The captain gave a pleased nod at his man's information. "Excellent, Phillip. Then you shall be the one who has officially heard the rumors of murders by crossbow firsthand, and so are leading us directly to track down the culprits involved."
The captain's voice carried a note of intensity when next he spoke. "Remember, men. We are simply looking for evidence, nothing further, at this point. Each squad leader has access to an alarm bell and is to ring it on the instant if we are actively fired upon. Our job here is reconnaissance, nothing more. Two hundred crossbowmen against fifty are not good odds in any situation, let alone when they have the advantage of cover and height as well."
"Pardon me, sir, but how exactly are we going to go about our task, then?" queried one of the captain's men.
With a polite look to the captain, Sorlin chose that moment to speak. "Fear not, good man. Your job, as I am sure your captain will clarify, will be simply to stand ready just out of visual sight of any possible lookouts that might be guarding the warehouse complex while I and our avian companion here scout out the complex undetected. Once I confirm that there are indeed enemy soldiers inside, I shall discretely exit, and messengers shall be sent to the king, and from there our troops will be summoned in force to resolve this threat."
The captain nodded in the torchlight to show his concurrence with the wizard's words. "Our good mage here has the right of it. Our job is potentially a grim one, my friends. Should the enemy soldiers for any reason, whether by dint of alarm or premeditation, attempt an attack upon the city or our high mage on this night, our job will be to pin them down as best we may. Both to give our wizard what aid we can as well as to hold off the enemy's insurgence at least long enough to give our runners sufficient time to warn the city that we are indeed under attack."
The guards' expressions were grim as they nodded, their manner that of men knowing the could be facing a suicide mission. As they all prepared themselves for the precarious venture that lay ahead, they were intercepted on their way out of the palace grounds by, of all coincidences, the entire council of lords. A council that just happened to be accompanied by what looked to be a large portion of the city watch, well over a hundred men, and all clearly loyal to the lords in question.
"Why, what a wonderful coincidence," said none other than lord Vorstice himself. His nose was an ugly bruised mass, looking both inflamed and swollen, though only slightly crooked. No doubt someone had tried to set it, perhaps a healer had looked at it as well. He wore his cloak draped over both shoulders, yet Sorn could tell by both the lines under his cloak and his awkward stance that his shoulder was still heavily bandaged and paining him, not surprising, considering the extent of the injury he had suffered, healers or no. His face was flushed, perhaps indicating fever, but for all that, he looked almost exuberant, so full he was with an almost manic energy. His glittering eyes bespoke of the vindictive hate and fury he otherwise cloaked from his countenance, though in truth his smile was more a grimace.
"Our council and the city watch realized how fruitless it was to look for the renegade wizard Sorn and his fellow warlocks with so few men over such a large area, so we were just on the way to ask for your assistance. Symbolic of the fair relations between royalty and lords alike, you understand." Vorstice near smirked as he finished his statement.
Vorstice, Sorn realized, had not only manipulated the lord's council into doing his bidding, but was now trying to subtly intimidate the king's own men as well.
"You will have to pardon us… Lord Vorstice is it? So you are now the head of the lord's council then?" The captain of the guards queried with cool politeness.
"Hardly that," said a gruff commanding voice, as a rather large red-faced man made his way to the forefront of the impromptu pack of lords. Sorn found it interesting to note that Elissa's earlier observation had been correct. The lords here really did dress like fops. Still, a few of the younger ones had a certain grace that implied they might actually have some proficiency with the light rapiers that they wore at their sides, and Sorn decided that at some point he would enjoy challenging one or two of them to a friendly match.
"The good Lord Vorstice has suffered grievous injury at the hands of a number of culprits, the most dangerous one still being on the loose, and we are merely working to assure that justice is done, and that our city is kept safe," asserted the dark-haired lord, broad shoulders and ample belly both giving him a certain presence most of the other lords lacked, more than a few stepping back deferentially when he spoke. Apparently, this was the genuine head of the lord's council, giving Vorstice an unfathomable look as he addressed the captain.
