Mortals & Deities

by Maxwell Alexander Drake

  It was late. The small yellow moon, Treynor, had set, leaving only Sainor to light up the darkness with its silvery luminance. The fleeting thought of just walking in and taking the horses and supplies crossed his mind, though he did not think he could stoop to thievery. Besides, he felt the Order owed him at least this much. If someone really was waiting in Sar’Xanthia who could answer his brother’s questions, mayhaps they knew how to change him back as well. Cure him of being a Mah’Sukai. This would stop the Order from hunting him. So, in that manner of thinking, any supplies they provided would help to rid the Plane of the Mah’Sukai. Basically, the same as killing him, only without the killing part.

  Besides, Alant seems sane. Mayhaps whatever the Elmorians did to him is not the same as if he had actively sought out becoming a Mah’Sukai on his own. Or, they have simply lied to me.

  If lie they did, then any supplies he procured would be their punishment. Though, thinking of Larith and Rinear, or Ragnor and Clytus for that matter, none of them seemed the type to lie. Larith was a bit eccentric, that was for certain. Arderi felt more comfortable thinking mayhaps they had simply gotten things wrong. His brother was not a monster. And even if what happened to him eventually changed him into one, it had not been of his choosing. He was not going to let his brother die for something that was not his fault. Whatever he had to do, however far he had to travel…

  I will pay what needs be paid!

  Reaching the gate, he looked around the courtyard. All was quiet. Pirra, the young man who stood watch through the eve was not in sight. Truth be told, Pirra was several winters older than Arderi, yet Arderi saw him as younger than he. Arderi tried to keep his voice low so as not to wake anyone in the villa. “Pirra.” He flinched when his call echoed though the silent courtyard.

  Within moments, Pirra came out of the barn. “Hail, Master Arderi. You are back late this eve.” Pirra was a scrawny stick of a man. Acne had scarred his face, and even though he was still young, most of his dark hair had vacated the front half of his head. It was doubtful any woman would find him attractive.

  “Aye. I did not mean for my business to keep me away so long. It will be good to be in bed.” It still seemed odd to Arderi that none of the staff knew anything of the Tat’Sujen Order. Only Ragnor did, though Arderi suspected Clytus’ widow, Mis’am Rillion, knew as well. The rest believed the Rillions ran a mercenary troop. Which they did. Or at least did until Clytus had gotten the majority of the men, along with himself, killed. Everyone here had been told that Arderi was a distant cousin of Clytus’. This pacified them. He had learned that a distant cousin staying at the villa was not uncommon.

  Once Pirra let him in, he headed directly to his room. He lay down, certain he would get little sleep this night—the events that had transpired this eve still overwhelmed him. Still, he knew he needed at least some sleep before they left on the morrow.

  He was correct, of course. Lying in bed for what seemed like aurns, his mind raced. First, he busied himself making mental notes of what supplies they would need. Next, he mulled over the conversation he would have with Ragnor.—convincing his mentor not only to give him what he needed, yet also to let him go alone. He pondered all this in great detail, staring at the shadowed ceiling. When sleep finally took him, it felt like only moments had passed before someone shook him awake.

  “You slept in your clothes last night? Were you out so late?” Ragnor stood smiling down at him.

  Sitting up, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. “Aye, Master De’haln. I was out a bit late.”

  Ragnor turned and headed for the door. “Well, up with you, lad. Mistress Di’Anty do have firstmeal on the table. You know how she gets if you let her food grow cold.”

  He watched the black man leave before he rose and washed his face in the basin. Grabbing his pack—he had put everything he owned in the bag last eve—he headed down to eat.

  The kitchen sat empty save for the cook, and Arderi realized it was much later than he had thought. A plate of steaming eggs and ham sat on the counter waiting on him, and he sat at the stool in front of it.

  When she finished rummaging through the cabinet, Darma turned and smiled one of her large, motherly smiles. “Well, it seems you finally decided to wake this fine day, huh?”

  A sheepish grin sprang to him before he could stop it. “Aye, Mis’am Di’Anty. It seems Master De’haln knew I stayed out late last eve and let me sleep in.”

