The Emperor's Guard

by Kevin Hopson

  Cedrik said nothing, Reece’s words clearly weighing on him. Reece lowered a hand, loosening a sack along his belt. He grasped something inside and brought his fist up to the table. Reece unclenched his fingers, revealing the contents.

  “What’s this?” Cedrik said.

  “For your troubles.” Reece slid several coins from his palm. There was a clanging of metal until they came to a rest on the tabletop.

  Cedrik deliberated, his eyes staring vehemently at the coins. “Very well.” He eased the chair back and stood. “How about a drink? Something to smooth over the deal.”

  Reece shook his head. “I appreciate it, but I’ve had my fill this evening. Plus, I have an early start in the morning.”

  “Where are you headed?”

  “Hantou Pond.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  Upon first glance, Nesta assumed it was a house, but she was sorely mistaken. When the woman closed the door behind her, Nesta saw only a bare room and a stairwell.

  “What is this place?” Nesta asked.

  “It’s the entrance to an old dungeon,” the woman replied, holding a lantern. “The town used to imprison people here many years ago.” She spun around and began to walk. “Follow me.”

  Nesta hesitated. She continued to have second thoughts about Owin, but going back could prove reckless. If he was infected, nothing could be done for him. Confronting several members of the White Wolves and, worse yet, a deadly disease didn’t much appeal to her.

  She obliged, and the woman guided her down the steps to a basement. They made their way through a long corridor and down another set of steps. The air was heavy. Chilly. Damp. And mold spores tickled Nesta’s nose, nearly causing her to sneeze.

  “Where are you taking me?” Nesta said.

  The woman didn’t bother turning. She kept on trekking. “My house.”

  “Are we still in Granmore?”

  “Yes. Only underneath it. For now.”

  Nesta pursed her lips and carried on. A few minutes later, after climbing a set of stairs, she found herself in another enclosed room. No windows. No light other than the lantern. Just brick walls. The woman pressed one of the bricks, and part of the wall slid away.

  Light poured through the opening, much more than what the lantern provided. The woman stood to the side and faced her, allowing Nesta to go first. When she stepped into the room, it was filled with candles, all of them lit. And a fire crackled in the far side of the room. It was a cozy space with a large work desk and leather-upholstered chairs.

  Nesta stopped and waited. The woman followed her inside and put a hand to one of the bricks, the secret door sliding shut again.

  “Please make yourself comfortable,” the woman said.

  Nesta wasn’t sure what to do, so she perused the room, inspecting it with a curious eye. She noticed several parchments spread out on the desk, a quail feather resting in a bottle of ink nearby. Nesta took a closer look.

  “These look like maps,” she said.

  “They are. I’m a cartographer.”

  “A mapmaker?”

  “That’s one term people use.”

  Nesta nodded. “You’re taking quite a risk with all of the candles. You ever worry about your work burning?”

  The woman shrugged. “I only do it to keep busy. And sometimes to earn money from people in need of a map. I have every detail stored in my head.”

  “Impressive. Not only the quality of the maps but your memory as well.”

  “Thank you.” She glimpsed Nesta. “My apologies. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Leyla.”

  Nesta examined her now that she had the luxury of time. Leyla had a full face and short, dark hair, her skin a light shade of brown.

  “I’m Nesta.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Nesta. You’re welcome to stay the night. Even longer, if you desire.”

  “I appreciate that, but I’ll be leaving in the morning. At first light.”

  “Where to?”

  “Outbron Woods.”

  “What’s there?”

  “A man I plan to kill.”

  # # #

  Asgall stood atop the tower, looking out over the sprawling city. Candles. Gas lamps. Lanterns. Torches. Even small bonfires. All of them caused Southwallow to glow. The waning crescent of the moon, as well as the distant stars, only added to the city’s radiance, Asgall detecting a faint outline of Niverborg Forest off to the west.

