Nature Abhors a Vacuum (The Aielund Saga Book 1)

by Stephen L. Nowland

  “Did Mister Bartlett follow the other man out that door?” Aiden queried, knowing the answer but wanting confirmation.

  “Yes, practically running out of here,” the secretary breathed. “The other one was that Robert fellow who talks with Mister Bartlett all the time.”

  “They talk often do they?” Aiden pressed. “Do you know what about?”

  “Here now, what's all this about anyway?” she asked imperiously. “If you've done something to upset him, I should warn you that Mister Bartlett is a powerful man in this town and he can make things very difficult for you and your associates.” Pacian stepped forward to answer this one. Aiden had good reason to believe he wasn't going to be entirely truthful to the lady.

  “Madam, the Royal Rangers have important, legal business with your employer, and you would do well to co-operate with us,” he bluffed. Aiden wasn't sure about the secretary, but if he didn't know better, he would have been convinced. While Pacian continued talking, Aiden glanced around outside to see if there was any sign of the two men, but as he suspected, they had disappeared into the crowd.

  “He's not in trouble is he?” the secretary asked anxiously. “I'm sorry but I really need this job.”

  “Don't worry,” Pacian assured her. “I won't tell anyone the information came from you.” That seemed to satisfy the woman, who relaxed a little.

  “I don't know what they talk about exactly,” she explained, “But I do know from the company ledger that he's paying Mister Black a considerable sum of money. For what, I couldn't tell you.”

  “Interesting. Thank you for your time, Madam,” Pacian said. “You may hear from the Sergeant of the Guard in the near future - please co-operate with her in any way she asks.”

  “Certainly, Ranger,” she replied obediently. “Will that be all?”

  “Yes, thank you for your assistance, it is appreciated,” Pacian finished, smiling and leading the others out through the door into the cold outside air once more. He looked like he was about to say something, but Aiden shook his head and pointed down the street. Pace nodded, and let Aiden take the lead.

  “I can see why people join up with the guards,” Pacian mused, his breath misting in the cold air. “I could get used to throwing around a little authority like that.” Colt, who had been crouched down looking for any obvious tracks their two suspects might have left on the ground, stood up and towered over him threateningly.

  “If you ever impersonate a Ranger again,” he growled, “I'm going to shove that uniform down your throat.”

  “But isn't that what you're doing right now?” Pacian replied sarcastically. “There you are, wearing ranger armour after they kicked you out. Am I wrong?”

  “Hey, settle down,” Aiden ordered. “We have more important matters to discuss. Colt, back off. Pace did well to get us the information. It's not like he murdered a box of kittens to do it.”

  “This time,” Colt muttered, easing back his posture but continuing to scowl at Pacian.

  “I'm not sure I understand everything that just happened,” Sayana admitted, rubbing her hands together to keep warm.

  “I'm amazed you could follow what was going on, with all that flirting you were doing,” Pacian teased, grinning slyly.

  “I was not,” she protested, blushing profusely.

  “Look, their conduct was fairly incriminating,” Aiden interjected, “and if nothing else, they need to have a long talk with Ariel about their possible involvement.”

  “What do you think that could be though,” Sayana pressed. “I do not understand why a man like Robert would do such a thing.”

  “You really are smitten,” Pacian remarked incredulously. “He's a scumbag, plain and simple. Doesn't matter how nice he looked in those fine clothes, he's probably laughing at your naivety right now. Trust me, I know people like that.” Sayana didn't reply, but appeared sullen after being on the receiving end of Pacian's philosophical views.

  The sergeant was still dealing with paperwork when they arrived back at the barracks, and Aiden thought he detected relief on her face when they showed up.

  “I swear this pile is getting bigger, no matter how fast I work,” she muttered, casually gesturing at the mound of papers awaiting her attention. “So, how did it go with Bartlett? Did you manage to even speak with him?”

  “Getting in to see him wasn't an insurmountable problem,” Aiden assured her. “I don't think he's the one who wrote the note. He has a mercenary working for him by the name of Robert Black. Same initials, and I got a bit of a reaction out of him when I mentioned the diggers under the crypt had perished. I think he's our man.”

