Forged in the Dawn

by Gavin Zanker

  Trent looked around the room as his gathered men watched the scene unfold. They all knew as well as him what happened next. ‘Come on then let’s get this over with,’ Trent said, throwing his cue on to the pool table and scattering the balls. ‘I have a dinner date in half an hour with a lovely little red-head, and you’re not going to make me late.’

  Trent strode across the room, grabbed the crying man by his wiry hair and dragged him outside. His men in the bar left their drinks and followed, forming a large posse as they marched through the streets. People jumped out of the way at the sight of them. Everyone here knew Trent and none were stupid enough to draw his attention. Some of his Boys carried clubs, encouraging the more clueless residents to step aside.

  The posse soon came upon the market square where the merchants were packing up their stalls for the day. All activity stopped when people saw the Kiln Boy leader and his men approaching. Trent called a halt before the raised stone statue in the centre of the market. He glanced up at the weathered statue of the horseback rider with the missing head. The plaque had long since been ripped away, leaving the identity of the headless man lost to history.

  ‘You all know me,’ Trent shouted, his voice booming out as he addressed the growing crowd. ‘You all know that I’m a fair man. If you don’t wrong me then I don’t wrong you.’ He savagely yanked the bloody-faced man to his feet as the crowd murmured. ‘This man stole from me. Maybe it’s been too long since you all saw what happens to the people that steal from me. So here’s a little reminder.’

  He nodded to one of his Boys, who threw a rope over the large statue. Cries went up from the crowd, but were quickly hushed as Kiln Boys stepped menacingly towards the protesters. Trent pushed the thief towards the rope, who just stood there with his hands over his head, his body convulsing with each sob.

  ‘Come on, this is just embarrassing,’ Trent said, wrinkling his nose. ‘Let’s hurry it up.’

  A Kiln Boy stepped forward and tied a noose in the rope, slipping it around the crying man’s neck. The man didn’t struggle, he just reached out towards the watching crowds as blood dripped from his broken nose. Trent signalled, and a few of his men took up the end of the rope and heaved, lifting the thief high into the air before tying the rope to a metal railing at the base of the statue. The man scrabbled at the rope around his neck, his body thrashing around as he struggled for air.

  Trent turned to the crowd. ‘You see what happens when you steal from me?’ he shouted, his irritation showing. ‘I wish you would learn this lesson so I don’t have to keep repeating it.’

  A crooked elderly woman stepped out from the mass of people, leading a young red-haired woman in a revealing dress and a studded choker clasped around her neck. She pushed the girl towards Trent and nodded at him before disappearing back into the crowd without a word.

  ‘Ah my date has arrived,’ Trent said, smiling at his companion. He noted that her long hair barely hid a deep purple bruise on the side of her face. This one had been easy to break, no challenge at all. Surprisingly though, he had yet to grow tired of her.

  ‘Susie wasn’t it, my dear?’ He held out his arm and she slipped hers around it. ‘I have set up a lovely dinner for us. The chef has assured me that you will be suitably pleased with his creation. And afterwards, I have a few games in mind to pass the time.’ She flinched slightly as he kissed her gently on the cheek and they walked away from the hanging man, now limp and purple-faced.

  Trent stopped and turned back to the crowd. ‘Oh and it goes without saying there won’t be a repeat of last time. So if anyone tries to cut that man down, then they’ll take his place up there.’

  He turned his attention back to the girl, leaving the market behind as he guided her towards the bar. He smiled as he imagined the sweet cries he would draw from her over the course of the night.

  CHAPTER 25

  AIDEN WAS WOKEN from sleep by a clamour of raised voices. He opened his eyes to flashlights strobing the barracks, and unfamiliar figures marching through the room. A light flicked across his vision, blinding him temporarily as he climbed off his bunk. Hitch jumped down, barking in the confusion. When his sight returned he was met with the blue of police uniforms.

  ‘All right ladies, on your feet,’ an officer shouted as he strolled down the line. Aiden groaned as he recognised Captain Ellington’s voice.

  ‘What do you think you’re doing?’ Faye demanded, as she stepped out in front of the Captain. ‘You have no right to be here.’

