As we approach the entrance to the inn, I see Josa standing off to one side. I haven’t seen the sardonic witch since leaving Dubasa. I greet her warmly, and she hurries over to embrace me.
“I was so sorry about how things turned out at Vel,” she says. “I hated leaving you behind. Coruff has sent us messages, and kept us updated on your voyage. I gather you overcame a rodent issue.”
“And nearly got killed by a sorcerer. I got lucky, I suppose.”
“Mmm… not lucky that he was on that ship, right?”
“No. Someone was trying to harm the coven, we’re sure of it, though it’s not clear who. The First Mate of the ship was involved; I found his letters, and they contain some useful information.
“Really? Can I see?”
I take a moment to pull the four crumpled letters from my pack, and hand them to Josa. “Sure. Take them – perhaps you can figure out more about this conspiracy than I can. Anyway, I wanted to say that I owe my life to van Turk’s shooting and to Coruff.”
At this, Josa looks around to Coruff. “And van Turk is not with you?”
Coruff frowns deeply. “No, that was not the plan. He didn’t manage to catch up with you? He left Nimroth before us, planning to ride quickly to Sefindarg City, and hoping to catch up with you soon after.”
Josa looks worried. “I see. Well, as you can perhaps see, he did not. Not before the coven had to leave our intended route, that is. I suppose he could be halfway to Dathmir by now.”
Garner puts one hand on Josa’s shoulder and smiles. “We all know that van Turk is a smart and capable warrior,” he says. “I don’t think it will take him too long to find out where we are.”
Coruff looks worried, and begins to usher us all inside. “You could be right, Garner. But if so, then it won’t take our enemies too long, either.”
* * *
Garner holds the inn door, and I walk inside with the others close behind. The taproom is large, with a rich smell of home-cooked stew and fresh bread. It’s busy, though most people look like locals, in contrast to the mercenaries and sailors who were the primary patrons of the Hummingbird Inn back in Vel. They sit at barrel-sized round tables, though as I walk further in, I see that there are a few larger booth-style areas at the back, opposite the bar, each with a sizeable rectangular table.
Just then, I see a very familiar figure at one of the booths; a very short woman with dark skin and robes. “Maleki,” I cry, and the tiny witch smiles inscrutably at me as I hurry towards her. “Come, Daria, sit. It’s safe here, but let’s not draw too much attention to ourselves.”
“Sorry,” I say, sitting at the table. I see that P’oytox is seated there too, and I smile, glad to see that my former travel companion also survived his encounter with the slavers unscathed. Perhaps I will hear more about this soon. As the others seat themselves at the same table, he looks back at me inscrutably.
A friendly half-orc server with white hair and reddish skin brings over steaming cups of some beverage or other, and a mug is placed in front of me. The smell reminds me of turmeric, but when I take a sip, it tastes sweet and nourishing. “Dwarven mead,” says Josa, noticing my reaction. “Very popular here. The Ironrock dwarves send it down by the barrel.”
Lugg sits beside me, and soon Garner joins us in the booth too, sitting beside Maleki and putting an arm across the little witch’s shoulders. “You’ve seen the soldiers outside the city, I guess?” she says.
“Yes,” I reply, as Garner also nods. “We walked a little way down the road, but there is no way of getting past.”
“They are led by the Kapa-Vane general, Snagaras,” I add, “the same white elf who persecuted the coven back on the Islands of Dubasa. I’m sorry to say that he has followed us all the way here. We narrowly escaped his mercenaries a couple of times on our way through the mountains. And…” I hesitate, taking a glance around the bar, but nobody is standing close. “And Lugg saw one of the knights,” I finish, looking around at my friend.
“Yes,” says Lugg quietly. “One of the Knights of Dawn by a tent, full armor, very dangerous for us all.”