  “Aye, he did at that.” A frown crept to her face. “He babied Clytus much the same.” With a shake of her head, she pointed to his plate. “Hurry and eat before it gets cold. Eggs are just not as tasty once they lose their heat.”

  Her statement made his grin grow. “Aye. My thanks to you. I am starving.” Just as he took a bite, a small brown-headed boy came running in.

  Though Sindian was still small for his age, Arderi marveled at how fast he had recovered from the ailment he had seen in the boy the first time they met. Not six moons gone, the boy could barely sit up in bed without a fit of coughing racking his skinny frame. He remained skinny, as most boys of seven winters were. Still, he had filled out considerably after the Shapers healed him. His stamina had risen to that of any boy his age. He looked so much like his father that it gave Arderi a mix of both joy and sadness each time he came near. “Hail, Master Cor. And good morn. Can I watch you and Master De’haln practice swords again this morn?”

  Reaching out and ruffling his hair—he always hated it when someone had done that to him when he was Sindian’s age, yet he could not resist doing it himself—Arderi finished swallowing the food in his mouth. “I am afraid there will be no sword practice this day, Sindian.”

  “Really?” The big booming voice of Ragnor made both boys jump. “And why would that be?”

  Arderi had meant to broach this subject at a time of his choosing. Not with a fork stuffed into his mouth. Swallowing, he picked up the cup of cold honeyed-milk that Mis’am Di’Anty placed in front of him and took a long drink. When he set the empty cup down, he stood. “My thanks to you, Mis’am Di’Anty.” Turning, he pointed toward the front of the house. “Could we speak in private, Master De’haln?”

  Following the Silawaian out to the front courtyard, a pit developed deep in Arderi’s stomach. Of all the scenarios that had played out in his head last eve, this was not one of them. When they reached the fountain, Ragnor turned. “Aye, lad. What is it that be on your mind?”

  “I—” And just like that, everything he had planned to say while lying in bed last night seemed wrong. How could he have thought he could convince this man to give him horses and supplies—enough to sustain three people for at least a moon—and not get him strung up by his ankles?

  “You found something last eve while you were out, I be guessing.” Ragnor crossed his muscular arms over his chest. “Be at ease, lad. There be no shame if you found this Mah’Sukai and were too afraid to follow him. I be no certain I would have done different. At least now we know what area of the city he be in. Just tell me what happened and we will go out together and see what can be done.”

  Then Arderi understood. The plan had been for Arderi to find the Mah’Sukai and follow him. Try and see where he hid. One lone young man walking the city would attract much less attention than two. Plus, Ragnor was fairly well known. Once Arderi had tracked the Mah’Sukai and found out his location, he was to return and tell Ragnor. The fact that he decided to confront their target last night had been spur of the moment. He became so afraid at the time that he had simply reacted. One moment he had been sure he would never find the Mah’Sukai, the next he had followed him into a dark alley. “Nix, Master De’haln. It is not that.”

  “You did no find this Mah’Sukai, then?”

  The thought of lying to this man made Arderi sick. Yet, he could think of no way to answer the man’s question truthfully. “Nix. I did not find him. I think he is leaving the city, however.”

 
Ragnor’s eyes widened and he reached out, grasping both of Arderi’s shoulders. “You think, or he has? Tell me true! If we let this monster slip through our fingers…” Releasing his hold, he started to pace. “We need to get you closer.” Spinning, he clapped his hand to the back of his head. “How could I be so stupid? You should be staying at an inn in Gatetown! There be one just across from the main gates. When he walks through the gates he will be close enough that you will feel him.” His hand fell away. “Or, do you think he has done left?”

  “Nix, Master De’haln. He is still in the city. It is just—”

  “Good.” He started for the stables. “There be still time, then. Go, grab your things. We will have you in one of the rooms of the Swans Landing within the aurn.” Without looking back, Ragnor disappeared into the stables.

  Arderi did not head back into the house. Instead, he followed Ragnor. “Master De’haln. You need to listen to me.” Not that he had any idea of what he should say.

