They mounted up and Hadrian took one last look at Tur Del Fur as the flames, fanned by the morning’s sea breeze, swept through the streets below.
CHAPTER 26
PAYMENT
Merrick entered the great hall of the imperial palace. Servants were hanging Wintertide decorations, which should have given the room a festive feel, but to Merrick it was still just a dreary chamber with too much stone and too little sunlight. He had never cared for Aquesta, and regretted that it would be the capital of the New Empire—an empire whose security he had ensured. He would have preferred Colnora. At least it had glass streetlamps.
“Ah! Merrick,” Ethelred greeted him. The regents, Earl Ballentyne, and the chancellor were all gathered around the great table. “Or should I call you Lord Marius?”
“You should indeed,” Merrick replied.
“You bring good news, then?”
“The best, Your Lordship—Delgos has fallen.”
“Excellent!” Ethelred applauded.
Merrick reached the table and pulled off his gloves, one finger at a time. “The Ghazel invaded Tur Del Fur five days ago, meeting only a weak resistance. They took Drumindor and burned much of the port city.”
“And the Nationalist army?” Ethelred asked, sitting down comfortably in his chair with a smile stretching across his broad face.
“As expected, the army packed up and went south the moment they heard. Most have family in Delgos. You can retake Ratibor at will. You won’t even need the army. A few hundred men will do. Breckton can turn his attention north to Melengar and begin plans for the spring invasion of Trent.”
“Excellent! Excellent!” Ethelred cheered. Saldur and the chancellor joined in his applause, granting each other smiles of relief and pleasure.
“What happens when the Ghazel finish with Delgos and decide to march north?” the Earl of Chadwick asked. Seated at the far end of the table, he did not appear to share his companions’ gaiety. “I’m told there’s quite a lot of them and hear they’re fearsome fighters. If they can destroy Delgos, what assurance do we have they won’t attack us?”
“I’m certain the Nationalists will halt their ambitions in the short term, milord,” Merrick replied. “But even if not, we face no threat from the Ba Ran Ghazel. They’re a superstitious lot and expect some sort of world-ending catastrophe to beset them shortly. They want Drumindor as a refuge, not as a base for launching attacks. This will buy the time you need to take Melengar, Trent, and possibly even western Calis. By then the New Empire will be supreme and the Nationalists a memory. The remaining residents of Delgos, those once-independent merchant barons, will beg for imperial intervention against the Ghazel and eagerly submit to your absolute rule. The empire of old will be reforged.”
The earl scowled and sat back down.
“You are indeed a marvel and deserving of your new title and station, Lord Marius.”
“Because you already have Gaunt and Esrahaddon is dead, I believe that finishes my employment obligations.”
“For now,” Ethelred told him. “I won’t let a man of your talents get away that easily. Now that I’ve found you, I want you in my court. I’ll make it worth your loyalty.”
“Actually, I already spoke with His Grace about the position of Magistrate of Colnora.”
“Magistrate, eh? Want your own city, do you? I like the idea. Think you can keep the Diamond under your thumb? I suppose you could—certainly, why not? Consider it done, Lord Magistrate, but I insist you do not take your post until after Wintertide. I want you here for the festivities.”
“Ethelred is getting married and crowned emperor,” Saldur explained. “The Patriarch will be coming to perform the ceremony himself, and if that’s not enough, we will be burning a famous witch.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Excellent!” Ethelred grinned. “I trust accommodations in the city are to your liking? If not, tell the chamberlain and he’ll find a more suitable estate.”
“The house is perfect. You are too kind, my lord.”
“I still don’t see why you don’t simply stay in the palace.”
“It’s easier for me to do business if I’m not seen here too frequently. And now, if you’ll forgive me, I must—”
“You aren’t leaving?” Ethelred asked, disappointed. “You just got here. With news like this, we have to celebrate. Don’t doom me to merrymaking with the likes of an old cleric and a melancholy earl. I’ll call for wines and beef. We’ll get some entertainment, music, dancers, and women if you’d like. How do you like your women, Marius? Thin or plump, light or dark, saucy or docile? I assure you, the lord chamberlain can fill any order.”