The captain of the Royal Guardsmen gave the head of the lords council a respectful nod. "Indeed. Well, the best of luck to you then. I am, of course, happy to see that Lord Vorstice has successfully escaped the depredations of his attackers. Your cause is, of course, a most worthy one. Unfortunately, however, we are unable to assist you at the moment, as we are presently on our way to investigate a series of murders. Not only are they alarming simply for their occurrence at this time, but for the method of execution as well."
The captain gave an almost theatrical sigh. "Though I grieve for your loss, good Vorstice, you must understand that we pursue prey that has, as of yet, left no survivors to report of, only bodies heretofore cleverly concealed, the discovery of which is so far our only clue to the crime."
The captain stared thoughtfully at the self-proclaimed leader of the lords, though not so long as to allow them time to interject before he continued speaking. "Lord Cantrose, is it?" The captain smiled at the lord's heavy nod. "Excellent. Knowing you to be a man of reason and prudence, I am sure you can understand what a serious crime this is, particularly in regards to the method in which it occurred. Perhaps you would be so kind as to assist us with the aid of the city watch? This is, of course, a matter which by definition falls under their jurisdiction of investigation as well, though we can appreciate that they have been preoccupied with Lord Vorstice's own set of troubles. Still, given the truly grievous threat we may be facing, I am sure you can understand why now would be an excellent time to join our forces and investigate this threat in unison."
Vorstice's eyes widened at the captain's words. It appeared that Vorstice did not like this suggestion at all. He was about to speak until Lord Cantrose, with a cool look and a hand on Vorstice's uninjured shoulder, spoke instead. He addressed the captain of the Royal Guards in an authoritative, yet cordial tone. "You spoke of these murders being of an unusual nature that boded ill for all of us. What precisely makes them any worse, if you will forgive me being so blunt, than the work of any other cutthroat? May they all be drowned at sea, of course. And with that said, is it possible that the culprit of these crimes might have some connection to Vorstice's own attackers, who between them managed to kill a dozen or so of Vorstice's own personal guard this very afternoon?"
"A very good point," the captain conceded, his tone cordial as well. "For in truth, the thought of renegade warlocks being responsible for the deaths of some dozen men is a very troubling one indeed."
He gave Sorlin a pointed sideways glance as he said this, and Sorn just knew that didn't sound too good.
"The question is, of course, how were Vorstice's men killed. For the killers we are looking for used nothing less than heavy crossbows, from what the evidence tells us."
This revelation resulted in a series of gasps from the nobles and the watchmen as well, all looking suddenly pale-faced and grim. To a lord, it seemed, few things were viewed as a graver threat than the thought that there could be assassins on the loose with weapons that could so readily kill a noble with a single well placed shot, despite guards and fortifications alike. One could hardly enjoy a stroll through one's carefully maintained gardens, after all, if one had to worry about lord-hating rebels with crossbows lurking about. Sorn could see these thoughts on the faces of the lords, along with the expressions of outrage and dismay alike, as clearly as if they had spoken their thoughts a
loud.
"Perhaps," Cantrose allowed, "perhaps your investigation is indeed one that should not be put off on our account."
"Balderdash!" Vorstice declared venomously, his body literally shaking with rage. The look he focused on the captain was one of near venomous hatred. "Complete balderdash! This has nothing to do with any flimsy murder pretext at all, does it, Captain? No, I think not. You, as everyone knows, are no less than the king's bootlicking lackey. And as any good servant or lackey would, you will do whatever task you are directed to. It is obvious to me that you are part of the ploy to discredit me, and indeed shows that the king himself is involved in the plot to frame me for conspiracy!"
"Vorstice!" Lord Cantrose glared in warning.
"Please, my lord, let me continue!" And here Vorstice's voice became weak and simpering, as if he were some wounded victim being pressed past his endurance.
