Erosan's Tears

by Jason Scott Gleason

  When Raelyn turned back to Genevar, she wasn’t smiling. “Can I get you something to drink?” she asked, walking to a small bar against the wall.

  “Water, thank you,” he replied. He couldn’t afford anything that might dull his reflexes, but he was desperately thirsty.

  Genevar poured herself a glass of brandy and Raelyn a glass of water. When she handed it to him, he thanked her again. She drank the brandy in a couple of gulps, then looked at Raelyn. “It has been a most stressful day,” she said, smiling again. She looked tired.

  “What’s going on?” he asked. Something about her always set him at ease. He liked Genevar, and had trusted her for a long time, but now he wondered if he could.

  “Karduk is tightening down on his operations. Ever since the minions of every hell broke loose in the Coscan District, his agents have been in and out of here, making their presence felt. Word on the Promenade is that they’ve been doing the same thing throughout the district, every place that pays them for protection. There’s a war being waged under everyone’s chins, and I’m trying to make sure my girls don’t end up as casualties. Everyone but Ourette and myself are sent to Weddleton, until the unrest quiets.”

  Raelyn nodded, glad to know that Callais was safe. “If Corlwyn gets his way, both Karduk and Gray will end up with their heads on a block. Even if that doesn’t happen, Karduk’s men won’t be able to set foot outside of the Coscan District after these riots are crushed.”

  “Karduk knows that,” Genevar replied. “That’s why he keeps coming around. He is trying to pressure us for money before he gets locked out of the district. And I cannot afford to make an enemy out of him, in case he comes back. It might be a few months or a couple of years, but if he’s still alive, he’ll get revenge for everyone who sold him to the dogs.” The last was an Orevanthar idiom, which amused Raelyn. She refilled her glass, took another swallow. “That’s one of the reasons I invited you here, Raelyn. I wanted to ask for your help.”

  Raelyn laughed, but not without some bitterness. “To be honest with you, I’m not sure I’m in a position to help you. I’m as much in the thick of things as you are. Karduk’s men have already roughed me up, and I’d bet that since then they’ve been told to kill me if they get the chance. Now I’m going after Gray, the most enigmatic and ruthless killer in the city, and I’m going to pit myself against his coterie as well. Who knows if I’ll make it out alive.”

  Genevar’s mouth was a thin line. “I’ve already hired a few people, private muscle, but I don’t know who I can trust. I know I can trust you, which is why I ask. You’re one of the few men in the city whose loyalty can’t be bought.” Raelyn winced a little at this, thinking about the platinum Lord Elotarn had given him. “Besides, I know you would never betray Callais.”

  Callais, he thought. There was a hole in his chest where her name was. I don’t even know what to do about her. But Genevar’s right. I wouldn’t betray Callais.

  “Genevar, I promise you this: if I have the ability to help you in any way, I will. I’ll do whatever I can to protect you and your girls. I can’t stay here to keep you safe, but I’ll try to get someone who can.” He thought for a moment, thought about who he could trust. “Do you know Jethu of Holdwood? He’s the Captain of Lord Perinor’s guard.”

  Genevar nodded. “I believe I’ve seen him with Lord Perinor. He’s the large one, right?”

  “That’s him,” Raelyn said. “He had two men, Borin and Shandan. All four of us served under Lord Perinor together, in the Knaves. The two of them are as fine of soldiers as I’ve ever seen. They just left Lord Perinor’s service a few months ago, but I’m sure Jethu can get in touch with them both. If I can, I’ll send them your way. If something happens to me, talk to Jethu and he’ll tell you where to find them.” He cursed himself for not seeing them so often. If I had been a better friend, I could have told her where to find them.

  “Thank you, Raelyn,” she said. “I knew that I could rely on you.”

  Raelyn finished his water and walked over to the bar, pouring himself another glass from the pitcher. “So Gray’s man is coming here?” he asked. She nodded. “Does he know I’ll be here?”

  “I’ve not had the chance to tell him,” Genevar replied. “He and I set up this meeting a few days ago.” She paused for a moment, then fixed her gaze on Raelyn. “What do you want to meet him about?”