“Alas, my lord, I have some remaining business to which I must attend.”
Ethelred frowned. “Very well, but you must show up for Wintertide. I insist.”
“Of course, my lord.”
Merrick left while the imperial rulers exchanged congratulatory accolades. Outside, a new carriage waited, complete with four white horses and a uniformed driver. On the seat rested the package from the city constable. Merrick had offered brandy in trade and the man had leapt at the opportunity. A bottle of fine liquor in return for the worthless remnants of the defunct witch hunt was the sort of good fortune that the sheriff was unaccustomed to receiving. Unwrapping the package, Merrick ran his fingers over the shimmering material of the robe.
The carriage traveled up The Hill and turned on Heath Street, one of the more affluent neighborhoods in the city. The homes, though not terribly large, were tasteful and elegant. A servant waited dutifully to remove his cloak and boots while another stood by with a warm cup of cider. Merrick no longer drank wine, ale, or spirits, and was amused to see this accommodation taken into account. He sat in the drawing room, surrounded by burgundy furnishings and dark wood paneling, sipping his drink and listening to the pop of the fireplace.
A knock sounded at the door. He nearly rose to answer when he spotted one of his new servants trotting to the foyer.
“Where is she, Merrick?” he heard an angry voice shout.
A moment later the valet led two men into the drawing room.
“Please have a seat, both of you.” Merrick reclined in his soft chair, warming his hands with his cup. “Would either of you care for a drink before we conduct business? My servants can bring you whatever you like, but I must say the cider is especially good.”
“I said, where is she?”
“Relax, Mr. Deminthal, your daughter is fine and I’ll bring her down shortly. You fulfilled your end of the bargain brilliantly, and I always honor my commitments. I merely wish to go over a few details. Only a formality, I assure you. First, let me congratulate you, Wyatt. May I call you Wyatt? You’ve done an excellent job. Poe’s report gave you extremely high marks.
“He tells me you were instrumental in getting Royce and Hadrian on board, and even after the unexpected sinking of the Emerald Storm, your quick thinking saved the ship’s orders and the mission. I’m especially impressed by how you won over Royce’s trust—no small feat, I might add. You must be a very convincing fellow, as demonstrated by how you persuaded the Port Authority that Royce and Hadrian were in Tur Del Fur to destroy Drumindor. I’m convinced it’s only by your skill and intelligence that the operation was such a wonderful success.”
Merrick took a sip from his cider and sat back with a grin. “I have just one question. Do you know where Royce and Hadrian are now?”
“Dead. By the Ghazel or the Tur Del Fur officials, whoever got them first.”
“Hmm, I doubt that. Royce is not easy to kill. He has gotten out of much more difficult situations before. I would say he leads a charmed life, but I know all too well what kind of life he’s lived. Still, I wouldn’t even trust Death to bind him long.”
“I want my daughter—now,” Wyatt said quietly through clenched teeth.
“Of course, of course. Mr. Poe, would you be so kind as to run up and bring her down? Third door on the left.” Merrick
handed him a key. “Seriously, Wyatt, you’re a very capable man. I could use you.”
“Do you think I liked doing this? How many hundreds of people are dead because of me?”
“Don’t think of it that way. Think of it as a job, an assignment, which you performed with panache. I don’t see talent such as yours often, and I could find other uses of your skills. Join with me and you’ll be well compensated. I’m working on another project now, for an even more lucrative employer, and I’m in a position to make a great many good things happen for you. You and your daughter can live like landed gentry. How would you like your own estate?”
“You kidnapped my daughter. The only business I’m interested in doing with you is arranging your death.”
“Don’t be so dramatic. Ah, see? Here she is now. Safe and sound.”
Poe escorted a little girl down the steps. She was around ten years old, her light-brown hair was tied in a bow, and she wore an elegantly tailored blue dress with fine leather shoes.
