by Mike Truk
I propped myself up on my elbow. The past hour seemed a blur. Her words - what had she been saying there at the end? That I knew nothing? That she was going to find a way to control the matrixes of our souls…?
I watched as she smoothed down her shift, stepped into her skirt, and pulled it up around her waist to tie off at her hips.
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“My family crypt.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. I seemed to spend most of my time around her not knowing what to say.
She skipped the corset, picked up the upper half of her gown, slid her arms through the sleeves and pulled the bodice tightly about her chest, only to leave it hanging open, so that her shift remained in view.
Fuck. I’d forgotten all about Cerys and Tamara. The whole of the Bonegwayne might have turned out by now to search for us. “We need to get back.”
“We will.” She slid her feet into her shoes, smoothed down her dress, then turned to smile brightly at me. “That was nice. Thank you. Take your time. I’ll see you in the foyer when I’m done.”
And with that she left the room, stepped out into the dark hallway, and was gone.
Fuck, I thought again, falling back onto the bed. I was starting to feel chilled by my cooling sweat. What by the Hanged God’s yawning grin had just happened? Into what delirium had I sunk so that I couldn’t even quite remember her words? They’d been of the greatest import, but all I’d been able to focus on was her body, her sex, her lips and cunt, the need to draw forth gasps and moans, to own her, to let her own me.
And in the process something important had slipped through my fingers.
I sat up. Maybe that’d been because of my king troll nature. My fixating on the need to dominate.
I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood. Frowned at the sole candle. Something about the people mistaking her for a necromancer. She’d pitied Tamara and I. Said that we didn’t understand. Didn’t understand what?
Damn it.
I laced myself up, raked my fingers through my sweaty hair, then took up the candle. I briefly considered following her out to the family crypt, and quickly decided against it. Down to the foyer I’d go, to pray that Blind Fortuna was smiling at me and that I’d not need to go in search of Iris again.
Amongst the bones and bodies of her dead.
I took a steadying breath. Held it for a five count, and then stepped out into the dark hallway to fumble my way downstairs.
Chapter 9
Dusk was falling as we made our way across the docks to the Mermaid. Iris was back on the Bonegwayne, exhausted after her efforts in the crypt, and asleep in a hammock. My friends and I had debated the pros and cons of accepting Elsa’s offer until at last everyone conceded that we simply didn’t have a timely alternative. We’d bring her down into the ruins, lose her before hitting the White Suns, and then apologize when we returned and give her enough gold to end her complaints. Having reached that agreement, we’d waited for the sun to set, opting to remain onboard so as to avoid trouble.
And now the time had come. Activity was winding down across the length of the docks; the last of the ships to depart under the lampetramen’s guidance had faded into the fog that seemed to perpetually obscure the entrance to the bay. The last teams had laid off loading their ships, and sailors were now gladly streaming to the taverns and inns so as to burn off their pay.
Cerys stalked sullenly by my side, Netherys on the other, enveloped by a voluminous cloak that hid her true nature from any prying eyes. The others had opted to remain behind, though I’d debated the merits of bringing Pony for shock value. Nothing like a war troll to remind people that you held bigger cards than they did. But no. Discretion still had some value in Port Lusander.
The Mermaid was doing brisk business. A jaunty concertina tune filled the air and the windows were flung open, revealing the brightly lit interior and the crowded bar. A gaggle of sailors stood by the door, talking jovially with tankards of ale in hand. I slipped between them, made for the door, and stepped into the warmth within.
The fireplace was roaring, the main spot before it still claimed by the huge dog, and Matteo and two others were working behind the bar, pouring drinks, exchanging gibes with locals, and otherwise making sure the Mermaid turned a healthy profit.
At my entrance Matteo stiffened than raised a hand in greeting. I opted to leave him alone for now - perhaps he’d heard the good news, perhaps not, but either way I’d more pressing business. I glanced around, took in the booths, and saw that the furthest away held a likely suspect. A slender figure in a rich but worn sapphire cloak, the hood pulled down low, a glass of wine between her long fingers.