  Turning, Ragnor stepped back and grabbed him by the elbow forcing him toward the villa. “There be no time. If the Mah’Sukai be leaving as you think, we must be at the main gates so you can point him out to me.” Releasing his arm, Ragnor took on a serious look. “Do no fear. I will handle things once we come to that.” A big grin spread across his fat lips. “Though, after what you did to that Kithian, I be surprised that you be so timid about using Dorochi. Now go.”

  This was not going to work. He could not let this man take him to the main gates. If that happened, he would never be able to break away. “Master De’haln. I know where the Mah’Sukai is going.”

  “Well, why did you no say earlier! That makes things—”

  “Nix!” In frustration, he ran his fingers through his hair and walked back to the fountain. Large gold and yellow fish swam over to him, waiting for him to toss in some breadcrumbs. He had hoped this would work out differently. Though he saw no other path. Certainly, last night he had come up with several ways to get what he needed from the man. Each one ending with Ragnor wishing him well on his journeys. He had been a fool. Ragnor would never let him leave. Not until the Mah’Sukai—his brother—lay dead. That was not an option. Steeling himself, he spun and walked back to the man. “When I first arrived—when I brought you Master Rillion’s message—you bonded yourself to me.”

  A cautious, guarded look came to Ragnor. “Aye. I did at that.”

  “You said you would always be faithful to me.”

  “Aye.” Crossing his muscular arms in front of him once more, his frown deepened. “What do you be working toward, lad?”

  “I need you to uphold your vows now.” Arderi stood tall and straight. “I need to leave here. Alone.”

  “Now just one bloody moment!” Ragnor no longer looked guarded. He looked ready to kill. “If you think you can go off and be a hero, this is no bard’s tale, lad. A Mah’Sukai can kill with a thought.”

  Thinking of his brother flinging lightning from his hands made Arderi shiver. He flexed his right hand before looking Ragnor in the eye. “I am not trying to be a hero, Master De’haln. Still, I have to ask you to trust me. I cannot explain myself, yet I need three horses and enough supplies and coin for at least a moon’s travel.”

  The look of anger on Ragnor’s face melted into amusement as Arderi spoke. “Lad, why by all the gods would you be needing all that? If I do remember, you can no even ride!”

  I should never have come back here.

  “Master De’haln.” Nix, his voice sounded like a pleading child and he needed to be heard as an adult. It was the only way he could come out of this with what he needed and not have Ragnor toss him into a sack. “Ragnor. If you are sworn to me as you say, then I am going to say this as simply as I can.” His anger reached its peak, yet he did not care. He had spent enough time on this. “I need the supplies and horses. And I need to leave here alone. It is the only way to find the Mah’Sukai.” Poking his finger into the big man’s chest, he realized he was yelling. “And if you do not give me what I need, I will just leave without them! I am the only one who can locate this man. Either let me go with what I need, or say farewell.”

  “How can this be?” Ragnor threw up his hands. Looking around, he made certain they were alone before he continued. Even still, he lowered his voice. “You have been here for no even two tendays. I will say your sword skills have improved, and the fact that you did use your abilities to draw Dorochi before that Kith ripped out your throat did be impressive. Yet, there be no way I am going to let you get yourself killed by this monster.”

  “My brother is not a monster!” As soon as the words left his mouth, a shiver ran down his spine and he threw a hand over his mouth.

  Ragnor froze as well—eyes wide and nose flaring. “What did you say?”

  Shifting his feet to a defensive stance, Arderi let his hand drop to the hilt of his sword. He had beaten Ragnor during a few of their training sessions. He was not certain that the older man had given it his all, however, and Arderi was not sure if he could best him with naked steel.

  With a grimace, Ragnor glanced at Dorochi before locking his gaze on Arderi. His words came out chilled like ice. “I said, what did you say, lad?” His hands remained at his sides, and for the first time Arderi realized Ragnor stood unarmed.

  “The Mah’Sukai. The one we have been hunting. He is my brother.” Tensing his muscles, he prepared to pull his sword when the man lunged.

