...
Captain Brookes rubbed his temples as he read the monthly report. He hated it. Every time he got to the end of another month, another month closer to his impending retirement, the clerks would insist on piling documents on his desk, setting out Golrog’s dispatching of the king’s guards over the previous month, along with inventory reports, disciplinary reports, and reports on who sneezed which day of the week. It was no surprise the King of Vaton needed to keep collecting tax money so often, as he had an army of clerks across the land writing every buggering thing down on paper.
It was an interminable job, made worse by a huge report detailing the latest raid on the king’s tax collectors by that hideous creature, Rogue. Why he insisted on picking on Middle Vaton, the captain would never know, but he was incessant.
Every couple of weeks, somewhere on the road from the outer villages and towns of Vaton, Rogue would strike. A tax collector would be either killed—no great loss in Brookes’ eyes, as most of them were po-faced scoundrels who lined their own pockets as well as the king’s—or would need to outfit himself with fresh underwear after being accosted by Rogue.
Although it was his sworn duty to try and capture the man, he made, in reality, little in the way of effort to do so, and had even less desire to ever come face-to-face with him. His reputation was that of a brutal and vicious killer with no qualms about murdering anyone to do with any of the Vaton kings. Captain Brookes had a very clear rule when it came to wild animals and men like Rogue: don’t poke the bear and the bear won’t poke you.
He was deep into a report describing the problem of a lack of public washing facilities in Golrog, and wondering if the clerk had any knowledge of how often hardened mercenaries washed their underwear, when he heard the door squeak as it opened slowly. He closed his eyes and wished the next three months would pass quickly so he could retire to the small plot of land he hoped to see out his days on.
“If this is more reports, just put them on the pile and bugger off,” he said, pointing at the huge pile of papers weighing down one side of his desk.
“No, no reports, Captain.”
He looked up and into the cold eyes of a killer. A chill went through his body.
“You’re Rogue.”
“I am indeed, Captain, and you’re Captain Brookes, owner of a small parcel of land just outside of town on which you hope to retire. I took a look at it. It looks like good land. Your wife was very busy.”
Knowing that Rogue knew where he lived and had seen his wife filled Brookes with terror. If any other man had been in front of him, he would have been angry, but this was Rogue.
“What do you want? I have no money here.” Brookes couldn’t help himself trembling and his voice trembled with him.
“I come to offer the kings of Vaton a truce.”
“A truce?”
“Indeed. I tire of attacking their evil tax collectors, so I have come to offer them a deal.”
Captain Brookes looked down at his desk nervously. Ever since King Horace Leach had stepped down and broke his kingdom into three, so each of his sons could claim a throne there had been bickering between the brothers. King Horace’s decision had prevented the three brothers from becoming enemies vying for a single throne, but it wasn’t without problems. Golrog was part of Middle Vaton, the kingdom of Mikel Leach, the oldest of the three brothers. “King Mikel may agree to your terms, but I can’t speak for the others. To speak frankly, the three kings of Vaton don’t agree on much.”
“If King Mikel leaves me and Riverside alone, I will stop my attacks on Middle Vaton. If he decides to attack me or Riverside in any way, I will quadruple my efforts to deprive his sickly kingdom of the money it needs and will make it my aim to kill him. If the others decide they can’t agree to my terms, I’ll take it up with them directly. Just make sure my words reach all three kings.”
“And if he says no?”
“I think you know the answer to that question.”
Brookes did, and he had no desire to question Rogue any more than he had to.
“How would King Mikel, or his brothers, know you won’t just carry on and blame it on others?”
“Because,” Rogue said as he stepped forward and leaned on Brookes’ desk, “I give him my word.”
“I’ll pass on the message.”
“I’m grateful. Take care, Captain Brookes.”
Captain Brookes’ nerves were starting to fray. He wanted Rogue out of his office as soon as possible, but at the same time feared offending the man. “I will. Where are you going now?”
“That is for me to know, but at least I know where I can find you to make sure the message is sent. Hopefully that won’t be necessary.”
