The Key To The Grave (#2 The Price Of Freedom)

by Chris Northern

  Dubaku inclined his head. “I apologize. My reaction was unmeasured. But I could not see harm come to these innocents,” he indicated the children. “And what this one,” he gestured to the corpse, “planned to do to them is an abomination.”

  Dammit, he wasn't wrong. The Necromancers were vile and deserved opposition. Ishal was one of them and he was surely my enemy, but to be sure of taking him down I needed allies. And here they were. The enemy of my enemy, and all that. “They have enemies. Maybe that's something we can work with.”

  Dubaku smiled, just a little. “You are going to change the plan.”

  I nodded. Hell yes, I thought. “Let's get clear of here and find out what this headman knows before we make a decision,” I said. But in my heart the decision was made.

  #

  “They took us in our sleep.”

  We had travelled a good way further before making camp at dusk. There were lights both near and far from the lanterns burning from the windows of scattered farm houses. I felt secure enough to allow a fire. There were enough lights in the night so that we wouldn't stand out too much. Rian, the wife of the headman, and Jocasta had set about cooking a meal without discussion, as though they assumed it was their job to do it. I let it stand; I was actually curious to find out if Jocasta could cook. Not that I was expecting anything wonderful from the provisions we had available. Sapphire was keeping a watch on the road, a few dozen yards distant. That hadn't been discussed either; doubtless he would come and wake someone when he was ready.

  I was putting off having a drink by talking to Jek, the headman.

  “And your people just stood by and let them?”

  Jek shook his head. “It wasn't like that. Furnan, the one you killed, he came alone at first, a wandering priest, one of many who came to the area this last year. He talked fair enough, and we have a tradition that allows freedom to follow what gods you will.”

  Dubaku snorted in derision and I shot him a glance to shut him up. “So the soldiers came later?” I asked.

  “In the night, last night. I guess now that Furnan had been turning my people against us for a time, working them up to this,” he shook his head, trailing off to silence. The betrayal had obviously hit him harder than he had earlier admitted.

  “How many are there? These priests. And what do they preach?”

  He shrugged. “I don't know how many, they move around from place to place, but not many. In the north I have seen the places they control. Briefly. There is no freedom to trade there, no profit in the journey. Once I would seek out new bloodlines for the livestock...” he shrugged. “It doesn't matter. The blackrobes say there is but one god, and that life is a test, a burden he places on us to find those worthy to join him in spirit. The selfish will suffer at his hand and the selfless will be exulted.”

  I stopped paying attention right there. It was a common theme of religions, or what little I had read of them. Worthless in life, worthy in spirit; weak in life, strong in the afterlife; self-sacrificing in life, rewarded in the afterlife; and so on and so on. Teachings designed to make people meek and obedient. Designed to make people sheep for wolves to prey upon; for, make no mistake, there will always be wolves who think of themselves as predators and other men as prey. Any man who teaches that meekness and suffering are virtues is not your friend, but a predator or tool of predators or, at best, merely a fool. But it is an insidious teaching, it is comfort for those who have nothing, and there will always be more people with little than those with much. The thought that poverty in life will be rewarded is a comfort to some, and that those who have more than you will be punished is a comfort for others. For myself, I think it is better to struggle to achieve all you can in life. Life is for the living, as we say. Time enough to worry about your spirit when you are dead.

  “So, there are few. They preach revolution, but only in secret until they are ready to move? Do you think you are the first here?” How coordinated are they? That's what I wanted to know.

  He shook his head. “I don't know. At least, I didn't. Now I think I do. No, we are not the first. I had heard two rumors from other villages; one told that the headman had gone mad and murdered his family before fleeing into the night. Another that the headman and his family were killed in a fire. I guess that those villages at least are under the control of these...”

  “Necromancers.”

  Jek nodded. “Blackrobes. Not all of them have the powers of the true Necromancers of Battling Plain.”

  “You knew who he was? And let him preach?”

  Jek shook his head. “The blackrobes are priests, as I said. I didn't know they were the same, not until he made his threats. Then it was clear that the blackrobes and the necromancers of the north are one and the same. The necromancers of Battling Plain were always so few, holding to their town and the area around it...”

  I held up a hand to stop him. I wanted the information but for now I wanted to know what was happening here. “So you now think they have taken control of two nearby villages?”

  He nodded, looking both worried and thoughtful. “So I guess. And I have heard some rumours of conflict in Learneth itself.”

  “Conflict?” I prompted.

  “Magistrates killed, replaced, factions growing, some fighting in the streets.” He shrugged. “Just rumours.”

  Good. Factions meant that Ishal did not have the whole town in his hands yet. There would be something to work with. “So they are growing and spreading their influence. As far as Gerria, beyond the mountains, where we stopped them.”

  “We?”

  I told him who I was. I wanted his help and cooperation and that kind of thing is not best built on a lie.

  “And that is your interest in this, Lurians? Do you seek to spread your influence north once more?”

  I smiled. “We are the friends of traders everywhere.”