“Daddy!” she shouted.
Wyatt rushed over, throwing his arms around her. “Did they hurt you, honey?”
“No, I’m okay. They bought me this pretty dress and got me these shoes! And we played games.”
“That’s good, honey.” Turning to Merrick, Wyatt asked, “What about Elden?”
“He’s fine, still in Colnora. Waiting for you, I presume. Wyatt, you really need to consider my offer, if for no other reason than your own safety.”
Wyatt spun on him. “I did your job! You sat there and told me I did it brilliantly! Why are you still threatening us?”
Merrick looked at the girl. “Poe, take Allie in the kitchen. I think there are some cookies she might like.”
Wyatt held her to him.
“Don’t worry, she’ll be right back.”
“Do you like cookies?” Poe asked her. The little girl grinned, bobbing her head. She looked up at her father.
Wyatt nodded. “It’s okay, go ahead. Hurry back, honey.”
Poe and Allie left the room hand in hand.
“I’m not threatening you. As I already said, I’m very pleased with your skills. I’m merely trying to protect you. Consider for a moment, what if Royce is not dead? He’ll put two and two together, if he hasn’t already. You should be afraid of what he’ll do to you—and your daughter. Royce will probably kill Allie first and make you watch.”
“He’s not like that.”
Merrick released a small chuckle. “Oh, sir, you have no idea what Royce is like. I’ll grant you that his association with Hadrian Blackwater has tempered him greatly. Twelve years with that idealistic dreamer have made him practically human, but I know him. I know what lurks beneath. I’ve seen things that make even my hardened heart shudder. Get his anger up, and you’ll unleash a demon that no one can control. Believe me, he’s like that and so much more. Nothing is beyond him.”
Allie returned with a handful of sugar cookies. Taking her other hand, Wyatt headed for the door. He paused at the threshold and looked back. “Merrick, if what you say about Royce is true, then shouldn’t you be the one who’s afraid?” Wyatt walked out, closing the door behind him.
Merrick sipped his cider again, but it had gone cold.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND NAMES
ADAM: Wheeler from Ratibor
ADDIE WOOD: Mother of Thrace/Modina, wife of Theron, killed in Dahlgren
ALBERT WINSLOW: Landless viscount used by Riyria to arrange assignments from the gentry
ALBURN: Kingdom of Avryn ruled by King Armand and Queen Adeline, member of the New Empire
ALENDA LANAKLIN: Daughter of Marquis Victor Lanaklin and sister of Myron the monk
ALGAR: Woodworker in Hintindar
ALLIE: Daughter of Wyatt Deminthal
ALRIC BRENDON ESSENDON: King of Melengar, son of Amrath, brother of Arista
ALVERSTONE: al-ver-stone Dagger used by Royce
AMBERTON LEE: Hill with old ruins not far from Hintindar
AMBROSE MOOR: Administrator of the Manzant Prison and Salt Works
AMILIA: Carriage maker’s daughter from the small village of Tarin Vale
AMITER: Second wife of King Urith, sister of Androus
AMRATH ESSENDON: am-wrath Deceased king of Melengar, father of Alric and Arista
AMRIL: am-rill Countess that Arista cursed with boils
ANDROUS: Viceroy of Ratibor
ANNA: Chambermaid of Empress Modina
ANTUN BULARD: Historian and author of The History of Apeladorn, passenger on the Emerald Storm
APELADORN: ah-pell-ah-dorn Four nations of man, consisting of Trent, Avryn, Delgos, and Calis
APELANESE: Language spoken throughout the four kingdoms of men
AQUESTA: ah-quest-ah Capital city of the kingdom of Warric, seat of power for the New Empire
ARBOR: Baker in Hintindar, married to Dunstan, shoemaker’s daughter
