The Broken Key (02) - Hunter of the Horde

by Brian S. Pratt

  That show of skill caused a murmur to go through the nine men facing them. In the faint light, Chad could see the face of one of them, and it no longer bore the confidence it once had. “Nice hit,” he said.

  “Thanks,” replied Seth, though he seriously hoped he would not be forced to repeat that particular maneuver. He doubted if he could.

  It was clear the men surrounding them didn’t believe they didn’t have any coins on them. Chad steeled himself for the inevitable onslaught. He was glad Seth and Soth had his back, he just wished they were a little less intoxicated.

  The nine men held their position for another second before the man who had spoken to them said, “Now!” Drawing his sword, he and the others moved forward.

  The field of battle seemed to slow as Chad watched the approaching men. They weren’t rushing in recklessly, rather moving more methodically. Nine men surrounding three, the odds were definitely not in their favor.

  Chad was surprised at the calmness that came over him. Back at the Tower in the Ki’

  Gyrx Forest, he had been unsure of himself. To be completely honest, he had been terrified. But with that battle successfully behind him, he now had confidence in his ability to hold his own.

  The way their attackers were fanned out, three were faced off with each of them.

  Before they could close, a word of advice one of his instructors had spoken during drills came back to him. ‘When facing off with more than one opponent, concentrate on defense. Your attacks create openings through which they can breach your defense. Bide your time, then strike.’

  With sword held ready to meet the first attack, Chad watched as the man who had spoken came closer. The other two men approaching on either side fell back a step. Chad glanced to the three men advancing on Seth and saw they were doing the same. The middle man was coming forward while the other two remained a step behind. Not sure what benefits that strategy would give them, he had little time to think about it as the man’s sword struck out at him.

  Chad’s sword moved and knocked the other man’s to the right. Then he was forced to dodge backward just as the man to his left thrust into the opening his parry had provided.

  Moving his sword back quickly, he struck that man’s sword aside and could feel a tug as the tip ripped through his outer jacket. The third man of the trio didn’t launch an attack, he held position and waited.

  Seth and Soth were now each engaged with a trio of attackers. The clash of swords as they fended off repeated attacks echoed across the plaza. So far, none had been able to breach their defense. But for how much longer?

  It was all Chad could do to keep the blades from causing him serious harm. A block here, a sidestep there, he managed to avoid each attack. One rather vicious thrust caused him to step back. He was surprised when his reflexes caused him to dodge backward at an angle, then realized if he hadn’t, he would have hit Soth. The time at drills spent fighting and winding their way through the rows of Recruits was definitely paying off.

  He knew where his two comrades were without having to look. He just knew.

  Soth suddenly grunted as a sword finally made it through his defense.

  “Soth!” cried out Seth.

  “Just a nick,” Soth replied. Bringing his sword around, he knocked a thrust aside then blocked a downward hack by another.

  Light suddenly appeared from one of the side streets and was approaching fast. “The Watch!” one of their attackers exclaimed. Other side streets began to brighten as more torch bearing men were quickly approaching the plaza.

  “They weren’t supposed to be in this area,” cursed the man who had spoken to them.

  Four of the five streets now bore evidence of men approaching. A dozen men emerged from the first street to have shown light. From the uniforms they were wearing, they were clearly members of the Watch.

  “Someone must have tipped them off,” another of their attackers said.

  “Get out of here!” ordered the man. All nine men broke off their attacks and fled for the one street which still remained dark.

  Chad and the twins were more than happy to have them leave. Seth immediately went to his brother and inspected the wound. Not taking his eyes off the fleeing men, Chad watched as they raced for the darkened street. More guards poured forth from the four lit streets until over a score of men were racing across the plaza. Most were pursuing the fleeing men, but five headed toward where Chad, Seth, and Soth stood.

  Just as the fleeing men reached the darkened street, it too erupted in light. Bathed with the light of half a dozen lanterns that had suddenly been unhooded, the flight of the nine men faltered. With a cry, the leader of the men charged into the street with sword raised. What happened after that was lost as the men passed behind the buildings lining the street and moved out of Chad’s vision.

  Turning back to the twins, he saw Seth looking at his brother’s wound. “It just grazed the surface,” he said.

  “I told you it was just a nick,” Soth said. In fact, they all bore several nicks but none were serious.

  About that time, the five guards who had been heading toward them arrived. The guard in charge asked, “Are you fellows okay?”

  Chad nodded. “Just a couple scratches,” he replied. “Good thing you and your men arrived when you did. Another few minutes and it would have been all over.”

  “Who were those guys?” Seth asked.

  “Thieves,” he replied. “They’ve caused us no end of trouble. We got a tip they were in the area.” Glancing over to the street where the men disappeared, he said, “I think we’ll have little to worry about from them.” Guards were beginning to emerge from out of the street. The fact they were walking in a regular, unhurried fashion led them to believe that whatever had happened in the street was over. Three men were being led out of the street, their hands bound behind them. Of the other six there was no sign.