“That’s not news to me,” says Garner, “for I have spoken to the local scouts. They told me that a knight by the name of Valizor has joined the Imperial troops, after travelling here from Sefindarg City. They believe that another one from their order will soon join him, probably the same one who we saw in Nimroth. That will make two elite fighters, and we are not at all well equipped to face them. But we must do our best.” He glances around at the others, and then looks directly at me.
“What do you have in mind?” I ask.
“We have contacts in the city,” he says, “and the lizard folk may help as well…” At this he tails off with a slight shrug, and I can see there is no clear plan as yet.
“We need to reunite the coven,” says Maleki, “that much is clear.”
Raising my eyebrows at this, I sit back, cradling my warming mug of dwarven mead. I am half expecting an argument to develop over whether the coven should indeed try to enter Katresburg – as I advised before I knew it was besieged – or should instead press on to Dathmir, as Coruff wanted. The latter is now starting to seem like the obvious choice.
But to my surprise, Coruff and Maleki are quickly in agreement that they should find a way to enter Katresburg as soon as possible.
“But why?” I say. “I mean – I basically agree with you in principle. But surely with those troops and the Knights of Dawn outside the city gates, that is no longer an option?”
“Young Daria,” says Maleki, “Dathmir is even more problematic. Imperial troops are marching that way as we speak. After a series of decisive victories on his eastern border, the Emperor’s attention has turned westward once again. We were challenged on the road eastward from Sefindarg City, and had to flee for our lives.”
“They challenged you because you look like magic users?” I ask, frowning.
Maleki nods grimly. “Indeed. It is now clear that the Emperor will not tolerate any magic users outside of his own servants.”
Garner swears softly, and Josa looks furious at the mention of it.
“Yes,” I say. “I heard of this foul Imperial decree when I was in Nimroth.”
“Indeed,” says Maleki again, calmly. “And nor can we hide or flee any further – for several of our friends are trapped inside Katresburg.”
“They are?” I say. “How so?”
“To avoid the Imperials, we decided to travel by boat, upriver,” says Josa, “and that voyage took us to Lake Dyska, close to here. But we were then pursued by Imperial troops, and our party was divided. Some made it to the city and are safe within its walls, at least for now. The rest of us fled for the trees, and eventually made it here.”
“Yes,” says Maleki, nodding. “And so it comes to pass that the rest of our coven is in Katresburg, as are the old knight, Dakkir Mac-Shinter, and some of his apprentices, as they traveled with us from home.”
We are all silent for a moment, and then Josa leans forward, cradling her drink in both hands. “This new Imperial law makes it even more important that the rebellion succeeds. Katresburg could be the only place where our kind is safe, for now. But if they can win, and start to spread their influence…”
“Then the coven will be safe at last,” finishes Maleki. She looks to her side. “Talking of which… some of you have not met our newest member.”
I follow her gaze; she is looking at P’oytox, who makes a hissing noise and bows his head slightly.
“P’oytox,” I say, feeling both confused and elated. “You joined the coven?”
Maleki speaks up. “This plan was hatched back on Dubasa,” she says. “But yes. We are pleased and honored to welcome him as our newest member.”
“And I,” says P’oytox, “am very pleased to join this fine network, and to help in any way I can with the struggle against the Knights of Dawn and against the Empire. They have done enough harm to my people. I cannot wait in the swamp for them to come
and do further damage.”
“Then we must seek to assist the folk of Katresburg without delay,” says Garner, “before the Imperial siege breaks down the rebellion and takes the city. That would mean the death of our brethren from the coven, and our hopes of safety.”
I look at my ranger friend, and then around at the other faces at the table. Clearly a great challenge lies ahead if we are to unite and protect the coven, but it is a considerable comfort to me that at last we are reunited, and can face the challenge together.
Chapter 35: By Morning
We spend the night in the Black Swan Inn.
I am feeling tired after everything that has happened, and when I get to my room in the inn, I quickly fall asleep, comfortable in the knowledge that in the real world, I am safe inside the Viperstar sleeping pod.
