The Broken Key (02) - Hunter of the Horde

by Brian S. Pratt

“That’s it,” he replied.

  “So we have a man known for his brutality and killing, yet no account to back it up?” Riyan questioned.

  “According to what’s in Durik’s journal, that’s the way it appears,” Kevik replied.

  “Interesting,” commented Riyan. Then he noticed Kevik glancing to the book resting in his hand. Holding it up he said, “Stryntner gave me this when I left.”

  “Oh?” prompted Kevik.

  “Yeah, it chronicles the history of the Moran Tribes,” he explained.

  “Really?” he asked, surprised. “Why would he give you that?”

  “He said it was for all the help I had given him with the transcribing,” Riyan told him.

  “The last thing he said to me before I left was, ‘I hope you find what you’re looking for.’

  I didn’t think much of it at the time, but with The River Man being from that area, it seems a bit too coincidental.”

  “You think he might have suspected what you were doing and gave this to you to aid you?” asked Kevik.

  Riyan shrugged. “As I said, it’s all a bit too coincidental.”

  “Does it mention The River Man?” he asked.

  “Not so far,” replied Riyan. “It does say that the Moran Tribes used to be part of Byrdlon but had broken off to form their own kingdom. Ever since, tensions have been high between Byrdlon and the Moran Tribes.”

  “It also states that shortly after the war, their newly founded kingdom fractured into petty Tribes, each trying to force the others into submission.” Glancing to Kevik he added, “Their history has been one long conflict it seems.”

  “You mentioned a war?” Kevik asked.

  Riyan nodded. “Needless to say, Byrdlon was none too happy about losing a third of their kingdom,” he explained. “According to the account detailed here, Byrdlon sent their armies to crush what they termed ‘The Rebellion’ but was unsuccessful. The fracturing into Tribes didn’t come until a century after that.”

  “While the Tribes were fighting amongst themselves for power, the King in Byrdlon learned of their internal conflict and figured the time had come to reclaim the lost territory. So he sent his armies south to force them back into the kingdom. The campaign to annex the Moran Tribes was an unmitigated disaster. You see, whatever internal problems the Tribes had with each other disappeared in the face of this new threat. United under the strongest Warlord, they repelled the invasion and kept their freedom.” Riyan glanced up to Kevik. “As soon as the invaders were pushed back to Byrdlon, the Tribes once again fell into bickering among themselves. A situation that continues to this day.”

  They sat there quietly for a moment before Kevik asked, “Do you think this is all worth it?”

  “What?” Riyan could see there was something on Kevik’s mind other than what they had been talking about.

  “Going for the King’s Horde I mean,” he replied.

  “The woman I love is being married off to a man whom I wouldn’t turn my head to avoid spitting on,” Riyan explained. “The only possible way I can convince her father to break off the betrothal is to be so rich that he would risk the repercussions such an action would bring.” He paused then said, “It’s the only option left open to me.” Kevik nodded. “I know.” He’d heard that story, or a variation, over a dozen times already. “It’s just that it’s getting a bit dangerous. An attack on my estate, Bart’s harrowing rescue and the subsequent chase, this whole venture is becoming rather deadly.”

  Riyan nodded. “True. But life is dangerous. Even in the safe confines of the city there are murderers and thieves. During the times when I was out watching the flock, I never knew what would find me. Life isn’t safe, nor is it predictable. You simply need to pick the route through its labyrinth that you think best.”

  “I guess you’re right,” Kevik said.

  “While it’s true that Durik is on our trail and causing us no end of problems,” Riyan began, “the rewards are worth it.”

  Just then the door opened. Riyan turned to look as Bart and Chyfe entered. From the expression on Bart’s face, things didn’t go well.

  “Superstitious fools!” he exclaimed. Behind him Chyfe entered and shut the door.

  “What happened?” Kevik asked.

  “No one was willing to take us,” Chyfe said.

  Bart flopped down in one of the two chairs and said, “Every last one of them thinks the place is cursed. Bunch of scared children is what they are!”