  A squeaking of hinges forced him to look away, the tower door ajar as he gawked in that direction. Caitlyn emerged from the shadows, and Asgall offered a smile as she approached.

  “Good evening, Caitlyn,” he said.

  She neared, her face more apparent as she came into the light. Her eyes were wide, her mouth agape, and her chest rising and falling in rapid succession.

  “It’s quite a climb,” Asgall said. “Those stairs,” he clarified. When her expression didn’t change, he parted his lips again. “Is everything okay?”

  “My apologies for interrupting, Commander,” she sputtered.

  “It’s not a problem. I was about to head down. Catch a few hours of sleep until my next watch. But I’m happy to offer my assistance if you need it.”

  She nodded. “I considered coming to you later, but I feel this can’t wait until morning.”

  “What is it?”

  “That man, Reece.”

  “What about him?”

  “I did my rounds of the city, eventually making my way back to Sluhed Corner. I saw him come out of the tavern a little while ago.”

  Asgall took a step forward. “He didn’t try to hurt you, did he?”

  Caitlyn shook her head. “No, sir. He didn’t even see me.”

  The Commander eased. “What happened then?”

  “I followed him.”

  Asgall exhaled. “I thought you were going to leave this alone.”

  “I was, sir, but I had a bad feeling about him.”

  Asgall could understand. Sometimes a person’s instinct kicked in, and it proved to be right more times than not. “Okay.”

  “He visited a man’s house. I didn’t catch his name, but I eavesdropped outside.”

  “And you overheard something interesting, which is why you’re here?”

  She bobbed her head. “Yes, sir. He’s procured something. Something extremely dangerous.” Asgall waited for her to elaborate. “A vial of plague powder.”

  He definitely hadn’t anticipated those last few words. Asgall was aware that a variety of nasty concoctions could be purchased on the black market. He’d heard rumors of plague powder coming into supply, but he’d never seen it in person, nor did he care to. Asgall wasn’t even confident it existed. “Does he have it in his possession?”

  “I’m not certain. I only know that he’s heading to Hantou Pond tomorrow.”

  “For what?”

  Caitlyn shrugged. “Perhaps to complete the deal.” She paused. “And he has a buyer lined up. He said it’s someone close to the Emperor.”

  # # #

  A rustling of parchment woke Nesta. She’d slept by the fire, the hearth warming her bones and offering a few hours of much-needed sleep. Her back ached from the unforgiving floor, though, and she stretched her arms over her head as she glimpsed Leyla.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  Leyla turned from her desk to look. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  That reminded Nesta. She sprang up from the floor. “What time is it?”

  “You needn’t worry. It isn’t sunup yet. But it will be soon, which is why I’m going through these maps.”

  “What are you looking for?”

  “A map of Outbron Woods.”

  Nesta opened her mouth to yawn, holding that pose for several seconds. “I appreciate the gest
ure, but I can find my way around.”

  “So can I, but I thought we could bring it with us. You can never be too careful.”

  “We?”

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I was planning to come, too.”

  “Need I remind you of my reason for going there?”

  “No. I remember.”

  Nesta let out a breath. “You don’t even know me. I told you I’m going there to kill a man, and that doesn’t bother you?”

  Leyla shook her head and focused on the desk again, searching frantically for the map.

  “I don’t understand,” Nesta continued. “If I’m capable of killing someone, I could just as easily bring harm to you.”

  She shrugged. “My hunch tells me otherwise. I’m good with hunches. Just like maps.”

  Nesta rolled her eyes. “I have a history. A troubled history. I doubt you’ll want to keep company with me.”

  “You might be surprised. I don’t get many visitors.”

  “This is ludicrous.”

  “I know discrete ways to get out of Granmore. If you’re trying to avoid certain people, that is. And I know shortcuts to Outbron Woods. Even Hantou Pond.”

  Nesta didn’t care to debate it any longer. “You’re sure about this?”

