Coran found that the cellar they were in was large enough for them all and more. A crack in the upper foundation let in a ray of light, but the primary illumination came from lanterns set on the straw and dirt floor. Some boxes and a few barrels were stacked up against one wall and some rickety stairs ran up the opposite wall. Most likely into whatever the building above them was.
The man who had opened the door frowned at Miko. “You said a man and a woman. You did not tell me he was Anagassi.”
Miko smiled at the man. “That is because he isn’t.”
Coran took that as a cue. He lowered the cloth that covered his face to reveal his identity. The man gasped in surprise.
“A Midian?” Then his expression changed to worry as he rounded on Miko. “Are you crazy? Bringing a Midian here at a time like this?”
“Calm yourself Terk,” Miko told him. “No one knows he is here.”
The man called Terk visibly took hold of himself. “I am sorry. These are dangerous times. You are all welcome here.” He attempted a smile to reassure them of his hospitality, but it only made him appear more nervous.
“Is this the right time for talking?” Coran asked.
Miko looked to Terk, who was the one who answered. “What do you need to know?”
“Information. I need to find out what Elthzidor is planning. If possible I need to know the strength of his forces, here in Lornth and in the north. I also need to know how many will help us if it comes to a fight.” Coran knew he was asking a lot, but he didn’t have time for pleasantries.
Terk seemed taken aback by his directness. “He knows what he wants and gets down to business,” he said to Miko, not unhappily. “If getting trade contracts were so simple, I would have more time on my hands than I would know what to do with. I need to speak with the others first. After that I will have something for you.” Terk ducked his head and left by way of the second set of steps.
When he left they automatically started to make themselves comfortable. “We can unsaddle the horses. Terk will bring some fodder for them when he has a chance,” Miko announced, sending them into motion.
Coran was glad to have something to do. “Will he have any to spare if things are as bad as they appear?”
“He will. He is a trader. Traders always have extras hidden around for emergencies.”
“Who did he mean when he said he had to speak with the others?”
“Friends, other traders, people who are not happy with the ways things are. There definitely seems to be change in the air. I remember Terk would never even think of questioning Sha’elt when he was younger. Now he seems lost, confused,” Miko said sadly. “I suppose losing faith in one’s god can do that to a man.”
Coran was quiet as Miko became lost in his own thoughts. This must have been what that other fellow told them about, where Daes Shael Karands were considering if She’al might not be a better god.
Shirri dumped her mount’s saddle onto the floor. “What now?”
“Now we must wait for Terk,” Miko told her as he placed his saddle down with more care than she had displayed.
It was night by the time Terk returned. The three of them had requisitioned some of the boxes to serve as chairs, and they sat with their backs against the brick walls of the cellar. Terk pulled over a box for himself, then passed out an apple and fresh bread to each of them. Coran bit into the apple gratefully. The dried fruit they had eaten left much to be desired when compared to the real thing. Shirri was attacking her food as well. Miko took a bite of his bread, the apple he set aside for later.
Terk watched them eat as he spoke. “Your needs may be difficult. Some of the others may be hard to convince.”
Coran took a moment to swallow while he gathered his thoughts. He didn’t want to offend a man who was helping them. “Do you think it is in your best interest to side with Elthzidor or with Midia?”
“Must we make a choice, or should we stay out of it and wait to see who comes out on top?” Terk smirked questioningly in response.
“You know you must. If Midia falls, then Makkura’s rule here will not end.”
“If you are successful in defending Midia from attack, what will happen to us? Will Elthzidor leave us then?” Terk’s question was not quite filled with anger, but was one of overwhelming concern for his people.
What could he say to that? Elthzidor would not leave here until he was driven out. Coran couldn’t promise any help from Summerhall either. For one reason he had no authority, and for another he didn’t know if the Alliance would be in any shape to send help even if they did win. He decided to try the truth. “I can’t promise anything, but if I can I will try and help you after Midia is safe.”
“If you have any doubts I will vouch for him,” Miko added. “I have told you who his father is.” He glanced at Coran then back to Terk. “I have already placed my life in his hands.”
Terk pulled on his mustache, lost in thought. They ate while they waited for him to decide. Finally he looked at Coran. “My people are oppressed. Not just by this Elthzidor, but by the Zahrs as well. They talk of war against She’al and Midia when people are starving. Many of us want to change the way things are. More of us than you might believe. The people want change but they wouldn’t stand a chance if they tried by force, and force will be needed. All we need is a leader, the right leader to tell us how to do it.” He paused and cleared his throat. “If you can, will you return and help us?”
Coran kept the wince from appearing on his face. He was making far too many promises on this trip. If he survived, he would be kept busy for a very long time keeping them. Was it fate stepping in once again? He made a promise to Ruan and he happened to free the man’s sister. If that wasn’t a sign of fate he didn’t know what was. Would this be the same? All he really wanted was to go home.
“Yes, if I can, I will.” Once again he had little choice if he wanted their help.
“Good,” Terk announced. “I will bring you what information we can. You must stay down here tonight and tomorrow. They are searching the city for three outsiders.” He gave them a knowing look. “Something about finding two Makkuran corpses and a mysterious Anagassi who entered the city and now cannot be found. After they are finished searching you can come upstairs for a short time. I will take the horses and put them in my stable. They might get confiscated, but they can’t stay here.” He eyed Shirri’s clothing. “I will bring you something that should fit you better.”
They thanked him politely before he left. A little later Terk brought them blankets for sleeping, and led the horses away one at a time. They laid the blankets out on the hard, dirt-packed floor. Shirri put hers close to Coran’s. Miko put out all the lamps but one. As Coran laid on his back he watched the orangish light as it flickered across the ceiling planks. He had to come up with some ideas on what to do here. If there was some way to destroy that fleet he had to find it.