  “Now just calm down,” Chyfe said to Bart. Turning back to Riyan he added, “We only talked with four men. There could be someone else down at the docks in the morning that would be more accommodating.”

  “Don’t you have family in the city?” Riyan asked Chyfe.

  “Yes, but they aren’t what you would call fishermen,” he replied. “I don’t think any of them even have a boat we could borrow.”

  “Maybe we could approach them for help,” suggested Bart.

  “That wouldn’t be a good idea,” he replied. “They aren’t likely to be very helpful.” Then to Riyan and Kevik he said, “As I told Bart while we were out, my relatives living in Catha aren’t on the best terms with those of us who moved to Gilbeth.”

  “Why?” asked Kevik. “If you don’t mind my asking.”

  “Oh, I don’t mind,” replied Chyfe. “My uncle always thought he should have been the one raised to nobility, not my father. So ever since, he hasn’t spoken a word to me or to those of us who left for Gilbeth. Trust me, it would be a bad idea.”

  “You know best,” Riyan said.

  “We could steal a boat,” suggested Bart.

  “No!” Riyan replied emphatically. “We’re not thieves.” He saw Bart grin at that.

  “You know what I mean.”

  “It would give us even more problems than those we already have,” Chyfe said.

  “All we can do is hope that in the morning another captain will be less fearful and more accommodating,” Riyan stated.

  “If we can’t find anyone willing to take us, we’ll have to try your uncle,” said Bart.

  Chyfe glanced to him and the expression he bore said he wasn’t looking forward to that meeting. “If we have no other choice,” he reluctantly agreed.

  “When the stick falls across one coin you win,” the man was telling Chad. “If it falls across both, you lose.”

  “What if it doesn’t fall across any?” Chad asked.

  “Then no one wins and we toss again,” the man replied.

  Chad and the twins had found their way to the One Armed Sailor, a tavern that catered primarily to fishermen and other locals. At the moment, Chad was trying to learn a game of chance he saw a couple of the other patrons playing. It consisted of a three inch stick and two copper coins.

  The man who was explaining the game looked to have been a fisherman at one time, but had succumbed to the advancement of age. Missing most of his teeth and boasting a scraggly gray beard, the man sat with them at their table as he explained the game.

  “Alright,” Chad said as he removed a copper and placed it on the table, “I’ll give it a go.”

  Seth nodded at him from behind his mug of ale and watched in curiosity. Beside him, Soth was paying more attention to the other patrons than what was going on before him.

  The old seaman picked up Chad’s copper, and then with one of his own, began the play. In his hand he held the two coins and the stick. He shook them in his hands a couple of times before tossing them onto the table. One coin rolled off onto the floor, while the other came to rest on top of the stick. “You lose,” the man announced.

  “What?” exclaimed Chad. “Why?”

  “Because the coin is on top of the stick,” the man explained as he bent over to pick up the errant coin that had rolled off the table. “You only win if the stick lies across one of the coins.”

  Chad looked at the man suspiciously. If it wasn’t for the fact that other men were playing the game too, he would have thought the old guy was making
the rules up as he went along. He glanced to Seth for help but only received an amused shrug in response.

  Placing another copper on the table, he said, “Let’s do this again.”

  “As you wish,” the old man replied and picked up Chad’s coin. The old man then added one of the ones they had just played with, along with the stick, to Chad. “It’s your turn to throw.”

  Taking the coins and stick, Chad held them in his hand then tossed them to the tabletop. When the three items came to a stop, he saw that the stick was lying atop one of the coins. “I won!” he exclaimed.

  “No, you lost,” the man stated.

  “What do you mean I lost?” Chad asked, an edge to his tone. “You said that when the stick fell across one coin, I won.”

  “That’s when I was tossing,” the man explained patiently. “When you toss, the rules are reversed.”

