The Aduramis Chronicles: Volumes 1-3: The Definitive Collection

by Harrison Davies

  ‘Be careful,’ Jericho hissed, and dodged out of the way.

  Marrok smiled to himself, glad that he had gone first. The thought of any amount of that stuff landing on his face, in his eyes or mouth was too much to think about.

  Some light crept in between the slits of the grill above him and lit the way, and it wasn’t too long before he was pushing the grating upward an inch or two with a scrape of metal. He pushed his head up as far as he could and twisted it left and right, looking for signs of life. ‘The coast is clear, Jericho, come on up.’ A moment later he heard a familiar sucking sound and felt vibrations reverberating through the iron ladder.

  Not a minute later, Jericho was at his heels and hissed for him to proceed. Marrok checked once more that the coast was clear and pushed the heavy iron grating aside. It screeched like a sick cat and set his teeth on edge, but he was out of the hole in a flash and held out a hand for Jericho to grasp.

  Seconds later Jericho was stood beside him. They quickly checked their bearings and jogged down the street, which was again strangely empty. They had just passed the inn they had brawled in when a hooded figure swept out from an alleyway on the opposite side of the road. A guard? Jericho and Marrok both attempted to melt into the surroundings and hide in the shadow of a recessed doorway to a warehouse.

  ‘Hey,’ the figure called and raised a hand at them.

  Marrok was first to run, followed by Jericho.

  ‘Stop,’ cried a second voice.

  A female by the sound of it, Marrok thought.

  ‘Stop you, idiots … it’s … Aniol and Zaruun.’

  Marrok stopped, and Jericho barged into him.

  ‘What did you stop for?’ Jericho asked, annoyed. He had not heard Aniol yell.

  Marrok turned and smiled. He pointed at the two figures bearing down on them. ‘It’s Aniol and Zaruun.’ He chuckled in relief.

  Jericho breathed deeply and laughed with him. ‘Never tell anyone I ran from a girl,’ he whispered.

  Marrok snorted and shook his head. He reached out a hand in greeting but wasn’t surprised when the newcomers reacted badly to their presence.

  ‘Oh, what on earth have you been doing? You stink worse than a cow shed, and resemble the back end of a sheep. Stay away,’ Aniol protested, and held her nose in disgust.

  ‘So would you if you’d spent the afternoon holed up in a sewer tunnel.’ Jericho scowled.

  ‘I’m sorry … what did you just say?’ Zaruun laughed. ‘A sewer. Oh, wait till they hear about this back home.’

  ‘You will tell no-one; you hear? Or I’ll –’

  ‘Jericho, we don’t have time for this, the guards could still be looking for us. We must get into hiding, and fast,’ Marrok reminded.

  ‘Yes, yes, of course. Aniol, Zaruun, I will explain all when we are away from here. We are heading to the rendezvous,’ Jericho said, and began to jog once more.

  The others followed suit, and soon they were making good time. Ten minutes later, they were racing down a steep incline and crunched along the stony shoreline of the lake. They headed left and kept to the cliff face so as not to be spotted, and soon they rounded a jutting out section of rock and there they were, Captain Dalia and her troops. She had placed guards as lookouts who had spotted them long before they had arrived and simply waved them through.

  Dalia had been informed, of course, and raced across to them, a worried look on her face. ‘You are cutting it fine,’ she declared. ‘Where are the archmage and curator?’

  ‘All in good time,’ Zaruun replied. ‘First, those two need to get cleaned up.’ He gestured with a thumb to Jericho and Marrok.

  Captain Dalia barely recognised them with their filthy faces and clothing. ‘I won’t ask what happened. I will organise new clothing, then we can talk. I’m sure you have lots to say.’

  Jericho nodded, and he and Marrok sauntered towards the lake, stripping themselves of their dirty cloaks and clothing until they were naked at the shoreline, wishing the water was warm. Of course, it wasn’t, and they shivered for several minutes as they scrubbed and washed every crevice they could find.