  “Of course. It will be fun.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  So much for sleep. Ever since his conversation with Caitlyn, Asgall couldn’t put Reece Owens out of his mind. He considered sending a few members of the Guard to apprehend Reece, but if he wasn’t in possession of the plague powder, it would prove pointless. In order to gain peace of mind, Asgall had to be certain of its whereabouts. If it wasn’t in the Commander’s hands, it was in the wrong hands. That was Asgall’s mentality, at least.

  Asgall sat along the edge of the cot, gathering several of his belongings. Each member of the Guard slept in the barracks, which were housed on the first floor of the Palace. It allowed them to stay close to the Emperor and be ready for action whenever the time came.

  “You’re going, sir?” Caitlyn said.

  Asgall nodded. “I’m leaving Colum in charge.”

  “And what about the Emperor?”

  “He’s sleeping. I didn’t want to wake him. There’s no time to spare, anyway. It’s sunrise, and I have to leave now if I’m going to make it to Hantou Pond in time.”

  “Who is this Reece guy, anyway?”

  “Reece Owens.”

  “Owens.” Caitlyn’s brows tightened. “Why does that name ring a bell?”

  “Because he’s the son of Niclas Owens. The Emperor’s doctor.” Caitlyn just gawked at him. “They had a falling out a few years ago. Ever since Reece washed out of the Guard. I don’t think they even speak to one another anymore.”

  “And you’re going alone?”

  “I can be more discreet that way. I’d rather not alert him to my presence.”

  “I’m pretty inconspicuous myself.”

  Asgall managed a grin. “Don’t even think about it.”

  “Why not, sir?” He pursed his lips. “I realize I lack the experience of the rest of the Guard, but I took an oath to protect the Emperor. My job, for the time being at least, is to patrol the city for scallywags, but if Southwallow ever came under attack, I would be called on to fight. Regardless of my age or rank. If I’m willing to put myself in harm’s way to defend the city and the Emperor, how would this be any different, sir?”

  She made a good point, and Asgall didn’t have time to debate. Still, he could have ordered Caitlyn to stay behind, putting an end to the conversation once and for all.

  “You really want to go?” he said.

  “Of course.”

  Asgall exhaled. “Fine. But we’re leaving now.”

  # # #

  Leyla located the map before they left, choosing to bring it with her, but she’d yet to remove the parchment from her backpack. There was no need to. Leyla was the closest thing to a human compass, and she and Nesta had already hit the edge of Outbron Woods with the sun barely above the horizon.

  Prior to that, Leyla had guided Nesta through an underground labyrinth of staircases, passageways, and hidden doors, the two of them using an abandoned mine to reach the surface well outside of Granmore.

  And Leyla’s memory was nothing short of amazing.

  “There should be an old bear trap about two-hundred yards ahead,” she said on one occasion. “It will be next to a large oak tree.”

  Nesta was dumbfounded when Leyla’s foresight proved correct. Time after time.

  “How much farther to Hantou Pond?” she stopped to ask.

  “Only a few miles,” Leyla replied. “We should be there well before your gentleman friend arrives.”

  “I wouldn’t call him a gentleman. Or a friend.”

  “Hence your reason for wanting to kill him?” Leyla smiled.

  Nesta would admit that Leyla possessed a strange sense of humor, but she found the woman’s care-free attitude to be refreshing.

  “Something like that,” Nesta finally said. “Anyway, I think we’ve earned a break.”

  Leyla nodded, and Nesta reached for the waterskin along her belt. She grasped the goat hide, removed the cap, and raised the container to her lips, taking a few sips from it. Then she surveyed her surroundings.

  It was the middle of winter, and most of the trees in Outbron Woods were deciduous, so there wasn’t much of a forest canopy. However, she did spot a few evergreens here and there, which provided some much-needed color in an otherwise depressing landscape.

  “You’re a traitor,” Leyla said.

  Nesta nearly choked on her water. “Excuse me.”