  From beside him, Chad heard Seth laugh. “Shut up,” he told his friend. Taking out another copper, he placed it on the table and said, “One more time old man.” With a grin, the man took up the coin and began again. This time, the stick landed on top of both coins. “You lose,” the man said which produced another laugh from Seth.

  Even Soth had turned his attention back to the game and grinned at Chad’s situation.

  “This game is stupid,” Chad said as he glared at the man sitting across the table from him.

  “Do you wish to play again?” the old man asked.

  “No, thank you,” Chad said. “Three coppers are all I’m prepared to lose to such a game.”

  “As you wish,” the old man said. Getting up from the table, he gave them a slight bow before heading to another table with two men to see if they wished to play.

  “Interesting game,” said Seth with a grin.

  “I thought it seemed rather simple,” offered Soth and received a glare from Chad.

  Turning his attention to the others playing the game at tables nearby, he watched.

  They seemed to be following the same rules as the old man had laid down. Chad shook his head. He had never heard of a game like that before. He took up his mug and downed the remainder.

  It occurred to Chad that this was the first time in quite a while that he had time to just sit, drink, and do nothing. The tavern they were in held little in the way of available women, but he didn’t mind.

  They spent an hour there before deciding to find a place that was livelier. All three had the beginnings of a satisfying buzz as they left the tavern and went in search of another establishment. It wasn’t long before they heard the sound of a bard playing.

  Seth steered them down a smaller side street toward the music. They didn’t have far to travel before they found the source. It was coming from a more high scaled establishment than where they had been. Laughter as well as the music reached them as they drew closer. Many people were congregating in and around the front of the place, all were in a happy mood.

  “I think this will suit us nicely,” Chad announced as he headed toward the front door.

  A group of five ladies were loitering near the entrance. When they took notice of Chad and the twin’s approach, one called out a greeting. All were giving them smiles and leers.

  There was no mistaking who they were and what they were offering.

  “Yes,” Chad said with a grin. “I think this place will do very nicely.” Returning their smiles with one of his own, he made his way toward them.

  Knock! Knock! Knock!

  “Go away!” Chad yelled. Lying there as he was with a woman on either side of him, the last thing he wanted was to be disturbed.

  “Chad,” Seth’s voice came through the door, “we need to be getting back.” Sighing with resignation, he hollered, “Alright. Be right out.” Turning to the ladies lying next to him, he said, “Sorry my dears. It seems my time has run out.” The brunette on his right gave him a passionate kiss. When she broke the embrace she said, “Come back and see us again.”

  The darker haired beauty on his other side trailed a finger across his chest. “We haven’t been with a real man like you in a very long time,” she said in a sultry voice.

  “I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again,” he said. Getting out of bed, he began pulling his clothes on while the girls remained where they were and watched him. The looks they were giving him made it hard for him to continue, but he knew Seth would only be knocking again if he didn’t make an appearance soon.

  After pulling on his boots, he stood up and buckled on his sword. Once it was securely around his waist, he turned back to the two ladies. “You two are hard to walk away from,” he admitted. On the table by the bed he set four silvers. Then without another word, he crossed to the door.

  On the other side he found Seth and Soth, both with grins on their faces. He was pretty sure they hadn’t indulged as he had, though the why of it escaped him. They were a lot like Riyan in some respects. “Everything taken care of?” Seth asked.

  “Completely,” replied Chad. “Come on, let’s get back before Riyan sends everyone out looking for us.”

  Soth patted him on the back as they began walking down the hallway that led back to the main area of the tavern. The rooms here in the back were used by the ladies for their customers.

  Out in main area of the tavern, the bard was still playing. They would have liked to listen longer, but they had to get back. Crossing through the tables to the front door, they were soon outside and headed back to the inn.

  Seth and Soth were a bit more intoxicated than Chad, they had wiled away the time waiting for him drinking in the tavern. They had managed to consume quite a bit before they felt it was time to leave. They weren’t stumbling drunk, but were sporting a respectable buzz that made them giddy and put a slight hitch in their get-along.

