by Guy Antibes
“You are a wizard, as well?” Arno asked.
“He is,” Ari said. “Unusual, isn’t it?”
The craftsman tied a length of rope around the target.
Jack felt the dull side of the serrated blade and imagined the rotation of the star clipping the rope in two. “Watch,” Jack said. He touched the void and threw the star. With him moving and sensing more quickly, he saw the rotation of the star and was able to adjust it to plunge into the rope. The technique would take more practice, but he was able to sever half of the width.
“I need a bit more practice with this one,” Jack said, “and I think the edge could be a little wider.
“You moved so fast,” Arno said, as he made a few more notations to their sketches.
“A fighting technique I learned in Masukai. I wasn’t able to adjust the rotation well enough, but with more practice, I can do much better. The star is different from a knife, as you said. The advantage of stars is I can have stacks of them in pockets. Throwing knives take up more space since they are longer.”
“They are indeed, but most people are familiar with tossing knives.”
“Can you make fifty of each kind? I like them made as a dull black.”
“To match your sword?”
“That is one reason,” Jack said. “I trained at a place called Deep Mist in Corandian. Their wizard-warrior graduates wear black.”
“You are one of them?”
Jack smiled.
“Of course he is,” Ari said.
“I can have them done in a week. You can take four each of those. I just need one to copy,” Arno said. “Let’s see you use your sword.”
Jack took off his cloak and stepped into the central yard, while a wiry man warmed up with his shirt off, working his forms to the encouraging shouts of the other workers.
“I am Jack Winder,” Jack said, bowing to his opponent.
“Orthos Mere. I am the tester here. I have been to war for Corand and Passoran, so I am experienced.”
Jack smiled. “I haven’t been at arms as long as you have, but I have learned a few things from spending two years in Masukai.”
Orthos raised an eyebrow. “I find that hard to believe. People don’t return from Masukai.”
Jack laughed. “That isn’t true. The fact of the matter is few people are allowed inside. I had to spend a year just learning the language and the customs before I could really progress. Most people don’t have the time.” Jack didn’t either, but to fulfill the errand, he hadn’t had a choice.
“Show me your best,” Orthos said.
“But it won’t be much fun if I do that,” Jack said.
“Your best or none at all,” the man said.
Jack shrugged. “No blood?”
Orthos laughed. “I’m a working man. I don’t want to be laid up,” he said.
“Very well.”
Jack drew his sword and did a few simple forms. If Orthos wanted to show his arrogance, Jack could counter with his competence.
They faced each other. Orthos held his sword pointed upward and pounded his chest with the hand holding the sword. Jack tried to do the same thing and almost cut his forehead, much to the merriment of the workers surrounding them.
Arno asked Ari if he wanted to bet. Ari tried to demur, but it appeared that most of the workers were putting their money on Orthos.
“I may be better than I look,” Jack told the crowd. “You might want to reconsider your bets.” Jack’s comment was met with good-natured derision. “I warned you,” he said.
Orthos made the first move, which Jack barely countered at normal speed. The weapon tester could have made a real match of it if Jack didn’t have his magic. But he did and touched the void. From that point on, every move was countered by another from Jack that resulted in black blade slapping Orthos.
In thirty seconds, the match was over. The crowd was subdued. The comments on the fight turned clinical all of a sudden. Money was exchanged, but Jack didn’t see anyone give him angry looks.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to hit you flat enough,” Jack said. There were two thin lines of blood. They barely parted the skin. Jack stepped over to his opponent and treated Orthos with two healing spells.
“You are a healer, to boot?” Orthos said.
“I am who I am,” Jack turned to those still gathered. “I warned you all,” he said. “I used a Masukaian fighting technique that allows me to move faster.”
“I’ve never been played with so casually,” Orthos said. “I could tell the exact spot when you invoked your spell.”
Jack laughed. “You would have beaten me otherwise.”
“On the battlefield, no one cares about anything but using your strengths to survive.” Orthos bowed deeply to Jack. “I recognize my master. There are no swordsmen as fast as you in Antibeaux. I know, since I have fought or trained most of the good ones.”
“He has other abilities,” Ari said to Arno.
“Jack is willing to talk?”
“I believe he is. Shall we go to some other place?”
Arno nodded and led him inside to a conference room.
“This is our customer inspection room,” Tom said. “No one will enter until we leave.”
Ari leaned forward. “Jack has met the leaders of the men of the mountains.”
“Are you with them?” Arno asked.
“Them?” Jack looked at Ari.
Ari nodded. “Jack is with no one. I am merely introducing him to those who are not aligned with the four political parties.”
“We are Royalists until Queen Inez decides to betray us to the APS. They are pacifists and would drive us out of business. She hasn’t announced an alignment, but we hear things from castle servants.”
“That is your only interest?” Jack asked.
“There are disadvantages to each of the four. We would support a change, but not with any of those people running Antibeaux. They all scare us,” Arno said.
“Do you have an alternative?” Jack asked.