  “The mark on your neck,” Leyla clarified.

  Nesta bobbed her head. “Right. Sometimes I forget it’s there.”

  “I noticed it last night.”

  “And it didn’t scare you?”

  “I figure you have your reasons.”

  “We all have reasons for doing things, but it doesn’t mean they’re justified.”

  “True, but I have a hunch with you.”

  “So you’ve said.”

  Leyla grinned.

  You’re definitely a strange one.

  “I thought I was doing the right thing at the time,” Nesta confessed.

  “And now?”

  “I know I was wrong.”

  “Then you’ve changed, which only supports my intuition.”

  # # #

  Nesta and Leyla laid along the hard ground, concealing themselves behind a fallen oak tree. The pond was small, and the surrounding trees were bare, so there wasn’t much in the way of cover. They’d been there maybe an hour, if Nesta had to wager a guess, and the sun wasn’t directly overhead yet, which meant more waiting ensued.

  “This man,” Leyla said. “Reece Owens. He obviously wronged you.”

  Nesta didn’t turn to Leyla. Instead, she peeked over the top of the tree trunk as she spoke. “It’s more than that.”

  “We have plenty of time if you’d care to elaborate.”

  Leyla was right. It could be another hour before Reece showed up. Nesta didn’t owe Leyla an explanation, but she felt compelled to offer something in return for her assistance. Though Leyla’s actions were driven by choice and not by Nesta’s request, the woman had helped navigate their way, and wonderfully so. That was obviously worth something.

  “His plans have widespread repercussions. My friend, a man I left behind in Granmore, is probably dying as I speak. In large part due to him. But if Reece gets his hands on the plague powder, Southwallow could be next.”

  Nesta glanced at Leyla this time. If the mention of plague powder had any impact on her, she certainly didn’t show it. Leyla was as calm as she was blithe.

  “So an eye for an eye?” Leyla said. Nesta didn’t reply. “Why
not capture him? Force him to face justice?”

  “That’s not how I work. Not anymore.”

  Leyla nodded. And that grin of hers returned.

  # # #

  Reece squatted behind the trunk of a cypress tree, the pond maybe a hundred yards away. He’d been there for hours, having set out before first light. Reece napped most of the morning since arriving, waking only moments ago. But it didn’t help squash his fears that something could be wrong. Griff was nowhere in sight. Then again, Reece hadn’t really expected the man to show so early.

  A rustling of leaves forced Reece to turn his head. He detected movement off to his left. A robin foraged along the forest floor, quickly taking flight. Reece took a breath and eased. But a snapping of wood from behind caused him to take pause. Reece spun around, his eyes widening at the sight in front of him.

  # # #

  Asgall took a knee next to Caitlyn, the two of them huddled behind a spruce tree. There was a clearing ahead, two-hundred yards from where they were positioned, and Asgall could already see the surface of the water.

  “Looks like Hantou Pond,” he whispered.

  “Should we get closer?” Caitlyn murmured.

  Asgall shook his head. “If we got too close, there won’t be much cover. We have a good view from here.” He mulled it over, then spoke again. “If I remember correctly, you’re one of our fastest runners.”

  She smiled. “I like to think so, sir.”

  He nodded. “Good. Then we should be fine here.”

  # # #

  “Who’s that?” Leyla asked.

  Nesta had her head turned away from Leyla, glancing to the right. When she rotated to look, Nesta immediately spotted the figure. She could only see the person from behind, the hood of a cloak covering their head. They emerged from the far side of the pond, moving swiftly through the forest and heading in the opposite direction from where Nesta and Leyla were situated.

  “Stay here,” Nesta demanded.

  She took off running, traveling parallel to the water. When Nesta reached the edge of the pond, she had to veer left to pursue them. Her boots dug into the earth as she maneuvered up a small incline and past some maple trees. The person wasn’t necessarily fast, but they had a substantial head start, and Nesta found it difficult to close the gap.