  Ellington looked down at her with scorn. ‘We have a warrant to search this facility on suspicion of drugs being illegally manufactured on the premises.’ He waved a slip of paper in her face before roughly shouldering past her. ‘I want everyone lined up in front of their bunks while we search the premises. Now!’

  Blanc appeared beside Aiden, pulling on a sweatshirt. ‘Is this legal?’ she whispered. ‘I don’t think they’re allowed to do this.’

  The whole team was milling around in confusion at the police presence as the Captain continued. ‘Some of you may be wondering why we’re here. Well the answer is “shut up.” This facility lies within the borders of the city, which means it falls under the jurisdiction of the city police. When we get a call about illegal activity, we have no choice but to follow it up.’

  Lockers and bunks were turned over as the police started tossing the room. Ellington stopped by Faye who was now stood in front of her bunk, hand on her hip.

  ‘Been a naughty girl have we?’

  ‘Rot in hell,’ she said, spitting at him.

  The Captain planted his fist in her stomach, causing her to double over as all the air left her lungs. Aiden leapt forward, pushing past the officers and helping her upright.

  ‘Assaulting residents is legal now, is it?’ Blanc demanded, stepping forward.

  ‘I didn’t see any assault. Me and my men here are just performing a regulation search.’ The Captain’s face lit up when he saw Aiden. ‘Ah there he is. Fielding, the infamous escape artist. Fancy seeing you again.’

  ‘What do you want?’ Aiden asked, stepping forward as Hitch jumped around his ankles, growling.

  ‘Someone better hold that mutt back or I’ll put a bullet in its skull,’ the Captain said, pulling out his pistol.

  Faye called Hitch over and crouched down, wrapping her arms around his neck as she shushed him.

  The Captain returned his pistol to his belt and turned back to Aiden. ‘You probably didn’t realise, but we met the other day outside the Brentford. You gave me this.’ The Captain removed his helmet and pointed to the gauze covering his nose. ‘Well I thought I’d come and give you a present in return.’ He signalled and two officers moved alongside to flank Aiden, grabbing him by the arms and holding him in place. He grinned as he rolled up his sleeves. ‘After all the trouble you’ve caused me, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t going to enjoy this.’

  The Captain wound back his arm and hit Aiden with a right hook, snapping his head back as the leather gloved fist connected with his chin. Furious barking came to Aiden from faraway as a white flash filled his vision.

  ‘Hey you can’t do that,’ Faye shouted, struggling to hold Hitch in place.

  ‘Do what? I didn’t do anything.’

  The Captain continued to lay in to Aiden as the other officers laughed. At the other end of the barracks, Adam caught sight of the violence. He barrelled forward, his face twisted in to a snarl. Seekers dived in front of him, with four of them barely managing to hold him back.

  ‘You better keep that bear in check, or he’ll be next,’ an officer warned.

  ‘Right, one more for the road,’ Ellington said, patting Aiden on the cheek.

  He coiled back and with a sickening crack, his fist connected directly with Aiden’s nose. The officers released him and he slumped to the floor, barely conscious.

  ‘Right, well that’ll about do it I think,’ Ellington said, flexing his hand. ‘I hope we don’t get any more tips about illegal activity on the pre
mises or we may have to come back and perform another search.’ The Captain whistled loudly, then headed for the exit with the officers filing out after him.

  Aiden’s world spun as the blurred figure of Faye appeared at his side and helped him into a sitting position. ‘Someone go and wake Kane,’ Faye said. ‘Jordy, give me a hand. We need to get Aiden to medical.’

  Jordy stared down at her, shaking his head slightly. He folded his arms and made no move to help.

  ‘Jordy!’ Faye shouted. ‘Help me!’

  He tutted loudly before reaching down and swinging Aiden’s arm over his shoulder while Faye did the same on the other side. Even with the ringing in his ears, Aiden could hear the angry murmuring from the team as he was carried out of the barracks.

  ‘EVERYONE CALM DOWN,’ Kane shouted, trying to bring some quiet to the common room.

  ‘How can we calm down when we’re attacked in our own beds?’ someone demanded.