  They raced out of the water and hopped up and down, clutching at their torsos in the vain hope that this would somehow warm them up. Instead, Dalia raced to them with fresh cloaks and tried, only barely, not to peek. ‘Cold is it, boys?’ she snickered.

  ‘Why … don’t you … take a dip … and find out for yourself?’ Jericho’s teeth chattered so loudly that the sound echoed back off the cliff.

  ‘I think I’ll just leave you to warm up.’ Dalia smirked and headed away, humming a tune.

  After a while of running up and down the beach and sitting in front of a cosy fire, the generals had warmed up sufficiently to talk without chattering and relayed their story. There was stunned silence, and a consensus that he was not to blame for the innocent’s death. As grateful as he was to hear their sentiments, the only person that could absolve him of all responsibility was Laliala, and he was dreading having to tell her what had happened.

  Darkness had crept in while they had been talking, and now Zaruun spoke to the assembled.

  ‘As we speak, Archmage Menin is hatching a fully formed plan to infiltrate the palace. She has requested that we all join her in the home of a resistance sympathiser. I suggest we travel in pairs and take different routes. I will draw a map to the location.’ He picked up a smooth stick and drew in a patch of sand the path to Sonny’s house. ‘The house is identified by a flag which is embroidered with a stack of gold coins. Please study the map and make your way there when relieved. Do not stop for anything, unless it is the city guard. If they question you, you will tell them that you have imbibed too much alcohol and you are heading home. Is that clear?’

  Each of those present nodded that they understood.

  ‘There is one problem you’ve overlooked, Zaruun,’ Aniol said quietly.

  ‘What is that?’

  ‘None of those here will be able to understand the guards and vice versa.’

  Zaruun slapped his forehead with his palm. ‘Of course. Scrap that last order. The guards will not be able to understand you due to a language problem. Just find a way to communicate your drunkenness and desire to head home to bed. Is that clear?’

  The gathered began to fidget now, they understood perfectly and had all sat too long patiently waiting. Now was their time when they would prove their worth to the cause.

  ‘Captain Dalia,’ Jericho added. ‘Please leave a couple of soldiers behind to guard the boat.’ He paused. ‘In fact, please send one of your men to locate a second vessel. There should be a fish quay further around to the left of our location. I am sure he will find it if he follows the cliff.’

  Dalia nodded and clicked her finger. At once, a small and wiry woman joined her side. ‘Do as the general asks. Return quickly; we may need to make a quick exit.’

  ‘Aye.’ The soldier saluted and raced away into the darkness without hesitation.

  ‘Dollip, Morind. Stay with the boat, and assist Rneya when she arrives with a second. Be ready to cast off at a moment’s notice. Ensure any provisions we have remaining are secured in the boats.’

  The pair saluted and nodded.

  ‘The rest of you, split into two and head off at two-minute intervals. Got that?’

  A hush spread around the remaining troops, and Dalia beamed, happy that they all understood.

  The fire was doused, and each soldier collected their belongings, attached weapon belts to their waists and hid their swords beneath long, thick cloaks.

  ‘Off you go then.’ Dalia nodded to two tall men at the head of the group.

  Immediately they set off and were soon lost to the darkness, the map committed to memory.

  Len’i, the hulking orc, tapped Marrok on the shoulder. ‘Do you think it wise that an orc venture into this city? Perhaps they have never seen my kind, and it may attract attention.’

  Marrok chewed his lip. ‘I have a feeling we will have need of you this ev
ening. If there is one here tonight I’d like at my side, it would be you. Here, take my cloak and disguise yourself as best you can.’

  Len’i felt a sense of belonging and pride at being included in the plan, and took the proffered cloak and donned it as best as he could. It was way too small for him, but it would suffice to cover his orc features, and if he stayed in the shadows, he should pass by any curious onlooker without attracting too much attention. ‘I will not let you down, General.’ He nodded his thanks to Marrok and gave the generals some space.

  Marrok looked to Jericho. ‘Do you really think we can pull this off?’

  ‘There’s only one way to find out,’ Jericho replied with a half-smile.