  He looked speculatively into the flames. “I'd like to go south, one day. To see the city.”

  “Travel there as my guest, if you help us now.”

  “The famous city bargain,” he smiled. “Be sure you phrase your words carefully, for the cityman will adhere to the words, not the intent. And if you bring your armies here, Sumto, what then?”

  “We only bring armies to bear against our enemies, never our friends.”

  “In war, everyone suffers.”

  “Sometimes there is no choice. Your enemy has already found you, and is our enemy also, and that makes us allies.”

  “I am only one man, headman of only one village. Not even that, now. What would you have me do?”

  It was a good question. “Persuade others to your cause; spread the word of what happened. What would you do if we were not here? Not nothing, I think.”

  Jek nodded acceptance of that. “I must act. I have family and friends. I will go to them and rouse them to action if I can. The magistrates of Learneth are the final authority; they must be made aware of what is happening, though I now suspect that some at least know at least something. I will not let these Necromancers take my people's lands without opposition.”

  “That is all I ask. I can arrange for a small force to be sent to your aid, and all we will ask in return is free trade with your people.” I did not tell him that that force was already on its way.

  He sighed. “The city bargain. Once before you sent an army here, built forts, traded with our people. What you brought then is what you would bring now – change.”

  “There is nothing so certain as change. And was it not change for the better?”

  He shrugged. “It was generations ago. How can I tell? Before, the tribes were free, each a law unto itself. After a time the tribes were united under the rule of the magistrates. Before, our society was our own; after, it was a mirror of yours. Better or worse, who can say? Thankfully the decision isn't mine. What I can do to oppose the Necromancers, I will do. If the magistrates allow you to bring an army here, if they deem it necessary, then so be it.”

  “Can you bring us safely
into Learneth, to a meeting with the magistrates so that I can offer our aid and present our case?”

  Jek nodded. “I think so. No-one in Learneth will challenge my right to travel in the city, and I think I can arrange that you are able to speak to the council of magistrates. But I cannot answer for what their response will be.”

  “I should tell you that I think the Necromancers have allies in the council, and I have no idea who they are.” Ishal had gathered a force from Learneth in short order. Someone must have given him that authority.

  Jek lowered his gaze to the fire and sighed. “So I now think also. But nothing worthwhile is ever easy. You will be taking a risk then, in travelling with me to Learneth?”

  “Yes. Nothing is certain. We are at this moment pursued by Ishal Laharek, another Necromancer; he has with him twenty warriors of Learneth and I don't know why they follow him or how he raised them so quickly. I don't know enough about Learneth to guess. Who controls the warriors of the city? Who can give them legitimate orders?”

  “There are eighty warriors of the city guard, twenty each under the command of the four magistrates who hold the joint responsibility for keeping order in the city. Any one of the four could have given the order. So, at least one magistrate is under their influence. Why does he chase you, this Ishal Laharek?”

  “He seeks knowledge of city magic,” I touched the stone set in my forehead, “and he knows that we have it. It seems they are seeking power of any kind, wherever they can find it.”

  “Tomorrow we will move toward Learneth. We will trade for old clothing from a farm or two along the way and disguise you as locals; no one will question me if we quickly outrun any lies that might spread from my village.”

  I shrugged. “With the Necromancer dead, I'm willing to risk that no lie will be either thought of or spread.”

  He nodded. “It may be as you say. In any case I have enough influence to ensure you get a hearing before the council, I think, but if as you say there are already enemies within, that hearing may not go well for you, and then I am afraid you will bring strife to my people.”

  “It is already here,” I told him, “As you saw yourself.”

  He nodded. “True. We are already in the fight, my friend. Now all that remains is to make sure my family survive it.”

  #

  “Tell him I plan to offer them the status of friends and allies of the city.”

  I saw Sapphire nod in the gloom of the night. So far I had let him report to my father as he saw fit; he had found time to digest the information that Dannat's father had prepared for us and doubtless relayed that information, but now I wanted to be sure my father knew what I planned.

  “With imperium, I have the authority, so I don't need his permission. Make it clear I am informing him as a courtesy. The Necromancers are a clear threat to us and we will need allies here and a base in order to deal with the problem.”

  Another silent nod. His attention was fixed on the road.

  “Better our enemies focus their attention here, where we choose, than closer to the city itself. See if Uncle Orlyan will send two cohorts across the pass. I might need them, one way or another.” I was going to take us back to Learneth, into the thick of things. The fact that I was running short of booze had nothing to do with my decision. Nothing whatsoever.

  “And if he won't?”

  I shrugged. “In any case we get word to Meran and my two centuries to move here fastest. As soon as we get to Learneth someone will have to go on from there and get a message back to them. I can't recruit here, these people aren't citizens and have no loyalty to me, but if I can find mercenaries then I can hire them. Either way, we deal with this here and now – make Learneth a target and have the enemy attack it or retreat from it before we move on.”

  “What about Ishal?”

  “He'll still come after us. I'm betting on it. Openly if he and his allies in Learneth are bold enough, but I'm betting they aren't ready yet. We'll be ready for him when they are. We will have to see what the situation is in Learneth when we get there, and then work with it.”