  “That doesn't come as a huge surprise, actually,” Ariel replied, her full attention on the matter at hand. “Black is the commander of the Steel Tigers mercenary company, so for whatever reason, he wants to circumvent Culdeny's wall for some future operation. I think I better go and bring them into custody for questioning at once.”

  “Both of them ran off as soon as they knew that we knew what they were up to,” Pacian advised. Ariel cursed loudly with a choice of words one doesn't normally hear from a lady.

  “I'll have my people keep an eye out for them,” she said after calming down a bit. “I'll set up some wanted signs to post around the town. I imagine they'd be out the gate by now, but hopefully we'll get lucky. That's about all I can do with the resources at my disposal, and I’m not about to go up against a full mercenary company to try and bring him in. Next time you go and interrogate a suspect, try sitting on them.”

  “If we see either of them in our travels, I'll be sure to bring them in,” Colt offered.

  “I appreciate all the help I can get,” Ariel said. “But I think it's likely they went to re-join the rest of the Steel Tigers – that's over a hundred heavily armed men. If you do meet them, I'd suggest running.”

  “Sound advice, Thanks sergeant,” Aiden responded. “Good luck with the rest of your investigation, we'll stop in the next time we're in town to see if there have been any developments.”

  “As you wish. Oh, Aiden, one more thing,” Ariel added as they were heading out the door. “The mayor came by a little while ago and asked if I had any spare soldiers to send down to Coldstream and Bracksford. Don't look so shocked, he may appear to be a selfish fop, but he really does the best he can, given the situation.” Aiden held his breath, hoping for good news but expecting the worst.

  “I'm sorry, I really wish we had more people, but if I send anyone down there, I have to leave something up north here unprotected,” Ariel said hesitantly. “It doesn't matter what I do, one way or another, a part of the region is going to be vulnerable. My first duty is to this town, Aiden. Maybe if my husband was here he'd have a better answer for you.”

  “Thanks again for your help, sarge, I know you’re doing your best,” Aiden conceded.

  “Why has your King taken away so many warriors?” Sayana said, unexpectedly. “What could be so important that he would risk the lives of your people like this?” Ariel looked at her impassively for a long moment, and Aiden wasn't sure she was even going to reply.

  “Ordinarily I would not even consider telling civilians,” the sergeant replied eventually. “As wife of the captain of the town guard, I am privy to a lot of information that shouldn't be disseminated amongst the public. But in this instance, your service to myself and this community means I can be more forthcoming than I otherwise would be.” Colt leaned over and closed the door, while the others took an unconscious step towards the desk where Ariel sat.

  “The King has declared war on Tulsone, our neighbouring country to the west. He didn't mention his reasons to any of us here in Culdeny, so I can't really tell you much more than that, except that there was a great deal of negotiation between our two countries for several months prior to the declaration, and this is the first time Aielund has declared war on anyone in its history.”

  “We've fought wars before,” Colt reminded her.

  “They were defensive actions, like
the Battle of Fort Highmarch,” Ariel disputed. “This is the first time we've gone on the offensive, and I can't tell you why.”

  “What reasons could there be, aside from conquest?” Aiden said bleakly. “Maybe His Majesty decided his country wasn't big enough anymore, just like every other conqueror in history.”

  “I don't have any more answers for you Aiden,” Ariel offered sympathetically. “But keep what I've told you amongst yourselves. Wild public speculation isn't going to help the situation. Good luck to you all.”

  Somewhat dejected, Aiden and the others started walking back to the inn before deciding on their next move. The lack of military assistance from Culdeny for his home town left him in a bleak mood. He pondered the remaining options as they sat down in the common room.

  “You look a bit down,” Colt observed with rare clarity. “Your folks live in Coldstream right? I can see why that'd be a source of concern. Fortunately for you, I've got something that'll cure that right quick. I'll be back in a minute.”

  “I bet it’s beer,” Pacian remarked after Colt had disappeared amongst the crowd of sailors and other local people populating the common room.