  FINAL PREPARATIONS

  Coinin looked out of Sonny’s study window and into the darkening night. Two shadowy shapes headed up the slick steps to the house, hunched over against a downpour that had begun to lash against the window several minutes ago.

  ‘Someone is coming,’ Coinin declared, craning his neck to see who now stood at the main door to the house.

  ‘Who is it?’ Sonny asked, again his fear showing.

  ‘I will go and see.’ Coinin shook his head and disappeared from the study. A couple of minutes later, he and two sodden Brotherhood soldiers stood at the threshold to the study, dripping onto the wooden beams of the floor, leaving puddles underfoot. ‘Two of our men,’ Coinin advised. ‘More are on the way.’

  Sonny saw the pools of water running in rivulets and coming quite close to soaking his expensive study rug. He cursed. ‘Please take them to the basement, have cook give them something warm, just please don’t drip on my floor.’

  Over the course of the next hour, more and more soldiers arrived, finally culminating in the return of Aniol and Zaruun with Marrok and Jericho in tow. They vanished underground briefly and then returned drier than when they had first arrived. Marrok carried a sizeable wedge of home baked bread and a thick green pea soup. They joined Menin and the others in Sonny’s study and Marrok proceeded to sit and eat, after being introduced to the master of the house. Jericho hovered at the periphery, lost in thought.

  Sonny wasn’t too pleased with the invasion of his home and showed it with the odd scowl or cluck of his tongue when he witnessed a near spill of soup or a dirty boot leave a mud stain on his rug. The sooner these people are out of my life, the better, he thought.

  ‘Now that everyone has returned safely, I think we should move ahead with our plans,’ Menin suggested.

  Before anyone else could speak, Jericho marched to where Menin stood. He knelt before her and bowed his head.

  Menin cocked a brow and looked around the room. Marrok avoided her gaze. ‘What is it, Jericho? Speak.’

  Marrok shook his head. This could have waited, he thought.

  Jericho let out a deep sigh of despair. ‘Archmage, I have sinned against the father. I have broken his law. An innocent has died at my hands this day,’ he said solemnly.

  Marrok stepped forward. ‘It was not deliberate, I myself witnessed –’

  ‘Thank you, General. I will decide what is deliberate and what is not.’ Menin appeared both angry and hurt. She peered down at her friend with a pitying look. She had a role to play, and that was to decide if there was guilt to answer for and to enact any punishment required, only this was the worst possible time for this matter to come to light. She closed her eyes briefly and composed herself. ‘Tell your tale, brother.’

  ‘Marrok and I were following a lead that could secure a way into the palace, using an invitation for an audience with the king. We had learned that a prominent figure, Lord Warital was collecting taxes nearby. We sought him out, and sure enough, he was there with two guards going about his duty. I had decided to wait until he had completed his task and then approach the man to request a meeting to discuss an application to see the king. As I approached, I was momentarily blocked by a cart, and masked men attacked the lord and his guard, likely for his gold. I acted immediately, drew my sword and ran to the lord’s aid, only at the last minute, the lord swung in my direction, and I ran him through.’ Jericho bowed his head further and gave a little cough. ‘Please, forgive my transgression.’

  There was an uncomfortable silence, and Sonny appeared visibly shaken at the news. He’d had many dealings with the lord, and it now seemed that their partnership was at an end.

  Menin said nothing for the moment and looked around the room. She was concerned that this was all very public. Not the ideal scenario for a confession of such kind. She was torn. Her friend had confessed to a serious charge, and she had a duty to uphold the law. If Jericho had truly killed an innocent, then she would decide his fate based on the available facts. ‘General Wulf, may I please hear your side to the tale?’

  Marrok coughed and looked uneasily at her. All eyes were on him, and he felt uncomfortable. ‘With respect, I cannot add, nor can I take away any of the general’s tale, other than to say that Lord Warital ran into the sword by mistake while fleeing his attackers. Jericho … the General, made it sound as if he had deliberately run through the victim.’

  ‘Thank you, General.’ Menin paced for a moment pulling at her bottom lip with her thumb and forefinger. ‘Tell me, General Jericho, why did you make it appear as if you had deliberately run this man through? General Wulf tells a differing tale.’