“At least she’s not going to make us wait,” said Cerys.
I led the way through the crowd and to the rear booth, where I slid in, Cerys moving in beside me, Netherys pulling up a chair so that she could sit facing us all, leaving Elsa alone on her side.
“Evening, Kellik, Cerys.” Elsa pushed back her hood just enough that we could see her eyes flash. “Glad you decided to come.”
“With an offer like yours? Hard to stay away.”
“That’s what I’d hoped.” Elsa looked curiously at Netherys. “Who is your friend?”
Before I could answer, Netherys leaned forward, her impossible elven grace making all of us humans appear cloddish in comparison. She took Elsa’s hand in her ashen own, and brought it to her lips within the cowl of her cloak. “Netherys of Aglorond, Mistress Beauhammer. I was most curious to make your acquaintance.”
Elsa stiffened with shock and jerked her hand back as if scalded. “A dark elf?” She glared at me, and I was relieved to see that even her sangfroid had its limits. “You can’t be serious.”
“Careful,” said Netherys, leaning back in her chair and crossing her legs. “Keep speaking like that and I’ll think you’re biased against my kind.”
“I am serious,” I said, working hard to keep my expression neutral. “Netherys is a friend of mine and trusted companion.” Maybe I was overstating things, but Elsa needn’t know that. “Why? Is there a problem?”
“A- a problem?” Elsa’s shock gave way to indignation. But then to my surprise she took a breath, placed both hands flat on the table as if steadying herself, and gave me a pained smile. “No. Of course not. You simply took me by surprise. A pleasure to meet you, Netherys of Aglorond.”
“Oh, she’s good,” Netherys said to me. “Look how quickly she regained her composure. Impressive. I’ll have to keep a close eye on you.”
Elsa’s smile broadened. “I’d like that. To business?”
“To business. We’ve decided to accept your offer. If you provide us with information that results in our being able to impress your father and thus gain a free license, you can join our team when we enter the ruins and earn an equal share of the spoils we discover within.”
“Excellent,” said Elsa. “Now that we’ve agreed to the basics, let’s talk particulars. In order to impress my father you’ll need to attend his celebratory ball. It’s being held on the night of the Nautical Equinox, and costumes and masks are de rigueur. No offense, Netherys, but it would be prudent for only humans to attend. My father is very old-fashioned.”
“No offense taken,” said the dark elf.
“I’ll introduce you to him, and then you will need to press for a private audience. I’ll ensure you get one, upon which you’ll produce what you’ve acquired. While he’s reeling, you ask him for his favor in the upcoming explorations, and he should prove only too grateful to give you the license.”
“And if he doesn’t?” asked Cerys. “If he’s grateful but only to a limited degree?”
“Nothing’s certain in this life but death,” said Elsa, and I thought immediately of Iris, of her candlelit bedroom, her gleaming alabaster body. “But I’m confident this will more than impress him. Especially if you seduce him a little beforehand, Cerys. You’ll have him eating out of your hand.”
“
Not something I look forward to,” said Cerys, “but I can make that work. Very well.”
“Excellent.” Elsa leaned forward. “Now, I need to reveal a little more about my desires in this matter.”
“You’re searching for something within the ruins,” said Netherys.
“I see why you have her in your employ,” said Elsa. “Kind of. I told you this venture was a gamble, but I hate playing bad odds. I mean to increase the chances of our striking it rich to near certainty.”
“I can get behind that,” I said. “What are you thinking?”
“The ruins are many levels deep, and the uppermost have already been explored with some degree of thoroughness by previous teams. I’ve interviewed enough survivors to have created what I believe to be an accurate map of the upper levels. I originally thought of using it to head straight down to the lowermost levels to ensure our chances of finding something worthwhile, but then realized the work had already been done for us. A group has already found and secured an area that is no doubt filled with incalculable wealth.”