By morning I wake, fired up with thoughts of revolution, and hurry downstairs. The inn’s large bar area is quiet, though, and I approach the red-skinned orc barman to ask about Lugg.
“He’s gone out already,” he says, “with a group of the local scouts. His bravery is much appreciated by us local folks. Your big bowman friend is still here, if you want to speak to him. He is standing outside.”
“Gone with scouts?” I repeat, wondering if he knows more.
“Sure,” he growls, stepping closer to me. His breath smells bad. “Several groups of scouts leave early each day, aiming to get the latest information on the numbers and movement of the Imperial forces. If there any small groups of enemies, Imperials or their mercenaries, they tackle them.”
I thank him, grab a piece of bread and a hunk of cheese from a selection that is sitting on platters on the bar itself, throw down a couple of silver pieces, and then move outside.
As I go, I reflect that the inn, and the village more widely, could be emerging as a centre of resistance. The scouts and soldiers who I have seen appear to be primarily folk from Katresburg itself – folk who managed to escape prior to the start of the siege or were outside the city walls at the time. Many villagers have been drafted in, too.
Exciting and dangerous times.
Garner is standing just outside the main door, leaning on a spear; he smiles and nods in my direction, and I notice that most of my other companions are deep in conversation nearby. I seat myself on a bench in front of the inn, a half-log of oak that overlooks an open grassy area, from which I can see the houses of the village main street beyond. It is a sunny morning, and I begin to listen to the conversation that is unfolding. It appears that some kind of strategy meeting is taking place outside the inn, but that the participants are struggling to agree on the best way forward.
Coruff, Josa and Maleki are deep in conversation with P’oytox as well as a pair of Katresburg soldiers, one male and one female. Some villagers, mostly youngsters, are further away still, watching curiously. It surprises me that my companions would discuss revolt against the Empire in such an open forum. Perhaps they trust the locals implicitly. I suppose that most are likely to be highly sympathetic to the cause, and if any have family members in the city, their loved ones will currently be in grave danger.
As I watch on, I see a tiny white bird circle overhead. It flutters for a moment and then alights on Maleki’s hand, transforming into a piece of parchment, which she then reads, leading to a pause in the discussion. Messages from a more distant coven member, I wonder?
I decide to take my chance to speak.
“Garner mentioned that the siege and the persecution of magic users are linked,” I say, standing again and stepping forward. Coruff, noticing me, puts a paw upon my shoulder, still leaning on her staff.
I guess that was a ‘good morning.’
Maleki nods at my statement, looking up from the little white scroll, which disappears as she drops her hand. “Yes, Daria. As you know, there is the beginning of a resistance against the Empire here in Kamarok province, and Katresburg is at the heart of it, though there are stirrings elsewhere. Of course, the Emperor wants to crush this. If Katresburg falls then the movement will be rooted out, and magic users will have nowhere to hide.”
“It is important that we do our best to support the city, then,” I say.
I begin walking around the open area, circling the companions and keeping a wary eye on the locals. One, a boy of perhaps fifteen, is sucking on a piece of straw, and he blinks at me stupidly. If he is an imperial spy, then he’s a damn fine actor.
“There are two things we need to do, it seems to me,” I continue, returning my attention to the coven members. “Disrupt the siege on Katresburg, and gather support from elsewhere – the Great Swamp to begin with. The people in the city and the lizard folk are divided, but they share a common enemy who threatens them both. If they would work together…”
“The lizard folk are also divided,” interrupts P’oytox. “We are formed of many different clans. Ta’rox leads the Baala Clan, allies of my own. But others are ancient enemies.”
“But Daria’s right about the Imperials being a threat,” says Garner, stepping closer. “If the Imperials take back Katresburg, then they can stamp their authority on the lizard folk with ease.” The big archer is usually happier leaving strategy to others, but I find myself appreciating his observations.