Arno shook his head. “Not yet, but it is getting closer to when we will have to push one out into the open and see what happens. Why are you here in Antibeaux? Are you going to use your fighting skills for one of the four? Ari says not, but I’d like to hear what you have to say.”
“I seek an artifact.”
“Adoree’s Mask? Ari already asked about it.”
Jack nodded.
“Legends say it is hidden in the Blue Glacier on the way to Niemeaux.” Arno shrugged. “Rumors are rumors. I can’t help you find it.”
“To get better information, we are here to gather information from the four political parties to see if we can determine from the many stories more specifically where the mask might be,” Jack said.
“If you find the mask, you are welcome to it. My interest is what will you do if something very political happens this winter.”
“Like an assault on Queen Inez?”
Arno nodded.
“I can’t tell you since we have only recently arrived. Perhaps in a month or maybe more, I might be able to tell you something different, but we haven’t come to put Antibeaux into a political crisis.”
“Keep an open mind, Jack Winder. Don’t discount joining the working men of our country. The Double P is a sham,” Arno said.
“That I have already learned,” Jack said. “I’m glad you shared this with me. I know we both have an interest in edged weapons,” Jack looked at Ari with a smirk, “and it may lead to other shared interests.”
“Events might do at that,” Arno said, standing up. “Give me your address, and I’ll deliver your stars personally.”
“Could I ask you to add ten throwing knives to the order. There is a woman in our group, who shares an interest in weapons. She only has three.”
“Does she need sheaths?”
Jack smiled. “She would be very appreciative if you brought a few that fit the knives.”
Arno smiled. “One gold piece, Corandian or one of An
tibeaux coinage will do.”
Jack pulled out his purse and gave him two Antibeaux gold pieces. “Another for a round of suitable drinks for you and your craftsmen.”
They left the armorer’s shop and had another lunch at the lamb and potatoes place, but Jack now knew his limits with the dish.
“Buying them drinks was a very nice touch,” Ari said. “What prompted you to do that?”
“I was thinking of what I could do to show them some goodwill. I thought that the workers in the shop would probably be talking about the sword and my match with Orthos at the local pub. It was an easy extension.”
“Their bill won’t cost what you gave the man.”
Jack laughed. “I am supposed to be a lord, aren’t I? I thought I’d play the part and show some largess.”
Ari nodded. “What did you think about their offer?”
“It has a different feel than the men of the mountains. The craftsmen aren’t as skittish as the others.”
“You don’t trust the first group?”
“Would you?” Jack asked.
Ari stroked his beard for a bit. “I see what you mean. It isn’t that you don’t trust them, it’s just that they are more likely to change their minds if the wind blows from another direction.”
“I can accept that interpretation. I don’t see either group interested in sabotaging us, either,” Jack said. “I would consider them reserve troops that might be available to anyone who puts up resistance to the four. They are Royalists only because they see less disadvantage from the queen, not because they like being ignored.”
Jack’s comment brought a smile to Ari.
“I hope we can be out of Antibeaux before the rivalry blows up into a conflict,” Jack said.
“You might,” Ari said. “Your group might also be the spark that fans the flame of whatever will happen.”
“By our closing down the listening posts?”
“Among other things,” Ari said. “You Corandians are a powerful but unknown quantity who has already caught the attention of the four factions.”
“Do you want to come to the ball with us?” Jack asked.
Ari shook his head. “I’d rather not. I’m not much good at grand social events. I’d rather stay away from Lady Kanlinn and Lorton Reedbrook for now.”
“Can you accept a request from me?” Jack asked. “See if Lin or Oscar is working with others, either hired Bristonians or hired helpers coming from Corand. She said something, and I’m wondering if she is pursuing other options on her own.”
“Like you?”
Jack frowned. “I am sharing my encounters with the commoners, but not all the details. I prefer to work more in the open.”
“And Lady Kanlinn likes to play in the shadows?” Ari asked.
“Perhaps. I don’t like to play there, and I am more comfortable if I know what is going one.”
Chapter Eighteen
~
J ack looked at the men guarding the castle gates. These castle gates were in the subterranean passages. The guards stood in front of a wrought iron gate, but behind that, Jack could see iron gates on either side of the passage folded against the wall. Depressions for iron wheels showed where the gates had moved in the past.
“We can go through those when it snows?” Penny asked.
“The lower gates can still be wheeled into place,” Jack said. “At least you won’t get wet if it rains or snows while you make your way to the castle for the royal ball.”
“And you don’t care if you get wet?” Penny asked.
Jack smiled. “What do you think?”
“I think you’d rather not go.”
“I think you are right,” Jack said. He was more concerned about being able to teleport from inside the castle to the front of this entrance. “I think I have seen enough. Have you?”
She nodded. “I can’t go as far as you, but I’m within what I think my range is,” she said.
“As Lin said, we have to be prepared. We still don’t know enough about anything. Let’s return to the townhouse.”
Jack put out his hand, and they appeared in the foyer before teleporting up the stairs to the main level.
“I wonder if you are practicing or if you are just lazy,” Penny said.
Jack smiled. “Both.”