  “Looks like we got their leader,” the guard commented. He pointed out one of the men, and when the man turned to look in their direction, saw that it was the one who had spoken to them. To another of the guards who was standing next to him, the guard in charge said, “Take them to the jail and post a guard.”

  “Yes sir,” the guard replied and hurried over to the guards in charge of the prisoners.

  Turning his attention back to Chad, Seth, and Soth he asked, “You three are strangers in Catha aren’t you?”

  Chad nodded. “Just passing through,” he replied.

  “Well, just so you know,” the guard said, “this area isn’t the safest after dark.”

  “Sort of figured that,” Chad replied.

  The guard indicated for the others with him to head out. “You three have a good evening,” he said. “Hope you enjoy your stay here in Catha.” Just as he was about to leave, Chad stopped him. “Just a moment,” he said.

  “Yes?” the guard said as he turned back to him once again.

  “Well, uh,” Chad stammered. “In all the confusion, we sort of lost our bearings.”

  “Ha!” exclaimed Seth. “I knew you didn’t know where you were going!” Chad rolled his eyes heavenward and asked the guard, “Could you direct us to our inn?”

  “Sure,” he replied. “What’s the name of it?”

  That’s when Chad realized he had never been told the name of the inn. He glanced to Seth and Soth but they didn’t know either. Then Soth spoke up and said, “It was owned by an elderly couple.”

  “That’s right,” Seth added. “The old guy warned us that his wife was trying to kill him.”

  At that the guard broke into a grin and nodded. “I know the place well. Why in the world are you staying there?”

  Chad shrugged. “Seemed like a nice enough place.”

  “Is she trying to kill him?” interrupted Soth.

  “Not that we’ve been able to ascertain, no,” the guard said. “He’s been saying that for years now. I’m sure if she had been trying to kill him, she would have succeeded by this time.” He then pointed to one
of the five streets. “Take that one. Follow it to the fifth intersection where you’ll find a broken statue, then turn to the left. You’ll see it on your right several blocks down.”

  “Thanks,” Chad said.

  “You better hurry and keep alert,” the guard said. “Like I said, this area isn’t the safest place to be at night.”

  “We will, and thank you,” Chad said.

  The guard nodded and moved to join the others as they escorted their prisoners back to the jail.

  Following the directions the guard had given them, they left the plaza and headed to the inn. Despite the warnings of the guard, they remained unmolested and arrived at the inn safely. Along the way, Chad wondered about the timely arrival of the guards. And who tipped them off to be there in the first place.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  _______________________

  Upon returning to the inn, they found the others gathered in Riyan’s room discussing the best course of action to take the following morning. As soon as the door opened, all conversation ceased as every eye turned toward them.

  Riyan’s face turned from jovial to worried the second he saw the state they were in.

  Coming to his feet, he exclaimed, “What happened to you?”

  “We’re fine,” Chad assured everyone. “We were set upon by thieves but the town watch happened by and aided us.”

  Seth turned to Chyfe and said, “Wouldn’t have happened at all if someone hadn’t gotten lost.”

  “Hey,” countered Chad. “I wasn’t lost.”

  “Then how do you explain we wound up in the bad part of town?” Soth replied with a grin.

  Riyan came to Chad and asked, “Was it Durik?”

  “No,” replied Seth. “The town watch knew who they were. Said they were locals.”

  “They thought we were loaded with gold or something,” Soth explained. “Seemed not to believe Chad when he told them we weren’t.”

  “Wouldn’t expect thieves to take the word of someone they were bent on robbing,” said Riyan. He glanced to Bart who acknowledged that he was correct.

  “At least you weren’t seriously hurt,” Kevik said.

  Chad nodded. “We had barely begun to fight when the watch showed up,” he told the others. Seth nodded agreement then they related the events of the fight.

  Once they were done, Bart explained to them their lack of success at the docks and how they planned to return in the morning to inquire further about hiring someone to take them out to the island. Discussion lasted for another hour before Chad suggested they retire for the night.

  Riyan nodded agreement as a yawn escaped him. Before the others filed out to their own rooms, he said, “Keep your doors locked. If the attack was a ruse of Durik’s, though I highly doubt that to be the case, there could be another.” One by one the others nodded their agreement then filed out until only Riyan and Chad were left. “Worried about what we may find on the island?” Chad asked his friend.

  Before getting ready for bed, he took out his sword and gave it a good cleaning. There wasn’t much on it from the battle, but the Guild had instilled the practice of always cleaning and sharpening your sword after use, even if you had hardly used it.

  Riyan was climbing under the covers when he replied. “Some. My biggest worry is that we may find something similar to what was in the Ruins.”

  “You mean like whatever killed our horses?” he asked. After inspecting the sword’s edge, he removed a cloth and began rubbing it down.

  Riyan nodded. “But whatever we find, it’s sure to be deadly.”

  “I don’t like the fact the place is rumored to be cursed,” Chad said. He glanced over to his friend and added, “Rumors usually have some basis in fact.”

  “That’s been on my mind too,” admitted Riyan.

