a mess to clean up when I get back. If you come with me…”
“You postpone the mess?” Jena smirked.
Addison shrugged, “It’s clear you’re here for a reason. Clear to me that you’re not the kind of person who should be here. And I suspect that the longer you’re here, the more likely the gifters lazing about will feel the urge to test themselves against a real ranger.”
“You could just throw me out of town.” She offered.
He nodded, “That’s a way to make a mess of things.”
“My business here won’t take long. I’ll be gone before your ‘gifters,’ is it? Before your gifters can make a fuss.”
Addison stood taking the last piece of lavash and folding it a few times. He torn off a bit and popped it into his mouth, “Fair enough, but I’m just off that crossroads where we talked if you change your mind. Don’t get too drunk.” He winked at her and left.
Moria was behind the bar shooting daggers at him as he walked out. Looking around, Jena couldn’t spy Heston anywhere. She took her time finishing the last of the raki. No one else came in and no one else left. This looked to be it, about twelve people including herself and the staff she had seen. Jena reasoned that there’d be some folk in the kitchen she hadn’t met, maybe a cook and a prep. No more than fifteen people in the building.
She could handle this, she told herself. She hadn’t expected any of this but, of course, what she didn’t do was expect anything at all. Jena cursed herself for not planning. She could hear Roth in the back of her mind telling her she needed to get out of there, just get away. She also knew that Roth wouldn’t have left, that he’d be doing exactly what she was doing. Or, at least, doing some version of it.
She hadn’t thought of him, had deliberately driven the thoughts away, since she had returned to the Cruor. Was he in the taiga now or still traveling down the river? Would Colm be able to handle the cold? Would he come back, would he want her to come to him? Jena was angry with Roth more often than not. Yet she couldn’t get him out of her mind, couldn’t stop thinking about him and the others.
She stood abruptly and strode across the room and out the door. Moria’s gaze had snapped away from what she was doing and fixed on Jena. When she had left, Moria barked for Jej, who appeared seemingly out of thin air.
“That one.” Moria said.
“The lady adven…”
“Yes, yes,” Moria cut her off, “She keeps her room locked?”
“Quite tight. Even now, the door won’t budge an’ I used the skeleton key.”
“Yes, they have tricks.” Moria let herself relax a bit, “Addison is going to bring Tanner back soon so make sure to redd-up Colm’s room.”
Jej smiled and nodded, “And the lady adven…”
“Stop calling her that.” Moria said exasperated. She shook her head, “Keep an eye on her. I don’t want trouble here and that one, she reeks of it.”
“I donna think she wants to cause problems.” Jej said innocently enough.
“They never do, it just always seems to find them.” Moria said more to herself than to Jej. “Well? Go on, then.”
She shooed Jej on and set a bottle of some dark amber liquor on the bar. Pouring herself a glass, she watched as Heston snaked casually out of the shadows and out the door.
“No, they never go seeking it do they.” She whispered.
Spires Army
“No, I’m not calling you stupid, I’m calling that plan stupid.” Fery said in exasperation.
“You weren’t there. I had to think on my feet.” Goshen was getting more defensive as the argument went on.
“So then why not have him do the talking?” Fery pointed at Declan who held up his hands begging to be kept out of it.
“Because I didn’t need him. He’d already gotten us in a pinch stealing those horses.” Goshen turned to Declan, “Which, by the way, should have gone smoother.”
“I’m not a thief.” Declan said dismissively.
“Then why did we even bother!”
“Because we were moving like sad sap. Those horses would’ve double our pace.”
“It’s moot now. We’re here, and we’re not leaving any time soon.” Fery threw up her hands.
Just then, Kira entered the tent and the other three all fell silent. She glared at them, turned, and made sure that the flap was tightly closed. She let out a heavy sigh.
“So good news then.” Declan asked.
Kira moved to the fire pit at the center of the pavilion and knelt, “Things are going to get complicated.”
“Finally.”
“Enough with the sarcasm, Declan.” Goshen said.
Fery came over to sit next to Kira. She stoked the coals and waited for Kira to continue. The tent they had been escorted to when they were first brought into the camp must have been one of the messes for the soldiers. There had been two lines of long tables and squat benches. Some greasy looking wooden bowls were spaced on the tabletops every few feet or so. It was empty, and the four of them were told to stay put.
This was when Fery first confronted Goshen about his lie to the Spires soldiers. She was indignant about being a nurse, and Declan had egged her on. It was clear that the unit’s commander, Kees, knew Goshen was lying but he wasn’t confident enough to take action on his own. When Kees returned to the mess, he had with him a Kyrio. All of them were surprised, but Declan visibly tensed and when Fery gave him a confused look, he nervously shook his head.