  Raelyn thought for a moment, wondering how much to trust Genevar. I did ask her for a favor. If she’s planning on throwing her lot in with Gray, she ought to know the kind of person she’s dealing with.

  “You know the murders that have touched these riots off?” he asked. Genevar nodded. “Gray’s behind them. He’s trying to take over Karduk’s operations in the Arena District, force him out. If he gets his way, Karduk and his men will get caught up in the suppression of the rebellion. The High Lords will have no choice but to crack down on Karduk, and everywhere outside of the Coscan District and the docks will be ripe for the picking.”

  Genevar took another swallow of brandy. “Seems like a big risk,” she remarked. “Does the Council know about this?”

  “Yeah, and Corlwyn, too. I’ve been investigating these murders. Now we’ve figured out who’s behind them, but we have no idea who he is. They’re counting on me to figure it out. My only hope is to find someone in his circle, convince him to set up an audience with Gray.”

  “You’re not planning on treating my guest with anything but respect, are you?” Genevar seemed a little suspicious. “He’s a personal friend of mine. I would be quite upset if something happened to him.”

  Raelyn shook his head. “I’m not planning on it, but I’ll do it if I have to. I hope he’ll listen to reason.”

  Genevar shook her head. “If violence is on the table, our agreement is off. I would no more betray him than I would you. And the same can be said for any plan to the authority of the city.” She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “I’m not going to meet with a friend, only to hand him over to Corlwyn, no matter how indirectly. That man is evil.”

  Raelyn sighed, exasperated. Why does this have to be so difficult. “Okay, Genevar. Only words. If I can’t persuade him, I’ll let him go his own way.” I hope to the gods I can persuade him, he thought.

  “I am not yet convinced,” she replied, her genteel words belying the steel in her eyes. “I want you to promise me that you won’t give him over to anyone—not even to the High Lords of the city. I want your word that nobody will know that you met with him, or find out that he is Gray’s man. And I certainly want you to vow that you will tell no one that you met him here, and that I have any dealings with Gray or his associates. If I find out that you were responsible for anything bad happening to him, I will take it as a personal betrayal.” She looked at Raelyn with steely eyes. “Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, Genevar,” he said. He knew he didn’t have any choice, and she was not an enemy Raelyn wanted to have. “I swear, on Moradarn’s sword, that I will not betray your friend—or your friendship.”

  She stared at him for a long moment, judging his reaction. “Look,” he said, “we’ve been friends for a long time. You just told me that you trust me, because I’m one of the only people you know who can’t be bought. You know I went to the wall once already for Callais, and I’d do it for you, too. Besides,” he added, a smile creeping in, “you know I can’t afford to make an enemy of you.”

  His good natured comment seemed to have a thawing effect on her, and she smiled a bit as well. “You’re certainly right about that,” she replied, and walked over to the bar to pour herself another finger of brandy. She looked over at him and shook her head. “Callais is a damn fool. If I were her, I would have run off with you years ago, let you make me an honest woman.”

  Raelyn blushed at that. The comment left him with a mix of embarrassment and pain, none of it good. Genevar saw his reaction, and he saw tenderness and sympathy in her eyes. She didn’t push the issue any further.

 
; “I shall fetch our guest,” she said.

  He was expecting her to go to the bedroom doors, where Gray’s man was undoubtedly waiting, but he was surprised when she picked up the decanter of brandy and walked around to the wall sconces, putting a small shutter up in front of all but one. In front of the last one she swirled the bottle, making the filmy curtains swirl with amber light. Very clever, Raelyn thought. She’s summoning him in a way nobody would know to look for. He decided that he would remember that signal. She turned to him with a sly smile. He could tell that the brandy had gone to her head a bit.

  “Feel free to sit, if you would like. He should be here shortly.” She sat down elegantly in an overstuffed armchair, the queen ready to hold court at her throne.

  Raelyn stood and waited, stepping back near the bedroom door, out of easy eyesight of the balcony doors. A few moments later, a grey cloaked figure emerged on the balcony, silently gliding into the sitting room. Raelyn was stunned.