  His team were angry, and they had every right to be. When Kane had been woken with the news that police had barged their way inside the compound, he had thrown his clothes on and sprinted to the barracks to find them already gone, leaving his team angrily milling around the common room.

  ‘How the hell did they just walk in like that anyway?’ another Seeker asked.

  ‘I’m still figuring out how this happened,’ Kane said. ‘They should never have been able to get past the gate.’

  ‘That arrogant Captain was flashing a warrant around,’ Faye said sullenly from her seat on a tattered sofa nearby. ‘He said something about looking for drugs. I didn’t get a chance to see how legitimate it was though.’

  ‘Right, you come find me in a minute. I want to know more about that. In the mean time, was anyone hurt?’

  ‘Just Aiden,’ Faye said. ‘We carried him to sickbay already. He took a beating from the Captain. Broken nose, maybe a rib or two. Louise says he should be fine though. She’s keeping him there overnight to keep an eye on him.’

  ‘What a clusterfuck,’ Kane said, rubbing his forehead. ‘Did anyone attack any of the officers?’

  ‘No, we were all taken by surprise,’ Faye said. ‘No one offered any real resistance.’

  ‘Well Adam nearly killed them all,’ Blanc said, stepping forward from the back of the room. ‘It took half of the team to hold him back.’

  ‘Good work,’ Kane said nodding. ‘He would’ve ripped their heads off and the last thing we need is police casualties inside the compound. It’d just give them reason to come back. Where is the big guy?’

  Blanc pointed over to an armchair were Adam was snoring loudly. ‘He’s pretty drained. I think he struggled to understand what was happening.’

  ‘Like seeing mum and dad having a domestic, right?’ Faye said.

  ‘Yeah it was a bit close to home. He’s calm now though. I’ll keep watch over him.’

  The volume in the room continued to rise as charged conversations flared up. Kane whistled loudly, the shrill noise silencing the room.

  ‘Can we keep the noise down, people?’ he yelled. ‘I can’t hear myself think over here!’

  The conversations continued, but muted now as Blanc spoke. ‘I think it was Aiden they were here for.’

  ‘Why would they be here for Aiden?’ Faye asked, frowning.

  ‘The other day, outside the Casino when you ran off to get orders. The police charged us and he knocked a few of them down before Travis turned up. That Captain guy with the broken nose, Ellington? Apparently he was the one Aiden rammed head first into the car.’

  ‘That sounds like Aiden all right,’ Kane said with a hint of a smirk.

  ‘So it was revenge for being embarrassed in front of his men,’ Faye said. She shook her head with gritted teeth. ‘What an arrogant child. We should gear up and-’

  ‘And what?’ Kane interrupted. ‘Start an open war with the city police? No. We stay put for now. You all hear that?’ He raised his voice so the room could hear him. ‘We all calm down and get some sleep. No one leaves the compound tonight. That’s an order.’

  ‘What if they come back?’ someone asked.

  ‘They won’t be getting back inside the compound. I can promise you that. Even if I have to personally sit on that wall and watch the gate all night. So you can all sleep easy.’

  Kane looked out over his team. They were loyal, and every one of them deserved better than what had happened tonight. He realised he was clenching his fists and he shook his arms out to ease the tension.

  ‘Faye,’ he said. ‘Take a walk with me to the gate. You can tell me about that warrant.’

  Blanc nodded to them, then wandered back to sit next to Adam. Faye climbed out of her seat and threw on a jacket before heading for the door. Kane followed but stopped at the open doorway, glancing back at his team.

  ‘They’ll all be fine,’ Faye said. ‘They just need a while to calm down, that’s all.’

  Kane nodded, grateful to hear the words. ‘Come on then, let’s go and find out which gormless prat on the gate let them in.’

  EMILY REACHED THE chapel, her arms folded tightly across her chest as her breath fogged the night air. The double doors were ajar, and a dim light escaped from within. She slipped inside, closing the doors behind her, and made her way towards the stage in the centre. Her shoes clicked on the tiled floor as she walked, echoing around the empty chapel. She slowed when she saw Kane sitting alone in the front row. She took a seat next to him, folding her legs towards the Seeker leader.