“The White Suns,” I said.
“You’ve done your research. Yes. They’ve secured a large section of the fourth level. Part of our contract will stipulate we avoid it. All forbidden areas are marked off with sacred seals. However. Think about it. Whatever is in there must be both very dangerous and valuable if they’re expending so much effort to contain it.”
Elsa leaned forward so that her weight was resting on her forearm, and stabbed her finger into the table. “High risk, high reward. They’ll never expect an attack. We move in fast, we disarm them - or kill them, I’m not above that - and take whatever we find. We don’t need to worry about the other teams competing with us, and can be gone before anybody knows otherwise. We’ll need to have a boat ready to take us out immediately, arrange for an escort with the lampetramen - but it can be done.” Elsa sat back. Considered us all. “If you’ve the stomach for it.”
I looked over to Cerys and arched my brow. “Interesting.”
Netherys stirred, crossing one leg over the other. “Very interesting. You’re a dangerous young lady, Elsa Beauhammer, and I don’t say that lightly.”
“I don’t know if it’s meant as a compliment,” said Elsa, crossing her arms over her heavy cloak. “But I’ll take it as such. And. You don’t seem shocked.”
“Well, let’s not go that far,” I said. “I’m pretty shocked that such an upstanding young noblewoman as yourself would even dream of such a thing.”
“Ha,” said Elsa. “Spare me. No. There’s more going on here. You… huh. You were already planning to hit the White Suns.”
I considered denying it, but knew I’d not sound very convincing. That and Cerys’ hard expression would undercut my own protests.
Excitement quickened Elsa’s voice. “That really was your goal. By the Hanged God’s lust for life, that’s why you came here. But - why?” She searched my face, glanced at Cerys. “Do you know what they guard?”
“Perhaps we reached the same conclusions you did,” said Cerys.
Elsa licked her lower lip as she considered me. “Well, you’re certainly not a pious lot, not with Netherys amongst your number. Blind Fortuna’s clearly lifting me on the wheel - I couldn’t have asked for a better team to make this strike. I thought I was going to have to convince you to even consider it, but no.”
“I guess that makes me the answer to your prayers,” I said, unable to resist. “Now that we’ve tentatively become best friends and know enough about each other to ensure we’d be tortured to death in the name of the public good, why don’t you tell us this secret piece of information.”
A coy smile teased the corner of her lips, and a gold crown appeared between her fingers. She set it to rolling and dancing across her knuckles, back and forth as she spoke. “My father arrived in Port Lusander almost thirty years ago. His ship was part of a crusade against the Paruko. They ran afoul of a storm, and limped into the bay, intending to dock. My father, however, had a falling out with the lampetramen as they towed his ship through the coral maze; he spurned them, insisted on completing the arrival himself, and subsequently foundered his ship.”
“Unfortunate but perhaps not too surprising,” I said.
Elsa shrugged. “He and his men swam ashore as the ship sank into the bay. Most of their number survived, but they lost their goods, treasure, and private belongings. My father found himself stranded in Port Lusander, so, being a pragmatic man, claimed the abandoned castle as his own and proclaimed himself magistrate. Nobody objected.”
“Nobody objected?” Cerys arched a brow. “What of the previous ruler?”
“There was none,” said Elsa. “Port Lusander at that point was a very different city. The xanthan vine companies protected their own operations and ensured that their part of the docks remained orderly, but the rest was allowed to police itself. As a result, Lusander was a paradoxical city: half of it given to strict order, the other a lawless, piratical haven. As long as nobody interfered with corporate interests, the leaders of the companies were content to let Lusander burn.”
“And they welcomed your father?” I asked.