"We all know that Halence and Sorn are favored by the king himself! When they brought me here after having failed to torture me into acquiescing to their demands to sign away my estates and write a confession of my part partaking in some harebrained plot, they then threatened to see me royally executed, and promised that my lands would be seized in any case! As I told you, the idea that I am involved in some conspiracy is the cornerstone of the fabricated pretext they wish to use to destroy me! And as we all now know just from gazing outside, the Empire's men appear to have many crossbowmen and archers at their disposal.
"So wouldn't it make sense during this time of upheaval for the king to do all he could to finally solidify his position and take those last shreds of power we have managed to hold onto as lords? Our power has been steadily stripped for generations, the royal family cajoling us and coddling us until our ancestors finally acceded, shamefully, to the king's requests and decrees, signing away their sovereignty and power for silks and trinkets. Only now, now when we are organized so as to have our voices finally heard, under you, great Lord Cantrose, heard for the sake of saving our city nonetheless, the king plays his final gambit. He strives to use the fear and uncertainty of the populace for his own ends to facilitate grabbing our remaining land and wealth, our very houses for himself, while putting us and our families on the chopping block!"
Though Sorn felt the argument amounted to little more than the contrived drivel of a panicked man, it nevertheless seemed to be playing perfectly into the fears and concerns of his fellow lords, and many were nodding their heads thoughtfully at Vorstice's assertions.
"I tell you this because these are the very words I overheard Halence discussing with Sorn after, I am shamed to admit it, I fainted from their torture." Vorstice's voice dropped to a piteous whisper at this point, amidst a few sympathetic murmurs from his fellow lords. "Though it burns me to say it, I must have the courage to confess it nonetheless, for that is how, half still in a daze mind you, I heard their gloating conversation about what the king truly had in store for us, these two agents being so deep into his confidence. I tell you, my lords, this is all part of the gambit to discredit all of us! No doubt there is some house or warehouse filled with crossbowmen. No doubt there is some tunnel or such. But I tell you this, as like as not the tunnel leads straight to the king's own barracks, and no doubt we would all be surprised to find that there were papers, conveniently found by the King's Guard no less, indicating all of our involvement in this so-called conspiracy! For a conspiracy it is, against us!
"Those self-same crossbowmen will in all likelihood retreat after a mock fight with the guardsmen here, then redress in the royal colors to serve us all writs for arrest in the days ahead. Staring at us in contempt as the king finally brings us to our knees and we look on with horror, forced to watch as the king coldly sends our very wives and children to the chopping block. A final torment to fill our hearts with such misery that we will welcome the gruesome deaths that the king has in store for us as well!"
Though a number of the older lords looked at Vorstice askance, the majority of the council and the city watch as well were looking at the king's guard with no small amount of fear and alarm both, quickly transforming into a steadily growing anger.
"Vorstice, these claims…" Cantrose's attempt to speak was abruptly cut off a second time by a Vorstice who appeared suddenly inflamed with a brilliant insight.
"You will see, Cantrose. I will prove that what I have witnessed was true! So tell me, guard captain, and don't lie, for we will follow you, lest you try to dissuade us of your true purpose, which we all know is sealing the doom of every lord who still maintains his freedom in Caverenoc, where exactly were these murders reported? Near any particular buildings perhaps?"
The captain's reply was void of all inflection. "The incidents were reported to have occurred near a series of warehouses some distance into the city proper."
"These wouldn't by any chance be a series of three warehouses recently conjoined, would they?"
"As a matter of fact, they would, Lord Vorstice."
"You see?" Vorstice declared with a look of manic triumph. "Just as I have said! At my very warehouses, no less! This whole murder story is a poppycock contrivance, nothing but a pretext to allow them to 'unveil' some horde of men no doubt hiding in my warehouses as we speak who, upon capture or some such, will, of course, claim to be the Empire's very men! So you see, my lords? This proves that the king and his own men are in active cahoots to deprive us of what little we retain before butchering all our families for treason!"