  ‘Shame and dishonour. I killed an innocent man, and I am guilt ridden. His family have lost a loved one today.’ Jericho’s voiced cracked as he spoke. ‘I am a soldier. I kill only the enemy.’

  Sonny coughed. ‘If I may, Archmage? This man, although a business partner I have known for many years, is an enemy of the people. He has tortured and killed thousands in the name of the king, for the pure pleasure of it, I’ve heard.’

  ‘So you have not witnessed this man act in this manner yourself?’ Menin dug deeper.

  ‘Actually, yes, I have witnessed several such acts. Monthly, Warital will hold public executions in the palace estates. The majority are executed most brutally, on very little grounds, as a warning to anyone considering rebellion towards the king. Hence, this is why the resistance movement has been growing in recent years. He has persuaded the king to continue the fighting in Bream and has been instrumental in rounding up citizens of Rodine whom he believes to be spies for the other side.’

  ‘You and others have declared war on him and his ilk?’ Menin probed, hiding a revulsion for Sonny and his revelation that he had seen innocents die and had done nothing about it.

  ‘Certainly,’ Meone said. ‘He has caused more suffering than even the king himself.’

  Menin turned once more to her most trusted friend. ‘When did this transgression take place, General Jericho?’

  ‘It was mid-afternoon, I’d say, by that time the lord had concluded his business.’

  ‘We arrived here early afternoon and struck an accord with the resistance and by that very definition have become its military arm,’ Menin declared, and her eyes teared with relief. Punishments for killing an innocent were severe to the extreme. ‘Therefore, it is my judgement that General Dareth Jericho is absolved of all wrongdoing. Lord Warital is a casualty of war, and I see no need to bring this matter to the Mage Council.’

  A collective sigh of relief reverberated around the room. Unashamedly, Jericho wept, not in relief, but for the family of the victim.

  ‘Come on, snap out of it, General. We have much work to do,’ Menin said, not unkindly. She offered her hand to Jericho and helped him stand.

  Jericho bowed to her and saluted. ‘My life is yours, milady.’

  Menin rolled her eyes. ‘Sonny, how soon can we acquire the guard uniforms you spoke of?’

  Sonny pursed his lips. ‘I will need to send word to my contact.’ He scrambled for a piece of parchment and a quill and quickly scribbled four lines upon it. “Have a plan. Two dozen guard uniforms needed. Meet at the warehouse. Eight this evening.” After carefully folding the paper and sealing it with a dark red wax seal, he then marched to the
study door, flung it open and yelled, ‘Grent, I need you!’

  Coinin wondered why he had not rung his service bell. But he didn’t have time to wonder for long as Grent appeared out of nowhere.

  ‘Yes, Master.’

  ‘Take this to … your nephew –’ The name was lost as Sonny leant in close to the old woman and whispered his instruction. He needed to protect his contact’s identity, if not his face, then the name.

  Grent took off as fast as she could, which was no more than a crawl. She would obtain transport from the carriage house and stables on the corner of the street. There, she would alight a hansom and be taken to the palace. She would be permitted access since she was known as the doddering aunt to the guard she was asked to meet and posed no threat to the king.

  Of course, she was not his aunt, but the barracks’ guards were none the wiser.

  Sonny crossed the room and rang the service bell and then turned to all in the chamber. ‘You must all be fatigued. My home is yours for this evening. We have a couple of hours before I meet my contact. Please visit the kitchens, find something to eat, and rest. I have far too many rooms in which to take solitude.’ He sounded quite genuine for a man who despised the intrusion. Though to him, he would be rid of these people very soon, and that was his chief desire.

  Coinin turned to Menin and whispered, ‘We had best make a careful watch of our host.’

  Menin pursed her lips and nodded. ‘I thought the same.’

  ❖

  The hours passed peacefully. People snored around him, catching a well-earned break. Coinin had not slept, his mind too full of what ifs. Should everything go wrong tonight, the world may very well die with them.