Brookes shook his head rapidly. He hoped not too.
Rogue walked back out the doorway and for a moment Brookes wondered if he had actually fallen asleep with boredom and dreamed the encounter, but the puddle at his feet suggested not.
...
Within thirty minutes Rogue watched a dispatch rider leave the barracks at top speed. He hoped he’d done enough to protect Zeke and Riverside.
17
Raiya
Evermeir, the capital city of the kingdom of Deytar, was the easternmost port city in all of Mara. It was also the farthest from the kingdoms of Vaton, but to sail all the way to Vaton would add days to the journey. After studying Captain Burton’s maps of Mara, Raiya had decided that if Mendris Fox had issues with the royal families of Vaton, he was likely hiding out across the border in either Western Deytar, Northern Chambia, or even Western Mure. However, strategically, Western Deytar and Northern Chambia made far more sense than Mure. With this in mind, she would start her search in Evermeir and work her way west and then south into Chambia. She suspected the closer she got to Vaton the more she’d learn, but her journey had to start somewhere, and Evermeir was as good as place as any.
“Go to the Kicking Horse Inn and speak to the bartender there, a man named Bones. Tell him I sent you. He’ll get you pointed in the right direction,” Captain Burton said as she prepared to leave the ship.
“Thank you, Captain Burton. Your help will not be forgotten.”
Captain Burton grabbed Raiya’s arm. “Do not fail in your mission. There are dark days ahead. With the return of dragons, there will be turmoil and bloodshed. King Dehalle is only the beginning of Oshva’s problems. Your reasons for finding Mendris Fox may be personal, but all of Oshva will need him.” Captain Burton paused for a moment before continuing. “I would not use Mendris’s name during your search. Who knows what alias he is traveling under, and I suspect his description will be more than enough. There aren’t many men like Mendris Fox.”
Raiya frowned. How did Captain Burton know that her reasons for finding Mendris were personal? Was she that transparent? Or was she not being honest with herself when she said she was doing it for everyone else? More disturbing was the idea that all of Oshva needed him. What was worse than the enslavement of her people under King Dehalle? “What is coming? Why do we need Mendris?”
Captain Burton shook his head. “This isn’t the time to worry about what is coming. This is the time to worry about retrieving Mendris, if he is to be found. He has been living in hostile territory for years. Finding him may prove to be difficult, although I suspect my friend Bones will know much about your friend. It is time for you to go. From here I sail to Droll and Partha. I will put the word out for all the shadow warriors who’ve ever left Oshva that now is the time for them to return home. Hundreds of shadow warriors have left Oshva over the years to wage wars, but now the war comes home to Oshva, and I fear only a handful will return to aid you, but I will do what I can to find more.”
Raiya still didn’t know exactly what Captain Burton was hinting at, but any shadow warriors he found abroad would be a blessing in the coming fight against King Dehalle. “May the wind fill your sails and the seas provide you with their bounty and blessing.”
Captain Burton nodded. “May the sun lead y
ou to destiny, and the stars watch over you at night.”
Having given the traditional traveler’s farewell, Raiya departed the ship. She wasted little time making her way towards the Kicking Horse Inn.
...
The Kicking Horse Inn was not what Raiya expected. She’d assumed that a sailor like Captain Burton would have all sorts of contacts along the waterfront, including the dive bars and inns that catered to sailors. However, the Kicking Horse Inn was on the opposite side of the city and was a roadhouse for travelers heading inland.
Walking up the bar, Raiya spotted a tall, gaunt-looking bald man. If anyone deserved the nickname “Bones” it was him. She approached him. “I’m looking for a man named Bones. Captain Burton sent me.”
The tall bartender barely acknowledged her. He pointed to one of the booths along the back wall. “Have a seat. Someone will be with you in a minute.” The tall bartender then walked into a back room, leaving Raiya alone at the bar.