  Ragnor did not lunge, however. Instead, he turned and stormed into the barn leaving Arderi standing alone in the courtyard. He made to follow the older man, and then hesitated.

  What if he went in to get a weapon?

  Glancing over his shoulder, an urge to run filled him. His bag still sat in the kitchen. If he hurried, he could scoop it up and be out of the villa before this turned worse than it already had.

  Before he moved, however, Ragnor came out leading two horses. “Go in and get saddles for these, lad.”

  Shocked, Arderi could not move. “What—what are you doing?”

  Dropping the lead ropes of the two horses, Ragnor reached up and rubbed the stubble on his chin. “I am no sure what you be after, lad. Still, in the time we did be together, you have shown me you be true of heart.”

  “So you are going to let me go?” Arderi could not believe his ears.

  “You risked everything to save Clytus’ son. If this be as you say, and the Mah’Sukai be your brother, then to my eye, the situation has changed. I can no expect you to stand around and let him die.” Turning, Ragnor headed back into the stable. He came out with two saddles stacked one on top the other. Arderi stepped up to him and took one, then Ragnor set the second on the ground. “I can assume you have a plan?”

  Without taking his eyes from his work, Arderi spoke over his shoulder. “Aye, we do. Alant—that is my brother—he knows a place he can go for help.” When he finished cinching up the girth, he turned to pick up the second saddle and saw Ragnor leading out two more horses. “I only need three.”

  “Aye, for you and yours. I will be needing one for me, however.” Not waiting on an answer, Ragnor disappeared back into the barn. Moments later, he returned with two more saddles. “My vow includes protecting you. I will no let you go off on your own.” When Arderi stood to argue, Ragnor pointed a thick black finger at him. “This no be up for discussion, lad. If you do plan on leaving here, you will be leaving here with me.”

  While the two men busied themselves with tacking the horses, Arderi studied Ragnor. His vows may include protecting him. Still, they also included being faithful to the Tat’Sujen Order.

  What if he is simply going along with this so I will lead him to Alant? He may try and finish what he thinks I can no longer do. Still, I do not see any other way.

  The Mah’Sukai sat across from Elith, eating. The common room of the Fisherman’s Dock looked about as appealing as the porridge-like gruel he shov
eled into his mouth. She, herself, had eaten worse. Still, she had expected more from him. The few patrons in evidence, all shoddily clad men, looked like they had slept here in the common room—or passed out in it. The bare wood floor was in desperate need of work. Many of the tables and chairs showed signs of damage as well. Even the serving girls—she knew they were not slaves, though she saw no difference in the way the owner of the inn treated them—looked as if they had all led hard lives.

  Pointing his wooden spoon at her, the Mah’Sukai pushed his bowl toward her a bit. “Are you sure you do not want any? It does not have an off taste this morn.”

  “She is sure.”

  Spending the entire eve with him had been one astonishing discovery after the next. Although the priests had never discussed what the Mah’Sukai would be doing when she found him, hiding in a run down shack of an inn in the poorer section of Mocley was not what she had expected. With the power he held, she did not understand why he would reside this way.

  “You do eat, do you not?” He had asked her questions like that ever since his brother had left late last eve. She made him nervous. She was used to that. Even back home most were wary around her.

  “Aye, she eats.” Reaching up, she adjusted the hood of her cloak to ensure her face was covered. Being in a room full of Humans, even one as dimly lit as this, made her feel exposed.

  “Do you always refer to yourself as she?”

  Question after question. Then more questions.

  It seemed that every time she answered one, he asked ten more. “She does not know what you mean.” The few aurns he slept last eve while she sat leaning against the door in his room had been the only time he had not asked her questions.

  “Each time you speak, instead of saying—”

  The abruptness at which he stopped speaking caused her to tense. Slipping a hand across her lap, she fingered the hilt of one of her throwing knives. She hated sitting with her back to the door. The Mah’Sukai had insisted, however. Now she regretted letting him have his way, for she could not see who approached.