“They quickly reached an understanding. My father would impose order or do whatever he saw fit with the city as long as he didn’t interfere with their activities or seek to impose any taxes on them. They cordoned off their part of the docks, and have continued ever since to operate as a city apart. And - well. Port Lusander has benefited from my father’s oversight. He and his men protect the city from the occasional swamp goblin revolt when they’ve grown beyond the abilities of the companies to control, and arrest and execute anybody who does anything too out of line, like murder or arson. But for the most part they let everyone do what they will, as long as they don’t draw my father’s attention. It’s worked, more or less.”
“Hence Jessie’s low-level racketeering,” I said. “It doesn’t warrant your father’s attention, but she’s reluctant to make a play for more power.”
“Far from it,” said Elsa. “She is in effect part of the local government. He indirectly depends on her and others like her to keep things from needing his attention. But regardless. The point is that his ship went down in the bay thirty years ago, and with it his most prized possession. A locket containing a portrait of his first wife. Grief over her unnatural and apparently utterly hideous death was what led him to join the crusade. If you were to recover it, his gratitude would know no bounds.”
“A question,” said Netherys, voice silken and soft. “Why hasn’t he asked the lampetramen to dive down and secure it?”
“He loathes the lampetramen.” Elsa caused the gold coin to leap up, snatched it out of the air, and then opened her palm to show that it had disappeared. “He blames them for the shipwreck of his ship. He even tried to get rid of them shortly after he set himself in power, but rapidly realized how disastrous that policy was when they shut down all naval traffic. That was the first and only time the companies brought him to task, and he’s not tested them since. So, no, he won’t speak with them.”
“Then why don’t you?” asked Cerys. “You could have secured this locket years ago and used it to your advantage.”
“Because the lampetramen won’t dive down to the ship,” said Elsa. “I’ve asked. The bay is surprisingly broad and deep. The Hammer rests in the deepest part, right by the entrance to the coral maze, and - well. Apparently, right beside the home of something that terrifies the lampetramen. I’ve asked what it is, but they break off conversation if pressed. Some form of underwater monster, I’m sure.”
“Which we’d have to take care of,” I said.
Her smile was bleak. “Which you’d have to take care of. Hence, why this is worth a three thousand crown license. I didn’t say it would be easy.”
Netherys tapped her fingernails on the tabletop. “We’ll need water-breathing magic.”
“The lampetramen can help you with that,” said Elsa. “Their shamans can cast such spells easily,
though they rarely do so. You’ll need to convince one to assist you.”
I shifted uneasily in my seat. “What aren’t you telling us, Elsa?”
She spread her hands. “I swear by the White Sun that I’m telling you all I know. I began my investigations years ago. Originally, I wanted to get my hands on my father’s lost crusader treasure. But the lampetramen refused to dive down, and the one time I trusted someone to help they betrayed me and took the treasure for themselves. Bastard. I’ve tried other means of escape, such as investing my limited wealth in Jessie’s trading ventures, but you’ve already heard how that turned out. I’m desperate.”
“Wait. Your friend took the treasure?” I tried to hide my disappointment.
“Yes. A mage out of Olandipolis. What can I say? I was young, naive, and desperate. But now things are different.”
“And you know what we want,” I said.
“Yes. I’m sure there are other valuables down there, but nothing that equals a three thousand gold crown license from my father.”
I tapped my fingers on the table. Considered. “Fine. So we approach the lampetramen, get them to cast spells that allow us to dive down, retrieve this locket, then you present Cerys to your father at the ball once the last license is sold. She impresses him, earns his discretionary license, we all go into the ruins, strike at the White Suns, take whatever they’re guarding, and then get away. Does that sound right?”
“Simple,” said Elsa with a winning smile.
“We’ll need to work on the get-away part,” said Cerys. “Maestria won’t burn another port for us.”
“Agreed. Netherys?”
“Simple,” said the dark elf, a hint of mockery to her voice. “What could go wrong?”
“Then it’s settled,” said Elsa. “I have reason to believe the remaining license will go within the next day or so - a team from Port Gloom has indicated they’re serious about making the purchase. That leaves you two days before my father’s ball, where he’s intending to give away his last license. Can I count on you?”