  Chad worked on his sword for a quarter of an hour before deeming it fit for the scabbard once more. Sliding the blade within its sheath, he propped it against the wall near the head of his bed. Glancing over to Riyan he saw that he had already fallen asleep.

  Grinning at his friend’s expense, he blew out the candle and laid down. It didn’t take long before he was out.

  The next morning they met in the common room of the inn for breakfast. Instead of the wife of the old man, there was a young lady of about seventeen who waited on them.

  “Are you the daughter?” asked Chad when she came to see to their needs. He was eyeing her most appreciatively which annoyed Riyan. Beneath the table he felt Riyan’s foot connect with his shin. Glancing to his friend, he saw the disapproving scowl on his face.

  “My names Aryn,” she replied. “And yes, I’m ‘the daughter’.”

  “Is your mother really trying to kill your father?” Chad asked which earned him another kick from Riyan.

  Aryn sighed. “No,” she told them. “She dearly loves him, which is the only reason she could put up with his nonsense.” After taking their order, she disappeared into the kitchen area to put their meal together.

  Riyan was still glaring at Chad. “What?” Chad finally asked.

  “You can be a bit insensitive at times you know,” he replied.

  Chad glanced to Bart who nodded. “You don’t bring up something like one parent trying to kill the other to the child,” Bart told him. The others at the table nodded their agreement.

  “Fine,” said Chad. “I’ll be a bit more circumspect in the future.”

  “Good,” Riyan said. Then he glanced around and noticed for the first time that they were the only ones there. “Think no one else ever comes here?”

  “Maybe the father scares everyone away,” suggested Kevik. “He does seem a bit unhinged.”

  “Could be,” agreed Riyan.

  “The guard last night seemed surprised that we were staying here,” offered Seth. “He didn’t give a reason for his surprise, just commented that the old guy’s been this way for years.”

  Bart nodded. “I’m sure his bothering patrons doesn’t do much to help their situation.” Just then Aryn returned and put the platter carrying their breakfast of chicken, eggs, and bread on the table. “There you go,” she said.

  “Pardon me Aryn,” Seth said. When she turned to him he asked, “Your inn seems a bit empty. Is it the season?”

  A sad look crossed her face. “No,” she replied. “It’s not the season I’m sorry to say.” She sighed.

  “Is it because of your father?” Chad asked. No kick this time, just an annoyed glare from Riyan.

  “Yes,” she admitted. “Ever since that day he went out to the island, his mind hasn’t been the same.”

  “The island?” asked Riyan. At mention of the island, his attention as well as that of the others, was centered on her.

  She nodded. There was an empty seat next to Riyan and she sat in it. “It was about five years ago when it happened,” she explained. “He and several of his friends used to go fishing near there. He used to say that fish loved to swim near the island. Whether or not that is true, my mother confirms he never came back empty handed.”

  “Then one night he and his friends didn’t return,” she said. “My mother says that they would at times stay out late, but would always return before dawn the next day. When dawn came and he still hadn’t returned, she grew concerned.”

  “She and the wife of another of the missing men convinced a friend who owned a boat to help and they set out to search for them. Before they reached the shores of the island, they saw the missing men’s boat upon the water. Altering course, they quickly reached it and found only my father inside.”

  “He couldn’t remember what happened to the other four men or how he came to be the only one in the boat,” she said. “And it was shortly after returning that he has been convinced my mother is trying to kill him, as well as exhibiting other odd behavior.”

  “Did they search the island?” Riyan asked.

  “I think so,” she said. “But the men were never found.” Riyan glanced at the others and could see his worry reflected i
n their eyes.

  “Were other men ever found in the same shape as your father?” Kevik asked.

  “Not that I know of,” she replied. Getting up from the chair, she said, “I best be about my chores. You gentlemen enjoy yourselves.”

  “I’m sure we will,” Riyan assured her. They waited until she had returned to the kitchen before speaking. Turning to Chyfe he asked, “Ever heard anything about that before?”

  Chyfe shook his head. “No. It’s been considered cursed ever since I can remember though,” he replied.

  “Now what are we to do?” Seth asked.

  “We’re still going out to that island,” Bart said. He glanced to Riyan and received a nod in agreement.

  “Maybe we could question the old man about it?” Kevik asked.

  “I doubt if he would be able to tell us anything,” Bart said. “If he didn’t know anything when they found him, it’s unlikely he’ll remember now.”

  “Perhaps,” said Riyan. “Still…” Just then a man and a woman emerged from the stairwell leading up to the rooms on the second floor, it was the couple from the night before. They no sooner left the stairwell and took a seat at one of the tables when the old man emerged from the back. Riyan was the first to notice his appearance and pointed out his arrival to the others.

  The old man looked distracted as he came several feet into the common area. He stopped and looked around when he reached the nearest table. His eyes passed over the couple before coming to rest where Riyan and the others sat. After a quick glance behind him he started moving toward them. So intent was his concentration on his destination that his hip struck the edge of one of the tables in passing. Riyan was surprised that the man took no notice of the contact and continued to approach.

  The man’s face didn’t have any of the wildness that had been there the night before.