The Kyrio didn’t say a word but stared hard at each of them. Then he turned on his heel and left. Kees smirked following him. A few minutes later several soldiers came in, sat down, and began talking gregariously. Goshen was about to say something when another group entered, guards, and separated Kira from the rest. She disappeared in a mass of blue armor
and the others were taken to this tent.
On their way, Goshen and Declan had been able to take in the state of the camp. Both grew more and more on edge, the more they saw. This was a war camp, an amassing army.
Finally, Kira spoke, “They know who I am.”
Fery put her hand over Kira’s, “They wouldn’t hurt you, you’re an alm for Light.”
Kira shook her head, “It’s not like that.”
“You told them who you were?” Goshen asked.
“They already knew,” Declan dragged a chair over to the fire pit and sat down, “at least, that Kyrio knew who I was.”
“What does that mean?” Fery asked.
“Who do you think hired me?”
Kira and Goshen looked at Declan, who shrugged. Fery continued, “So they know. You told them about the Cruor?” Kira nodded.
“But I don’t think these soldiers know about us.” Declan said.
“Why is that?” Goshen asked. Just then, a soldier yanked at the entrance flap. He tugged at it several times cursing and then burst inside. He had a sour look on his face as he glared at the four, then he pulled back the flap and the same Kyrio from the mess entered.
He nodded at the soldier, who left begrudgingly, “So here we are.”
“Who are you?” Fery asked with caution.
The Kyrio bowed his head slightly. “I am Kyrio Hylan Tobin,” he said with a fake smile, “And you would be?”
Fery looked sidelong at Kira who nodded, “I’m Fery Landis of Rikonen. I am…”
“Wynne Landis’s daughter.” Tobin broke in, “Where is your father?”
Fery didn’t say anything, but Tobin simply waited with a serene look on his face. Goshen frowned, “Why are we being held like this?”
“Master Staad, it might be best if you resist making demands. It’s going to be difficult enough for me to smooth things over here in camp for you.”
Goshen turned to Kira and asked quietly, “You told him about me?”
“Yes, she did,” Tobin strolled around the fire pit taking the four in, “and from the sound of things, it’s going to be very, very difficult to get you re-integrated into The Cathedral. Considering your name was struck from the roles and the justiciars have ruled you a criminal for defying their judgment of you.”
“I did nothing wrong, that was a sham…” Goshen was furious, but Tobin merely closed his eyes and waved him off.
“I’ve no interest in the particulars.” Tobin pointed at Goshen, “I will say the only way you’ll be able to set things right will be at The Cathedral itself.”
“We were on our way to The Spires.” Declan said with an uncharacteristic sheepishness.
“Obviously not quickly enough.” Tobin glared at Declan, “But I can’t fault you for that, you’ve done what was asked of you. Perhaps not ideally, but well enough.”
“What does he mean?” Goshen asked Declan.
“You never ask the right questions Master Staad.” Tobin shook his head.
“Declan was supposed to deliver us to The Spires.” Kira replied.
“Not quite,” Tobin nodded, “I am part of a select coterie that are looking to end our nation’s aggression.”
“You mean The Blockade?” Fery asked.
Tobin nodded, “Among other things.”
“The other things being?” Goshen said.
Tobin dismissed the question, “You’ll discover at the right time.”
“I need to know now.” Goshen’s face was red. “I’m fed up with all this. I demand to know…” Declan stood up and came over to him placing his hand on his shoulder. Goshen threw him off, but then softened whispering an apology.
“He’s right, Kyrio Tobin, we deserve to know about the forces acting on our fate.” Kira’s voice was flat, disconnected.
“Very well.” Tobin came over to the chair where Declan had been sitting. He shooed him away and sat. Declan and Goshen moved to the opposite side of the fire pit to stand behind Kira and Fery. The four were facing Tobin waiting for him to begin.
“I suppose I should start by asking just how much you know already and what exactly your plan is.” When none of the four spoke, Tobin shrugged and continued.
“In this day and age, information is currency. It is not only the force that binds not just the wealthy and the aristocratic or allows the powerful to maintain their station, but also the weapon through which more wealth, better positions, and broader power is achieved.”
“Within my city of Ardavass, there has been jockeying between the Spires since the very founding of the city. Although a rising realm now, this fundamental trait of my people has not changed. If anything, it’s been exported to our neighbors. Most certainly to the clergy of your sacred city of Sulecin.”
“The Cathedral isn’t my city.” Fery said defiantly.
“It may not be, but it is, superficially at least, your faith.” Tobin said assertively and Fery turned her eyes down.