They joined Sera, who was reading a book on Antibeaux history in the front sitting room. “Was your walk worthwhile?”
Jack nodded. “Have you learned anything noteworthy?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Sera closed the book and put it on the side table beside her. “The ball isn’t for another four days.” She rose from her chair and went to the window that looked out over the street.
“And it is getting cloudier and colder,” Penny said. “If it rains or snows, we can be protected the entire way to the castle.”
“You will have to be transported by people-driven carriages,” Lin said, walking inside the room. “No animal-powered conveyances are allowed below ground.”
Jack couldn’t say he was looking forward to the experience. He liked walking at ground level, but he could tell the air had taken on a chilly turn in the last two days.
Oscar entered. “A tradesman is asking for Jack.”
“I’ll talk to him. It is likely Arno with my throwing stars.”
“You can’t use those at the ball,” Lin said as Jack left.
Jack decided he would be the one to decide what he would take to the ball and what he would leave behind. Lin was getting more demanding as the ball drew near.
“Arno!” Jack said. “Come in.”
“I’ll only come as far as your foyer. I brought your order and,” he looked back and beckoned another man. “These are the throwing knives. I can sell these to others if they are unacceptable, unlike your stars.”
“I’ll have to fetch the knife thrower,” Jack said.
Penny was standing just out of sight at the top of the stairs and peeked around. “Something for me?” she said.
“Come down here,” Jack said. “I have a little gift for you if you like them.”
Penny opened up the box revealing another box of twenty throwing knives, all flat and finished in a dull gray, and all divided by a slip of waxed paper. Her eyes lit up.
“These are beautiful,” she said, lifting one of them from the box. She gave Jack a little grin. “I can’t throw these down here.”
“Check the balance and the heft.”
“A little lighter than I’m used to.”
“I made them for a woman. They are a little smaller than my standard pattern. How do you like the sheaths?”
“Oh. Six sheaths? These are wonderful,” Penny said.
“Pretty much from stock, but I had our leathermaker craft the sheaths a little smaller as well.”
“And this?” She picked up a sheath with open ends. “The knife won’t fit in here.”
“Slip it onto the flat hilt,” Arno said.
Penny smiled as the sheath became a leather grip for a knife. “This allows me to use one of the throwing knives to do something other than throwing, even use a knife to throw wizard bolts.”
Jack opened up the other box and examined his stars. Penny might be getting a few of these, he thought. They were also separated by waxed paper but were finished in a brushed black finish. He held one of each pattern in his hand. “You do excellent work.”
“I do, don’t I?” Arno said with a grin. “These are acceptable, then?”
Jack nodded. “Do I owe you anymore?”
Arno shook his head. “I took a bit of the second gold piece to make a few more knives. I’m glad you both are happy.”
Jack nodded. “This is Lady Penneta Ephram, but I call her Penny. You can too.”
“You have my permission,” Penny said.
Arno looked pleased and gave Penny a little bow. “Keep us in mind as you go. I need to be returning to the shop.”
Jack shook Arno’s and his assistant’s hands, and the craftsmen left.
&n
bsp; “You didn’t tell me you ordered some more knives. I was wondering what I was going to do if I lost the three I brought with me.”
“I didn’t surprise you with a gown or a hair ornament for the ball, but these should do. Depending on your gown, you can slip more weapons on your person.”
Penny laughed. “Not that I’d want to use them, but I will feel better with a little extra confidence sitting in the sheaths.”
“Let’s go up to the sixth floor and find a slab of wood to test these out.”
They teleported to the top floor. Oscar had cleaned the space since Jack had last visited. The trapdoor was now locked. They practiced with their throwing weapons for half an hour, and both were satisfied with Arno Gibbert’s work.
Jack found a rope and practiced cutting the rope with his star. He found it difficult, but sometimes he was able to get the rotation of the serrated blade to cut into the rope as the star rotated. The throw wasn’t successful every time, but he would remember how to do it when he touched the void.
“New toys?” Lorton asked as they sat down for dinner.
It turned out that the new cook was better than Oscar, so everyone showed up for dinner, including Oscar.
“Yes, indeed,” Penny said. “I have plenty of throwing knives. Perhaps you might like to try them.”
“I might.” Lorton looked at Jack. “You had them custom made?”
Jack nodded. “Along with a set of three different kinds of throwing stars. All of which can be lethal, but each one has a purpose.”
“Just in time for the ball?” Lin said.
“I’ll feel better with more than one or two knives on me,” Penny said.
“But Jack is likely to be checked for weapons. I will be allowed something since I am a bodyguard.”
Jack smiled. “I can always teleport back here and then return to the castle if I need to.” He raised his hand to forestall the objection Lorton would raise. “But I’ll do that only if it is necessary. I have other tools at my disposal.” Jack picked up a dinner knife. “This or a fork will work well enough as a wand.”
“Be my guest,” Lorton said. “I am more comfortable with you doing that than instantly arriving in the middle of the ball armed with any kind of weapon. All the guards in the castle would be after you.”