  After leaving the tavern, Chad led them in the direction he felt sure was the way back to the inn. They went down the street and soon came to an area where five streets converged onto a plaza, in the center of the plaza stood a fountain. Three women carved of stone held jugs from which water poured. Each flow of water cascaded from the jugs to splash upon the head of a child sitting at their feet. This time of night, the plaza held only a few people.

  “I don’t remember coming this way,” Soth said.

  “Me either,” his brother affirmed.

  “Come on,” Chad said as he turned them around. “We went the wrong way.” Leading them once again, he retraced his steps back to the tavern. Once there, he paused and tried to get his bearings.

  Obviously the street leading to the plaza with the fountain wasn’t the way. His recollection was a bit fuzzy, but he remembered they had turned onto this road from a larger one that would take them the rest of the way to their inn. His recollection of exactly where that turn off was located though, was a bit foggy. With the other two in tow, he headed off down the street in the other direction.

  At the first intersection, he paused and tried to determine if this had been the intersection they had turned at on their way to the tavern. He looked up one way and then down the other. Nothing was familiar.

  “Are we lost?” asked Soth.

  Chad didn’t want to admit that he had gotten them lost. “No,” he said. “I think it’s the next one.” Still leading the other two, he left that intersection behind and hurried down to the next. There, the street heading off to the left looked familiar. Turning down into it, he moved with confidence that he had at last found the correct way.

  But that confidence was short lived when the street soon opened up onto another wide plaza that in the daytime would be used for a market. They hadn’t come this way.

  “Chad,” Seth said.

  Chad ignored him as he tried to figure out where they were. He didn’t want to believe they were lost in the largest city he’d ever been in.

  “Chad,” Seth said, this time with a little more edge to his voice.

  Turning with impatience at the interruption, he faced Seth. “What is it?” Seth nodded over toward the mouth
of the street they had entered the plaza from.

  Soth’s attention was already focused there and he bore a grim expression.

  Glancing back over his shoulder, he saw four figures coming their way. Then from the corner of his eye he saw another three approaching from the right.

  “Two to the left,” Soth whispered, directing his attention to the pair closing fast.

  Nine men were advancing on them and Chad was quick to figure out these men weren’t out for an evening stroll. All doubt vanished when he caught sight of a flash of light that was reflected from a weapon held by one of the men in the group of four.

  “Are you two going to be able to fight?” Chad asked as he laid his hand on his sword.

  “Do we have a choice?” Seth asked.

  “It doesn’t look like it,” Chad said. Then he faced the four men and said, “Come no closer!” He was a little surprised at the commanding tone his voice had somehow mustered. When the men didn’t stop, he drew his sword, as did the twins.

  “Hand over your gold and you’ll live,” one of the four ordered. The nine men began fanning out until they had them surrounded.

  “Our purses are a bit empty at the moment,” Chad replied.

  “Yeah,” said Seth. “Should have gotten to us earlier in the evening.” Chad could see their arguments were not swaying the men before them. “We are members of the Warriors Guild. You’ll not find us easy prey.” He kept an eye on the men before him. To either side, Seth and Soth moved into position until the three of them were back to back to back in a triangular formation. “If you attack,” Chad stated with conviction in his voice, “you will die.” In a whisper barely loud enough for Seth and Soth to hear, he asked, “You two okay?”

  “Yeah,” came the reply. But which one had replied Chad couldn’t tell.

  “We don’t have to spill blood this night,” the man said. “All we desire are your coins.”

  “We don’t have any coins left,” Chad replied. “You are mistaken.” In fact, the four silvers he had left for the two ladies were the last of what he brought with him from Gilbeth.

  Then all of a sudden, there was a flash of metal as a dagger hurled towards them. Seth reacted with his sword and somehow managed to strike the dagger in flight. He was as surprised as any when he heard the ping as his sword struck the dagger. Knocked harmlessly to the side, it clattered across the cobblestones of the plaza.