  “Hello, Raelyn,” Astal said. His voice held none of the playful hint it usually did.

  All of a sudden, things started to make sense. Pieces were falling together fast now. He understood why Astal had tried to warn him off.

  His mind was working faster than his mouth. Genevar chimed in, “Oh, have you met?”

  “Yes, Genevar,” Astal replied. “Raelyn is one of my oldest friends.” He walked in and sat down, unhooking the rapier at his side. A plain, unadorned sword, no gold or gems on its hilt. A sword for killing.

  Astal set it down on the floor next to him, still looking up at Raelyn. His face was still grave.

  “I watched you walk in earlier,” Astal said. “I had a feeling I might see you up here.”

  “I thought you didn’t know anyone who could take me to Gray,” Raelyn said, accusatorily.

  Astal shook his head. “I said I couldn’t help you. Which was true. At the time I was in no position to reveal anything to you. I was too busy trying to figure out what was going on. And frankly, you didn’t need to know.” Astal looked at Raelyn, hard. “Then everything started getting way out of hand. I sent you the message through Drian because I hoped you’d lay low for a while, until this was sorted out.”

  “You really think I’d get out of town with all of this going on?” Raelyn asked. He was shocked that Astal would say such a thing.

  Astal shook his head. “No, I didn’t. You’re far too stubborn. But I did have hope that you’d stop talking to everyone so freely, stop trusting everyone around you. I’m just finding out how many people have it in for you.” Then he turned to Genevar.

  “Good lady,” Astal started, “I must apologize for making such a request in your own home, but would you please excuse us? I fear for your life if you were privy to the things Raelyn and I must discuss. I would be more discreet, but I believe time is far too precious in this matter.”

  Raelyn was surprised that Astal would ask Genevar to leave her own sitting room. He was even more surprised when she stood. “Of course, dear Astal. Our business can wait a few more minutes.” She walked to the door. “Be a dear and send Raelyn down when you’re through.”

  Genevar walked out, closing the door behind her. Raelyn turned to Astal, feeling a mix of anger and amazement.

  Astal met his gaze with the same level stare. When he spoke again, it was in Slovani. “I wouldn’t trust anyone at this point,” he said.

  “What about you?” he shot back.

  “I might be one of the only people you can trust, but everyone would say the same thing. And everyone is lying. Except Jethu. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t betray you.” Astal paused for a moment. “Honestly, if I was in your position, I wouldn’t trust me either.”

  “So,” Raelyn said, “what’s going on?”

  “The attacks from Karduk’s men are just going to get worse. Word on the street is that you have a price on your head now. Karduk’s using the chaos to take out all of his potential rivals—you included—and he’s working with Thone to put the people into a frenzy. Worse yet, he’s getting support from one of the High Lords.”

  “It has to be Rennard,” Raelyn said. Astal nodded. “He’s long been rumored to have connections to crime in the city. But I’m surprised that Rennard would work with a Coscan.”

  “Crime makes strange bedfellows,” Astal replied. “I’m just not sure what their plan is right now. It looks like Rennard is using the riots to get the city to crack down on the Coscan population, while Karduk is using the murders to incite the riots. The chaos masks his own personal war.”

  “So wait,” Raelyn said, trying to figure it out. “You’re telling me that you think Reynard’s the one who’s hired Gray? Even though Karduk works for Rennard, and those two are enemies?”

  “No, Rae. I’m pretty sure Rennard did not hire Gray. In fact, I’m quite certain Gray isn’t behind those murders.”

  “How can you be sure? Just because you’re Gray’s man doesn’t mean he lets you know everything that’s going on. How do you know he’s not lying to you about the murders? About Rennard?”

  Astal fixed his gaze on Raelyn.

  The final piece fell into the puzzle. It was as if he had been staring at a cloud, and all of a sudden a face emerged.

  “By the gods,” Raelyn whispered. “You’re Gray.”

  Astal nodded. “Yes. Which is why I’m pretty sure Gray isn’t behind the murders.”

  “And you haven’t killed anyone?” Raelyn asked, suspicious.