Cantrose and several other lords were taken aback by Vorstice's wild series of accusations and conclusions, but the majority of lords present, young men who had been in their cups at least a bit, from what Sorn could tell, seemed entirely persuaded by Vorstice's declarations. They gazed at the King's Guard with ill-concealed fear and hatred both, as did the city watch, some of the younger patrolmen almost spasmodically clenching the hilts of their swords as if just itching for a fight.
"And who is this?" Vorstice cried, raising his good arm to point straight at Sorlin, eyes alighting once again in triumph. "A mage, no less? So you see my brothers, not only has the king employed his own men at this subterfuge designed to see all our heads on the chopping block, but he has managed to corrupt the very wizards of our city as well! Breaking no less than four hundred years of treaty bound oaths between wizards and mundanes alike!
"Oh, woe is Caverenoc, when the other nations learn of its terrible betrayal. No doubt these wizards will leave our entire city little more than flaming embers when mages from all the nations bound by arcane treaties come here in force to battle these oath breakers with their fell magics. For once having been proved traitors, these very mages who had once sworn to protect our city only to betray us in our hour of need, will, in their desperate struggle to avoid their justly deserved punishment, have nothing to lose in slaughtering the very citizens they had sworn to defend!"
Even Lord Cantrose looked askance once he recognized Sorlin, and the mood was rapidly turning to one of fear-drenched incipient violence, the captain's own men resolutely lining themselves up for what would no doubt be a grim battle. Though considerably better trained, the Royal Guardsmen were outnumbered by the city watch two to one, and their weapons at hand at the moment were of similar design.
Sorlin did his best to chill the growing hostility before it led to outright blows. "I warn you to think carefully, sirs. You are being led about on puppet strings, if only you would see it. If you attack me, I can assure you that such will be an act that you will answer for."
Sorlin's voice, stripped of the amiable veneer with which he normally interacted with people, held a cold authority that caused more than one city watchman to slowly take his hand away from sword hilt. Yet this was only a sad minority of the whole, and nearly all the city watch and younger lords alike glared at Sorlin in hot-eyed hate, Vorstice's expression at that moment one of malicious triumph.
The captain was well aware of the incipient hostility that had been brewed to a near boiling point by Vorstice's canny machinations, and s
o discretely sent one of his men back to the castle for backup.
Vorstice actually broke into a manic grin, his dark eyes exultant as the man quickly made his way back. "You see?" He cried. "This is where it starts! They couldn't steal our lands by blackmail and treachery, so now they are going to butcher us all where we stand. To swords, my brothers, to swords! Let's end this royal menace and take back the city that is rightfully ours!"
With those words most of the guardsmen unsheathed their swords along with a number of the nobles flashing their rapiers. Yet for all the greater speed promised by their style, the lightness of the lord's weapons and their own lack of armor boded ill for them indeed, were they to actually engage the king's well-trained and highly skilled guardsmen, especially in the crush of close quarters fighting where they could not dodge and maneuver as was ideal for their fencing style.
Nonetheless, the city guard and nobles began catcalling the royal guard, goading themselves for a fight and battle that seemed imminent. Sorn knew things were rapidly approaching the point of no return when even Sorlin started the low incantations that indicated he was casting a spell of his own. It seemed that Vorstice's manipulations would result in Caverenoc's forces destroying themselves for the benefit of the Empire's forces, despite all of Sorn's earlier efforts. At that point, he knew he had to do something that would shock them all free of this death spiral, and do it quick.
21
“Soldiers and armsmen of Caverenoc, city watch and royal guard alike, are you all idiots?" Sorn fairly screeched, the surprise of hearing an animal speak freezing the lord’s men as Sorn had hoped it would. The captain's men just coldly waited.
"Look at yourselves! You nobles seem to fear that somehow the king has a grudge against you, and so you have let one of your number goad you to such terror that you are willing to fight the king's most skillful armsmen with nothing more than light fencing weapons? And this in close quarters, no less, where you can't dodge worth a damn, and in absolutely no armor? This is supposed to save you somehow? Think!
Peril & Profit Page 36