Following the bartender’s suggestion, Raiya sat at one of the back booths. It was a good seat. Her back was to the wall and she could see the front entrance, yet it was dark enough in the corner that no one would be able to see her without being extremely obvious about it. With her traveling clothes, a dark green hooded jacket and gray leggings, she blended well into the shadows, something every shadow warrior was a master of doing.
A short portly man brought a pair of plates of food and mugs of ale to her table. He placed one of the plates and mugs in front of her and the rest across the table from her. He sat down and picked up a drumstick, taking a bite before saying anything. “Captain Burton’s first mate. Describe him for me.”
Raiya leaned forward. “Tall, bald with a goofy grin. Actually, looks a lot like your bartender.”
The man nodded. “That is an accurate description of Karan.”
“Johan. Captain Burton’s first mate is Johan.”
The man smiled this time. “Excellent. So you are who you say you are. I’m Bones. What can I do for you?”
“I’m looking for a man,” Raiya said.
“We have all sorts of men in Evermeir. You’ll have to be more specific.”
Raiya glanced around, but there was no one within earshot. “A man originally from Oshva, tall dark hair, dark eyes. The type of man that trouble seems to find.”
Bones ate some more of his meal. He seemed oblivious to anything but his food, but then he looked up at Raiya. “This man, he had been in Mara for a while?”
Raiya nodded.
“And he perhaps was from the Paulan province?”
Again, Raiya nodded.
“I think I know who you are looking for, but this one you don’t want to find. Any time trouble finds him he walks away unscathed, but others not so much. He’s an angry man.”
“I’ve nothing to fear from him,” Raiya said.
“This is good, because many people have tried to find him. None return. He’s a bit of a legend here. Those of us who know who the Shadow Brigade were know all too well what the man is capable of, but for some reason, he doesn’t use his magic anymore. It makes people forget what powers you shadow warriors have.”
“You know about the Shadow Brigade?”
Bones laughed softly. “Anyone that lived in Deytar during the war knew about the Shadow Brigade. They were like demons, destroying everything in their paths and then disappearing into the night. An entire country lived in fear of them, but they weren’t the monsters some made them out to be. There were lies spread during the war about them killing women and children, but anyone from Oshva knows the truth of that. The King of Vaton did have warriors that carried out campaigns of fear, and they committed unspeakable atrocities, but that wasn’t the Shadow Brigade. And then the war ended and the Shadow Brigade, or those who remained of it after their betrayal, returned to Oshva. All except one. That one stayed and the only time he is heard of is when he’s attacked someone in Vaton, usually king’s guard or tax men. He seems to take great satisfaction from robbing the king. But less and less have we heard of him in the last few years. Perhaps his anger is dying off.”
“Where can I find him?”
Bones finished his plate of food. “I would search along the border between Vaton and Deytar. There are several small towns that might be of interest.”
“Any in particular?” Raiya asked.
Bones looked at her plate. “Are you going to finish that?”
She shook her head and pushed the plate across the table. Bones eagerly accepted the plate and started eating. After a few more mouthfuls, he spoke. “Riverside. There have been rumors that the king sent his best man there recently. Riverside isn’t big enough or important enough to send anyone of importance to, let alone your most trusted man. Someone important is in Riverside.”
Raiya frowned. “That’s a pretty flimsy reason to start there.”
Bones nodded. “Perhaps, but I’ve had my suspicions that your friend lives near there. Little stories here and there. The recent rumors only strengthen my speculation.”
“Okay. Riverside it is.”
“There is something else you should know,” Bones said before stuffing another large forkful of food into his mouth.
Raiya patiently waited for him to chew. She found Bones’ eating habits annoying, but at least the man finished chewing before speaking.
“You aren’t the only one that’s been asking around about your friend.” Bones wiped his face clean with a napkin. “Cam Dias has been asking questions about your friend.”
“And who is this Cam Dias?”
“An assassin for hire. If he’s asking around about your friend, it is likely that someone very important wants him dead. Cam Dias associates with a crowd that could be dangerous, even to someone like your friend.”