ARCADIUS VINTARUS LATIMER: Professor of Lore at Sheridan University
ARCHIBALD BALLENTYNE: Earl of Chadwick, commander of Sir Breckton, promised providence of Melengar for service to the New Empire
ARISTA ESSENDON: Princess of Melengar, daughter of Amrath, sister of King Alric
ARMAND: King of Alburn, married to Adeline
ARMIGIL: Brew mistress of Hintindar
ART, THE: Magic, generally feared due to superstition
ARVID MCDERN: Son of Dillon McDern from Dahlgren
AVEMPARTHA: Ancient elven tower, home of Gilarabrywn, which attacked Dahlgren
AVRYN: ave-rin Central and most powerful of the four nations of Apeladorn, located between Trent and Delgos
AYERS: Proprietor of The Laughing Gnome in Ratibor
BACKING: Rigging a sail such that it catches the wind from its forward side; having both backed and regular rigged sails can render a ship motionless
BAILIFF: Officer who is employed to make arrests and administer punishments
BALDWIN: Lord whose landholdings include Hintindar
BALLENTYNE: bal-in-tine Ruling family of the earldom of Chadwick
BANNER: Crew member of the Emerald Storm
BA RAN ARCHIPELAGO: Island of the goblins
BA RAN GHAZEL: Goblins of the sea
BARKERS: Refugee family living in Brisbane Alley of Aquesta; father Brice, mother Lynnette, sons Finis, Hingus, and Wery
BARTHOLOMEW: Carriage maker of Tarin Vale, father of Amilia
BARTHOLOMEW: Priest in Ratibor
BASIL: Officers’ cook on the Emerald Storm
BASTION: Servant in the imperial palace
BATTLE OF MEDFORD: Skirmish that occurred during Princess Arista’s witch trial
BATTLE OF RATIBOR: Skirmish between Nationalists and Imperialists
BELINDA PICKERING: Extremely attractive wife of Count Pickering, mother of Lenare, Mauvin, Fanen, and Denek
BELSTRADS: bell-straads Noble family from Chadwick, including Sir Breckton and Wesley
BENTLY: Sergeant in the Nationalist army
BERNARD: Lord Chamberlain of the imperial palace
BERNICE: Former handmaid of Princess Arista, killed in Dahlgren
BERNIE DEFOE: Topsail crew member of the Emerald Storm, former member of the Black Diamond thieves’ guild
BERNUM HEIGHTS: Wealthiest residential district in Colnora
BERNUM RIVER: Waterway that bisects the city of Colnora
BERYL: Senior midshipman on the Emerald Storm
BETHAMY: King reputed to have had his horse buried with him
BIDDINGS: Chancellor of the imperial palace
BISHOP: Lieutenant aboard the Emerald Storm
BLACK DIAMOND, THE: International thieves’ guild centered in Colnora
BLACKWATER: Last name of Hadrian and his father, Danbury
BLINDEN: Quartermaster’s mate on the Emerald Storm
BLYTHIN CASTLE: Castle in Alburn
BOATSWAIN: Petty officer who controls the work of other seamen on a ship
BOCANT: Family who built a lucr
ative industry from pork, second wealthiest merchants in Colnora
BOTHWICKS: Family of peasant farmers from Dahlgren
BRAGA, PERCY: See Percy Braga
BRECKTON: Sir Breckton Belstrad, son of Lord Belstrad, brother of Wesley, commander of the Northern Imperial Army, knight of Chadwick, considered by many to be the best knight of Avryn
BRIGHT STAR, THE: Ship sunk by Dacca
BRISTOL BENNET: Boatswain on the Emerald Storm
BRODRIC ESSENDON: Founder of the Essendon dynasty
BUCKET MEN: Term for assassin used by the Black Diamond thieves’ guild
BULARD, ANTUN: See Antun Bulard
BURANDU: bur-and-dew Lord of the Tenkin village of Oudorro
BYRNIE: Long (usually sleeveless) tunic of chain mail worn as defensive armor
CALIAN: cal-lay-in Pertaining to the nation of Calis
CALIANS: Residents of the nation of Calis, darker in skin tone, with almond-shaped eyes
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