  “And just when he was starting to sober up, too,” Aiden added. “I hope he doesn't go overboard.”

  “Who said you could sit there?” a tall man barked at them, suddenly appearing out of the throng to stand imposingly over their table. “This place is for men - I think you three are looking for the children's table.” Three of his drinking companions next to him laughed uproariously at this witty remark. Their casual attire and tanned skin hinted that they were sailors. Pacian looked blandly at Aiden, his hands slowly moving towards the dagger on his belt.

  Sayana looked up at the men dangerously, and Aiden thought he could see a glow coming from underneath her tunic. He shook his head slightly, indicating she should keep cool and Pacian should avoid creating a bloodbath over this minor incident.

  “I'm in no mood for games, so I'll say this plainly,” Aiden said to the lead man. “You want this table? You can't have it. So unless you want to see what the inside of your own arse looks like, you'll go find someone else to bother.” The wide grin from the big sailor told Aiden that was exactly what he wanted to hear. He seemed ready to start a fight, but was shoved aside a moment later by a short, broad-chested fellow with a beard that was familiar to Aiden.

  “I'm sorry to bust in on yer group like this,” Clavis MacAliese said with seeming innocence. “But I think we have some unfinished business to discuss, isn't that correct, Mister Wainwright?” Despite his diminutive stature, the appearance of the dwarf startled the surrounding men.

  “Say, don't I know you? Yer faces are awful familiar to me,” Clavis said to the sailors.

  “I don't think so, dwarf,” their lead man replied doubtfully. “And we were just leaving. C'mon lads, let's go get some more rum.” Without another word, all four of them hustled off into the crowd in search of somewhere else to be. Clavis sat himself down on an empty chair and grinned at the three companions.

  “Yer welcome,” he chuckled and took a large swig of his drink.

  “They looked like they knew you from somewhere,” Aiden observed, breathing a sigh of relief. “Somewhere painful.”

  “I may have schooled them on the sweet science,” Clavis shrugged. “It's hard to remember. Last night is still a bit of a blur to me.”

  “He didn't look like he'd been beaten into unconsciousness just last night,” Aiden remarked.

  “My friend, all his bruises are below the waist,” Clavis winked and sipped his mug of ale. Colt had the good grace to show up at the table carrying two mugs of ale at that moment.

  “Are ye going to introduce me to yer mates, Aiden?” the dwarf inquired.

  “In a moment, I'm just waiting for the final member of our group to arrive. No sense repeating myself if I don't have to. Thanks for your intervention,” he said to Clavis. “I don't think there's much I could have said to those men that wouldn't have ended up in fight.”

  “Och, ye did just fine lad,” Clavis assured him. “But I'm pressed for time and didn't want to waste it on yet another fight.”

  “Did I miss something?” Colt asked.

  “Large men making insults,” Sayana replied blandly. Colt merely grunted in reply, apparently unsurprised by the news. Clavis leaned forward to speak directly to Aiden.

  “I have to ask ye, do ya have an answer for me yet?”

  “That's what we're here to discuss,” Aiden assured him, spying Nellise appearing out of the crowd in front of the table, carrying a sack over one shoulder. “Pull up a seat Nel, I have a proposal to make.”

  “Thank you Aiden, although I trust you aren’t about to suggest marriage,” she replied with a faint smile. Pacian quickly stood, acquired a chair from a nearby table, and held it, gentleman-like, for her to sit at.

  “A business proposal,” Aiden clarified, not in the mood for light banter. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is Clavis MacAliese, adventurer and entrepreneur. Clavis, may I present Pacian Savidge, Nellise Sannemann, Sayana Arai, and... Colt.”

  “It's a pleasure to make yer acquaintance,” Clavis said, grinning at everyone. “I don't know if Aiden here has told ya, but I've a proposition to put to ye that'll be of benefit to us all, should we be successful.”

  “What kind of proposition?” Nellise asked, smiling at Pacian's manners. Clavis spent some time detailing his plans to visit Ferrumgaard, and his desire to return ancient dwarven artefacts to their new homeland. When he was done, he leaned back in his chair and enjoyed the last of his ale, patiently waiting to hear what they all thought. Pacian was the first to speak.