Raiya sighed. Of course there had to be complications like king’s men and assassins. “Can you describe this Cam Dias to me?”
“Slight of build, short brown hair, scar over his left eye, and he walks with a slight limp, but the limp is mostly for show. He moves just fine in a fight. He also prefers poisoned daggers. If you were wanting to find him, I suggest you be a little less discreet in your inquiries. He’ll find you.”
Raiya grinned. “Perhaps I shall do that.” She stood up to leave. “Do I owe you anything for the information?”
“Normally, I’d take a gold coin for my troubles. However, there is a lot of intrigue happening in Deytar these days, and my gut tells me your friend is more involved than anyone suspects. If this is true, it doesn’t hurt me to help a friend of his.” Bones stood and shook her hand. “One last thing. The man you are looking for, I believe the name you are looking for is Rogue.”
18
Rogue
Hopeful that his words, brief as they had been, would at the least buy some time for Riverside and fend off any attack until Isaac could put people in place to watch over the town, Rogue set off back to the Grant estate. He needed to get back there and prepare Elizabeth and Jasmin for what could be a tough journey.
His hopes for a quick and uneventful return to Riverside were dashed on the mountain road no more than a mile outside of Golrog.
As he topped a rise in the road, two mercenaries stood side by side on the road where it narrowed between two rocky outcrops. He recognized one of the men from Golrog. He had been sitting in the same café he had talked to Isaac in.
He continued riding slowly until he was no more than ten feet away, then stopped, not wishing to get close enough for them to harm the horse.
No sooner had he stopped than he heard the skitter of stones from the outcrops as he was quickly surrounded by another ten men. He knew there was a bounty on his head set by the king of Vaton, but even at the level it was, sharing it between twelve hardly made it worth getting out of bed for any self-respecting mercenary.
Without speaking, he slowly reached down and pulled a small vial of clear liquid out of his belt, flipped off the cork, and drank the potion back.
“Thirsty, o
ld man?” one of the two leaders said with the customary intellect of the average mercenary. If he had known the potion came from Zeke and the effect it was currently having on Rogue’s speed, reflexes, and unfortunately for them, his aggression levels, they would have turned and run and hoped to the gods he wouldn’t hunt them down for the cowardly dogs they were.
“Always,” Rogue said calmly. “What can I do for you this fine day, gentlemen?”
“I think you know, Rogue.”
He could smell the alcohol on the man’s breath from his saddle.
“I see you know my name. Do you not fear my reputation?”
The man laughed. “Old wives’ tales, we reckon. Stories to scare the bairns at bedtime.”
“Really?”
“Of course,” a voice said loudly from behind him. “No man could do half the things it is said you have done.”
“Well, I assure you they are all true. If you don’t want to be pushing up daisies come the spring, I suggest you get out of the way and let me pass.”
What sounded like all twelve of them laughed at that.
“Very well. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Now I’m going to get off my horse. You two let him pass. Touch him and it will be the last thing you do.”
Rogue dismounted and patted the roan’s neck.
“Wait for me along the road.” He patted the horse’s rump and it clopped toward the two men. They both stood aside, but that didn’t stop the roan taking a bite at one of them on its way past.
Rogue shook out his arms and pulled out a dagger, long and viciously curved, from his belt. “Right, then, who’s first? Or is it all of you at once?”
At a signal from one of the men, they all charged at him, yelling and screaming profanities. Rogue put his knife between his teeth and with one rapid movement pulled two smoke bombs from his belt, throwing one to either side, immediately filling the area with thick, dense, foul-smelling smoke.
The plan had obviously been to simply overwhelm Rogue with numbers, but the lack of visibility switched the advantage to Rogue. Everyone who stumbled coughing out of the smoke he knew was an enemy, and he proceeded to cut them down with short sharp upward blows of his dagger, either straight into their flabby bellies or up through the throat, destroying their brains and putting a merciful end to their rampant stupidity. He absorbed several smashes to the face and cuts to his torso as the men flailed around haphazardly in the smoke, but he gave far more than he received.
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