  “If they accept friend and ally status they will be your clients.”

  I smiled into the night, just briefly. “The thought had occurred to me.”

  “And if he is bold enough to move openly against us? If we are recognized and the town guard attempt to arrest us? If he or another Necromancer has the city in his fist already”

  “We don't let them, of course. We go in cautiously, try politics. Later, with Meran and my centuries we can do it the other way if need be, but Jek is confident he can get me a hearing before the magistrates. I need to speak to Dubaku.” I'd meant to do so at some time, to find out more about the abilities of his ancestors. Now it couldn't wait any longer. I needed to know what he could do.

  “I'll inform Valarian of your plans."

  There he was, calling my father by his first name again. “How did you meet him?”

  He glanced at me briefly, then away. “He inherited me.”

  It didn't explain how they were on first name terms. In fact, it didn't explain much of anything, but he didn't say anything more so after a while I left it that. “I need to go and speak to Dubaku.”

  “You said.”

  So I left him there, standing in the dark, watching the road.

  Dubaku was wrapped in blankets by the fire and I knew he would not respond well if I woke him, so that would have to wait. Jocasta sat nearby; she was the only one awake, obviously waiting for me. All of a sudden, I didn't know what the hell to say to her. Here she was, recently freed and I was just about to take her back into danger. I tried a smile on for size and it didn't feel like it fit really well. Still, she smiled back as I came close and then sat beside her at the fire. I was closer to the heat than I liked, but it didn't hurt much. I ran my hand over my scalp, feeling the stubble growing there; it was longer than I remembered. Soon I'd have a full head of hair again. I ran one finger over each eyebrow. Yup, eyebrows too. And my face. Damn, I'd have to start shaving soon

  Jocasta giggled. “You look fine,” she said.

  I smiled ruefully. “It's not something I think about much.”

  “No, you never struck me as vain.”

  I shrugged. “What's to be vain about? I'm not particularly good looking.”

  She snorted gently, holding back a full blown laugh with difficulty. She reached out and gripped my thigh, getting her laughter under control. “Oh, my dear sweet man. You really believe that, don't you?”

  I could feel myself blushing. What difference did it make how I looked, for gods sake? I mean, well, I knew I was not ugly, but just didn't think it mattered. “Is this where I'm supposed to compliment you?” I put on a mischievous smile.

  “It wouldn't hurt, but I wasn't fishing for compliments. I know how I look; not as flawless as my sister, but not as flawed in the head, either.”

  My turn to snort with suppressed laughter. “Unkind, but true. I never properly thanked you for your gifts.”

  “The ones you lost?”

  “I still have this,” I touched the stone in my forehead.

  “So you do.”

  “And you are beautiful, Jocasta. Don't doubt it.”

  She fluttered her eyelashes at me, very deliberately. Then, apparently deciding it wasn't enough, scooted round and lay across my lap, dramatically, “Oh, Sumto,” she said, mimicking her sister's voice perfectly, “Our love is as undying as the stars.”

  “And burns brighter,” I said. “I'm sorry I'm putting you at risk again.”

  “Best steal a kiss before they kill me,” She cupped one hand behind my neck and pulled herself up to kiss me.

  I met her halfway. It seemed only fair. She has nice lips, my Jocasta.

  “Seriously, though,” she said after a few pleasant moments. “I'd be happier if I had some stone. Any amount would do. I can't help you much without it.”

  “Do you think I'm right to go into Learneth?”

  She sighed. “Not
right or wrong. Until Ishal is dealt with we can't move on, not freely. Learneth is as good a place to face him down as any. I'd like to know more, but as Jek said, the fight is here, best start punching.”

  “He didn't say that.”

  “I was paraphrasing, how do you like it?”

  I smiled. “Well enough. I wanted to talk to Dubaku, to find out what he can do.”

  “He has a lot of ancestors, many of them have skills.”

  “I wish I knew whose side he was on.”

  Jocasta just raised an eyebrow, not so subtly hinting that I did know. And she was right.

  “I know, he is on his own side and nothing wrong with that. I do wish he would be a little more forthcoming and not make me push for every piece of assistance I wring out of him.”

  “Have you looked at it from his point of view?” She said.

  I hadn't, much.

  “I find that helps, sometimes.”

  Hmmm. Well, ok. What did he want? How much did he want it? Why should he help me? The line of reasoning was not straight but it all came together quite simply, really. I hadn't exactly done much to help him achieve his goals; and I could, easily enough. If I had the names of all his kin that were taken, and I knew he would know all their names, then I could have people searching for word of them for hundreds of miles in all directions. My father could take care of it. I could relay the message through Sapphire and my father. No, I'd need to send a letter back with all the damn names. It would have to wait for now but I could do it. If I promised to do that, Dubaku might be a bit more forthcoming.

  “Now that's why I love you,” I told her, and meant it. “Catch me being stupid again, feel free to speak up.”

  “I will,” she said.

  Sounded like she meant it.