“Well,” I say, glancing at Maleki and thinking hard. “As long as the knights are focused on the city, at least they are not wreaking revenge on the lizard folk as we had feared they would. That has won us some time. Now we need to find a way to somehow drive them off.”
Increase in skill level: Leadership level 15 (Spirit +2)
“But to do that, Daria, we would need to break the siege and take the city,” says Coruff, leaning back on her staff and looking around the group.
“Exactly,” I say, feeling excited. “So that we can unite the coven, and fire up the rebellion.”
“Easy,” mutters Josa.
But the felaxian witch shakes her head. “Without more allies, we don’t have the strength to break the siege,” she says, signalling around us. “They have around two hundred camped outside the city. We have four groups of scouts out ranging right now, each with six volunteers. There are perhaps the same again around the village in terms of Katresburg soldiers and locals who can bear arms. Even if we were to recruit more help from among the lizard folk – not an easy task – we are likely to be outnumbered three to one.”
I frown. “Very well, then. What do you have in mind?”
“We need to get supplies to the city, first,” says Garner. “The people in there are starving, and that includes our friends.”
I step closer. “I’d be happy to help with that. But if we don’t break this siege soon, then surely more Imperials will come, and the same situation will repeat itself. We can’t risk giving them more time.”
“We simply don’t have the troops,” he says, shaking his head.
I look over at P’oytox. “If we can look to the lizard folk…” I begin.
I realize I must sound presumptuous, but the lizard necromancer claps his hands and steps forward. “Leave that to us, Daria.” he says. “We will help however we can. My intention was to depart soon, and start to work to build a force that can join with you and the people of Katresburg when the time is right.”
“You see?” says Garner. “Of course we want to defeat the Empire. We hate them, and they threaten the coven’s very survival. But we need more time to prepare, and to gather allies.”
“What about the dwarves of the mountains?” Coruff asks, looking around at the group. “Might they be persuaded to join our cause?”
“They are less divided than the lizard kin,” says the female Katresburg soldier, speaking up from the first time since I have arrived. The muscular warrior has olive-colored skin and short dark hair. She is wearing a chainmail vest and has a very large two-handed broadsword strapped to her back. She certainly looks like she could handle herself in a fight. “But they would not attack Imperials without very good reason,” she adds. “It would be almost impossibl
e to gain their help, I believe.”
“Thank you, Kora,” says Garner to the woman. “We can at least send a dispatch to them. But in any case, the issue remains the same.” He steps closer, looking at me. “We can’t risk a pitched battle just yet. They outnumber us, and the knight is an elite warrior who could cut through our volunteers.”
This was not the revolution I was expecting. I catch Josa’s eye again, and she shrugs, looking at me as she says, “But yet, we can’t wait.”
Garner takes a step back, looking down at the well-trodden earthen path that connects the inn with the rest of the village. It is dusty and bare of grass, and he begins to mark out lines and curves with the butt of his spear.
“The soldiers are camped near a ridge, like this, see?” he says, pointing at his diagram in the dirt as the others gather around. I nod, remembering the raised area of rock in the Imperial camp, where the knights’ tent was located.
“The city is here” – he forms a larger circle around where he is standing – “and the river runs this way. This is the lake.” At the latter statement, he scratches some lines near the edge of the grass.
“Ok,” I say, stepping up to the edge of the ‘lake’ in his diagram, and the others move closer as well.
“Their captains are there, the Katresburg scouts have told us,” he adds, making two crosses in the dirt.
“There are the red knight and the general of the mercenaries, too,” I say, “is that what you mean by captains?”
Garner pauses, looking over at the Katresburg soldiers, and the muscular woman named Kora speaks up again. “Yes, the knight seems to be in charge overall,” she says. “There are also two captains from the regular Imperial army, but they will most likely remain with the troops.”
The Call of the Coven: A LitRPG novel (Shadow Kingdoms Book 2) Page 24