  ‘I wondered where you had run off to,’ she said. ‘I figured it could only be here. You’re starting to become predictable.’

  ‘It’s quiet here. I enjoy the peace.’

  Kane glanced sideways at her, and she noted the sorrow etched around his eyes. The emotion reminded her of Travis, and the pain he only showed in private. The two men were similar in that regard.

  ‘When will you stop atoning for your past, Kane?’

  ‘When?’ Kane returned to staring ahead at the empty stage. ‘When I can change it.’

  ‘You’re too hard on yourself. Harder than anyone has a right to be.’ She reached out, hesitated slightly, then placed her hand on his arm. ‘You’re not the person you used to be.’

  ‘I appreciate the kindness, but I know who I am.’ Kane sighed, and rested his hand on hers. ‘You’re a good person, Emily. It makes me think there might still be hope for this world with people like you in it. If there were more of you then the world would have no need for people like me.’

  Emily leaned in to him and rested her head on his broad shoulder. She closed her eyes and listened to the wind howl over the high-ceilinged building, savouring the feeling of safety.

  ‘I’ve been meaning to tell you,’ she said. ‘I’m heading out of the city tomorrow. I’m travelling up to Kiln Commons, stopping at some of the smaller settlements on the way. I’ll be gone for a while. At least a week.’

  ‘Why Kiln Commons? That place is infested by the lawless.’

  ‘Samuel wants another recruitment drive, and since I’m one of the faces of this organisation, who better? Besides, I convinced him that it would be an opportunity to do some charity work.’

  Kane nodded. ‘Who’s going with you?’

  ‘There’ll be at least five of us. I’m taking some church volunteers with me, so don’t worry.’

  ‘Avoid Trent and his Kiln Boys while you’re there. I can tell you from experience, he’s a dangerous man with the morals of a snake. You’ll take some Seekers with you.’

  ‘We’re on a mission of charity, I really don’t-’

  ‘It wasn’t a question,’ Kane said, cutting her off. ‘I’ll have a couple of Seekers report to you first thing in the morning. There’s no need to risk yourself. You’re too important to people here.’

  ‘If it puts your mind at rest then okay,’ she said, smiling at his fussing. ‘Thank you.’

  She felt Kane’s chest heave as he took a deep breath. ‘Emily, you know I-’

  She shushed
him and patted his hand. ‘It’s okay, I know. Let’s just enjoy the peace. There’s precious little of it these days.’

  Emily sighed inwardly. She would never betray the trust of her husband, but she had an undeniable connection with Kane. Under his brash demeanour was a soul carrying a heavy burden, and as much as she tried, she had never been able to help him lay down his guilt. Under different circumstances she knew they would not be forced to suppress their feelings for each other, but as things stood, all they could do was snatch these quiet moments of comfort together when no one was watching.

  ‘My Seekers need revenge,’ Kane said, breaking the silence. ‘Morale was damaged in that raid. My team won’t function if they think I can’t protect them while they sleep in their own beds.’

  ‘No, I expect you’re right.’

  ‘Something needs to be done.’ She felt his rough stubble brush her forehead as he looked down at her. ‘You know I can’t let this lie.’

  ‘Don’t worry.’ Emily patted his arm. ‘It’s already been decided something will be done. I can’t talk about it yet, but you’ll hear the details when the time is right.’

  The warmth of Kane’s muscular body comforted her. She had never been able to understand why his presence more than any other made her feel secure. She opened her eyes, gazing up at the empty stage, and the familiar guilt returned.

  ‘This place seems strange without Travis up there,’ she said. ‘Pacing back and forth like he does when he gives his speeches. Don’t you think?’ Kane remained silent, but she felt his shoulder tense at the mention of her husband. ‘You won’t do anything to compromise us, will you?’ she asked.

  ‘Of course not. I’m not driven by senseless pride. But you know I can only lead while I show them I have the strength. I need to give my team a win after tonight.’

  The chapel doors creaked open behind them, and Emily pulled away from Kane, spinning around to see who was there. Samuel appeared in the doorway, his figure framed against the darkness outside. Leaving the doors wide open, he strode through the chapel stopping before the seated pair. He looked from one to the other with a frown.