  “Is there likely to be lost treasure in this place?”

  “Depends how deep ya want to go,” Clavis shrugged. “The upper floors have long been picked clean by casual visitors, but the lower levels, aye the lower levels be the best place to scavenge. I won't promise ya anything lad, but ye never know what ye'll find in the halls o’ Ferrumgaard.”

  “What is your interest in this, Aiden?” Nellise asked curiously. “Clavis has been quite forthcoming about his reasons, and though they are interesting, I don't understand why that concerns you.” He shifted uncomfortably, having known this was coming but still not ready to tell them all about his motivations.

  “If there's treasure to be found down there, I could use them to hire mercenaries to defend Bracksfordshire,” he said, walking a fine line with the truth. “We're certainly not going to find help for them any other way.”

  “I suppose that makes sense. I can't say I'm terribly interested in finding lost treasures, but I could always donate my share to the church. Frankly, after the events of the last week, I was hoping for something more sedate, but I suppose in these troubled times it’s hard to avoid the dangers that abound. Besides, what would you do without me, hmm?”

  “Die horribly,” Aiden drawled.

  “I will go also,” Sayana quietly added. “I would like to see this great fallen city of which you speak, though I care little for any riches that lie within.”

  “You say that now,” Pacian scoffed, “but as soon as you lay your eyes on a diamond, you'll suddenly find you're really interested in riches.” Sayana gave him a confused look, which just made Pacian laugh out loud.

  “Before you even ask me,” Colt interrupted, “I want to point out that place is cursed, and a lot of people who go in there don't come out again. I think you're all fools for even considering it, especially you,” he said, looking at Clavis.

  “I did'na twist yer arms, lad,” he replied, chuckling. “If ya don't want to come, ya don't have to.”

  “Fine, I’m just warning you is all,” Colt grunted. “But if the ghosts of ten thousand dead dwarves suck the life from our bones, you've only got yourself to blame.”

  “Good, then it's settled,” Pacian declared, taking a swig of his drink. Nellise stood up and placed a heavy sack on the table.

  “I had a long talk with the Archioness
today,” she explained wearily. “I won’t bore you with the details, but suffice it to say she said that by helping you, I'm serving the country and God, so I don't have to go back to doing menial chores around the church. Part of me was hoping she would prevent me from joining you, I must confess, for this life you all seem so comfortable with does not sit so well with me.”

  “None of us asked for this, Nel,” Aiden reminded her. “I certainly don’t go around looking for people to fight, but I hope you realise how valuable your assistance has been to us. We are helping the Kingdom, in our own small way, even if it is a little outside your field of expertise.”

  “It’s nice to hear my efforts have been appreciated,” Nellise replied with a warm smile. “I’ll continue working with you for now, especially since I’ve gained the support of the Church.”

  “What's in the sack?” Pacian asked curiously, poking it with one finger.

  “Medicines, tinctures, unguents and potions,” she explained in grand fashion. “Courtesy of the Church of Aielund. Should we run into any difficulty - and our track record suggests we will – these will help keep us healthy, free of disease and able to perform to our potential. I'll take this upstairs, and then I have a few errands to run before we head out.”

  “There's no rush,” Aiden said, ignoring the look he received from Clavis. “It's too late to leave now anyway, so I was thinking we could start out early tomorrow morning.”

  “That's all well,” Nellise replied, trying to squeeze past the back of Colt's chair, “but if we're going to be heading into harm’s way, I want to acquire some better equipment first. Unless you can assure me we won’t be in peril?”

  “There may be peril,” Clavis admitted. “I can't guarantee it will be peril-free.”

  “Straight from the horse's mouth,” Nellise sighed, shaking her head.

  Chapter Nine

  The prospect of sitting around the table watching Colt drinking himself into oblivion wasn't very appealing to Aiden, so he decided to accompany Nellise to the local smithy. Sayana also saw the wisdom of being somewhere else at the present moment and tagged along silently, as usual.