  “Oh, don’t get me wrong. I’ve killed a few people, but not, I suspect, as many as you have. And none that weren’t soldiers in my war.” He looked at Raelyn with a mixture of gravity and compassion, and just a note of bitterness. “When we left Lord Perinor’s service, I swore never again to be responsible for the killing of innocents. I made the same promise as you, slialne, and I’ve kept it.”

  Something in his voice made Raelyn believe him. He had known Astal since he was seven or eight, when he first arrived in the city from far-off Mitigol. Now that the shock was beginning to wear off, he could imagine Astal as Gray, the master thief of Galavan’s Port, who had a reputation as a master manipulator. He couldn’t imagine him as Gray, the assassin, murderer of members of the Chamber of Freemen.

  Raelyn nodded. “Okay. So let me get this straight. You are Gray, the one we’ve been hunting for. But you’re not responsible for these assassinations. And you’re trying to find the killer as well, to clear your own name. Meanwhile, you’re engaged in a war with Karduk over control of businesses in the Arena District, and you firmly believe he’s in league with High Lord Rennard.”

  Astal shrugged. “More or less. My gut tells me that Rennard is behind the killings. I had a conversation with Jander Westford, the witness who says he saw me at the scene of Sir Jonan’s murder. He is a clerk for the Council of Lords. He does a lot of work for Rennard, and he’s just come into a bit of money—as well as a fair bit of anxiety. I’m pretty sure that’s no coincidence.”

  “It makes sense that Rennard is trying to set you up,” Raelyn said. “You’re Karduk’s biggest opponent. Taking you down helps advance Karduk’s cause. It makes a lot more sense than thinking Rennard hired Gray—you—to kill a bunch of people that would help the Coscan.”

  “I’ll certainly agree with that!” Astal replied with a smile. The playful twinkle in his eye had returned, and Raelyn felt like he was talking to his old friend. “On top of that, Rennard hates the Coscans. He’d do anything to keep the rank and file Coscan living in the gutters. Killing off the leaders of the Coscan community will do wonders for that.”

  “But won’t that cause a rift between him and Karduk?” Raelyn asked. He was confused by this. “If the city cracks down on the Coscans, Karduk’s reach will be shattered. He won’t be able to operate anywhere but the poorest district.”

  Astal shook his head. “Not a chance. You have no idea how long his fingers are. There are thousands of ways through the city that have nothing to do with the main gates, and Karduk knows them all. We co
uld lock down the entire district and not slow him down a bit.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Raelyn countered. “Genevar told me his men are out in force, trying to get as much from their businesses as they can before they lose control of them.”

  “Genevar’s wrong,” Astal said flatly. “Karduk isn’t worried about losing control of them. He wants to make a show of force now, remind them who they owe their allegiance. He wants to scare them. Once the district is locked down, it will be difficult for him and his men to move freely, but he’ll be able to maintain control of the businesses that are important to him. He’ll wait until someone significant moves against him, and then he’ll personally show them how dangerous he can be. Once he does that, people will be too afraid of his wrath to stop paying him, even if he doesn’t have the reach that he used to.

  “In addition,” he continued, “it will be impossible for the Watch to set foot in the Coscan District. If they’re treated like caged dogs, they’ll start to act like them. They’ll resent being imprisoned in their district so much that they’ll take it out on anyone they think is responsible, and they’ll do everything they can to protect anyone they think is on their side. And with the Coscan moderates dwindling in number, that leaves voices like Thone and Karduk in the majority. If you thought it was hard to track down Karduk now, it will be impossible once every Coscan in the district is helping hide him.

  “The only thing we can do to stop him now is to draw him out, which is what I’ve been trying to do. If I can get him exposed, I might be able to take him out. Without him, the rest of his men will fall on each other to take control of his operations, and nobody in his gang is tough enough or wily enough to replace Karduk.”

  “Sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought into this,” replied Raelyn. He was impressed.

  “I’ve been positioning myself to take him down for about two years now,” Astal said. “I hadn’t expected it to happen so suddenly, but these murders have stepped up the timetable. Now we’re playing a game with each other, to see which one of us can capitalize on the chaos to take the other down.”