“Not for all of us.” Declan said in an attempt to defend her.
“Master Rainway, your faith is hardly something of my concern. In fact, I believe I have it right here.” Tobin removed a purse from the sleeve of his cassock. He held it in his palm as though he was testing its weight. Apparently satisfied, he looked at Declan with emotionless eyes and tossed the pouch to him. Declan let the purse hit him in the shoulder and fall to the ground.
Tobin blinked as a wry smile crept onto his face, “A new master now, Declan?”
“I’ve always been my own.” Declan said menacingly.
“Have you?” Tobin said dismissive, “Your contract with us is fulfilled. If you choose, you may walk way knowing that several powerful and rich persons in Ardavass appreciate your service.”
Goshen looked down at the purse, then up into Declan’s face. Declan was stone glaring at Tobin. Goshen whispered, “We wouldn’t think less of you.”
Declan turned his head locking eyes with Goshen and growled, “That’s a damnable thing for you to say to me.”
Goshen couldn’t help but smile. Fery was looking up at the two the entire time. She picked up the purse and put it in Declan’s hand.
“You earned it.” She said
Declan griped the purse and blushed a bit, “I’m staying the course.”
Tobin clapped breaking the mood, “Delightful. Shall I continue?”
“Maybe with a bit more directness.” Kira was staring into the coals. Her voice was eerily distant.
“Sorry if you’re finding…”
“Please, just...” Kira’s eyes fluttered as she gestured for Tobin to go on.
“My nation is in the wrong when it comes to Rikonen. Those like myself are an extreme minority; however we have the ability to pull necessary strings.”
“To end the siege?” Fery asked.
Tobin nodded, “The individual at the head of this army, Matis, is a spoiled and angry young man. He is eager to prove his mettle, and he believes a war on Essia is his chance.”
“How is warring on the whole of Essia going to end The Blockade?” Goshen scoffed.
“Matis will never reach Essia.”
“This army isn’t enough. It’s not even enough to take Heveonen.” Fery said.
“We are aware.”
“What else are you aware of?”
“This army is growing. More and more Novosar arrive by the hour.”
“That still wouldn’t be enough.”
“It would if The Cathedral supplied its paladins and justiciars.” Goshen added.
“And that will certainly happen if the Patriarch sanctions The Blockade.” Tobin held out his hand calming the comments coming from the four. “But Matis is inexperienced and impatient. He’s decided to march this entire army on The Cathedral.” Goshen’s brow furrowed, Declan blurted out a laugh, and Fery just shook her head. Kira, however, remained devoid of emotion.
“The discovery of Alm Ambrose here,” Tobin gestured, “has convinced Matis that there is a rogue faction within The Cathedral. A c
ancer that only he can excise.”
“That won’t stand.” Goshen shook his head. “The Patriarch will mobilize the paladins and justiciars for defense.”
“Exactly,” Tobin said smiling, “The Patriarch will refuse to sanction the The Blockade, forced to take a stand against my nation’s passive aggressive war on Essia. If Matis is fool enough to engage this army with The Cathedral’s, he will be disgraced. Our minority will become a majority and a proper balance will be restored. Essia will rise again in the west, Cassubia will continue to beat as our world’s spiritual heart, and Silvincia will grow in the east.”
Declan shrugged, “Everything right with the world.”
“That’s a bit too much brinksmanship for my taste.” Goshen muttered.
“What if he beats them?” Fery asked sheepishly.
“That would be great surprise.” Tobin shook his head.
“But it could happen.”
“Unlikely,” Tobin said, “It’s a difficult maneuver, and Matis has no real experience. He will push until he collapses.”
“War is your tactic.” Kira said flatly. She fixed her gaze on Tobin, “I’m going to be the cause of a religious war.”
Goshen put his hand on Kira’s shoulder, “That’s not the case.”
Kira put her hand over Goshen’s and gave a weak smile, “You don’t know. This will not end in a bloodless draw.”
“That is true, I’m afraid,” Tobin said, “But you’re presence has only sped up our plan. We would have gotten him there with or without you.” Tobin stood and brushed the front of his cassock off. “You need to make a decision. To stay here in camp, where Matis will certainly use you as a hostage for leverage, or go to Sulecin where our agents can keep you safe.”
“While an army marches on the city and where those that tried to kill us are, still unknown?” Goshen said.
“Those are the choices.” Tobin replied.
None of the four said anything. Kira stood and nodded, “We’ll need to discuss our course of action.”
“Don’t take too long.” Tobin turned to leave, “I am certain that Matis will take you into custody very soon.”
“How soon?” Goshen demanded.