“Coran?” Shirri’s whisper came to him from a foot away. She was leaning on one elbow, watching him intently. Her dark hair hung down from her head, the ends touching the ground.
“What?” he asked quietly, trying to sound agreeable. He didn’t want to risk her temper.
“What is Summerhall like? I have heard that the walls shine when the sunlight hits them.” She sounded genuinely curious, and her tone lacked its usual bite.
“They do. The whole city does when the sun is out. Some days it can be blinding,” he explained, glad to talk about something other than where they were.
“Did you grow up there?”
“Not exactly. I lived in Tyelin until I was nine. That is up near the Central Mountains. Lots of sheep,” he smiled.
“We have that in common. I too grew up around lots of sheep.” Her return smile was thin. It was the first time he could remember her smiling. “Why did you leave?”
“My mother died, and my father decided to move to Summerhall.” He found that it wasn’t as difficult to talk about as it used to be. “That’s the place I think of
as home.”
“I am sorry about your mother,” she said sincerely. There was an awkward silence before she spoke again. “Do you have a woman?” She was strangely hesitant as she asked.
“Yes,” he replied, “I do. We are going to be married.”
“Is she your age?”
“Younger. She is sixteen.”
The thin smile returned to her lips. “You seem older than you look. You should have an older woman.” Shirri ran her fee hand through her dark brown, nearly black hair. “Tell me, is she as pretty as me?”
He thought that Shirri was an attractive woman, but he wasn’t about to tell her that she was a candle’s flame compared to the bonfire in his mind. “Good night,” he said as he rolled onto his side facing away from her. He tried to sleep as she chuckled at him nearby.
The corridor was long and torches were inadequately spaced to cover the entire length. He walked through areas of darkness between those islands of light. There were no doors anywhere along the rough stone walls. Something was looking for him and he needed to find the way out before if found him. He kept walking with long, quick strides around corners and down halls identical to each other. He finally stopped before an ironbound door. He had seen that door before, but he couldn’t remember where. Behind that door was danger, he knew that much, and made up his mind to get as far from it as he could. Turning around he saw a figure standing there, blocking his way. It was a figure completely concealed by a dark robe. The figure raised a hand and a ball of fire danced above its palm. He tried to move but his feet were frozen to the stones of the floor. The figure was going to hurl the flaming ball at him. He knew he had to get away. If he could just remember how he had escaped once before. Frantically he searched his mind and then he had it.
Everything blinked and he was standing on a hill covered in emerald green grass. The sky above was a perfect blue. There was not a cloud to be seen. The sun shone from somewhere he couldn’t see. There was someone else there, but he couldn’t see her either. It didn’t matter. He could sense who it was; he was calm and at peace.
Coran woke slowly to his companions’ whisperings. He lay still with eyes closed and listened. He felt a momentary twinge of guilt for eavesdropping on friends.
“....why Soelidin did not kill him?” That was Shirri talking in a voice that rose barely above a whisper.
“I am not sure, but I can think of only one thing,” Miko replied just as quietly.
“...is the one?” Because they were talking so quietly, he couldn’t make out everything that was said.
“You....tell me.”
There was a long pause before she replied. “How did you know?”
“I have no talent myself, but you are more than you seem. I met a .... once, and ... something about her eyes. I see it in yours at times.”
“....talent is for healing and I am not very strong. I can see things at times.”
“A seer,” Miko sounded surprised. “Did you go to the Heart?”
“The healer who was training me sent me there. I never ... all the way, when I was told I had to go home.”
“Did....why?”
“Only that I had to...”
Whatever else they talked about was lost in mumbling. So she was a healer and maybe more. Gelarus was said to have the ability to see things, but that was unconfirmed rumors. His two companions seemed to have an idea why Soelidin had let him live, but would they share it?
He decided he had listened long enough. Coran opened his eyes, pushed himself off the blanket, and rose up to a sitting position. Shirri and Miko were facing each other, sitting cross-legged. Coran reached for the canteen of water by his packs. He took a long drink to wash the sleep from his mouth.
“Did you sleep well?” Shirri asked him as the two moved apart without a hint that they had been talking about anything important. “You were tossing around in your blankets earlier.”
“I slept well enough.” Light came in through the crack again to announce that it was morning. “Has Terk come down yet?”
“Not yet,” Shirri answered calmly.
“Miko, I was wondering about the Anagassi. They are Karands, yet you don’t seem to know very much about them. Why is that?” asked Coran, approaching the subject obliquely.
Miko’s face betrayed what might have been guilt. Did his loyalty extend to feeling bad about keeping secrets from him? “It is true that no one really knows the Anagassi except Anagassi,” the portly trader explained. “You see, according to the legends, it all started long ago. The god Ithan led his people south and established the city that was named for him. Why they came south in the first place is unknown. They may have been forced out of Midia by Northmen attacks, or by the arrival of the Midians. I do not know if your people were here then.”
“I think the first Midians were believed to have arrived around that time or later,” Coran informed him. That long ago any information was sketchy at best, including things like the source of the Midians. It was believed they came from across the Eastern Sea, but who could say for sure?
Miko shrugged since it wasn’t really important to his story. “After they finished building the city, they started on their conquests. The empire grew and no one could stop it. Many Karands were forced to accept Ithanian rule, but some fled. Those that left went to the one place where Ithan could not reach them, the desert of Ne’emen. There were already some people living there. The refugees joined those people and a new tribe was formed, the Anagassi. They swore never to let themselves be ruled by Ithan, so they began training warriors to be the best swordsmen anywhere. That is where their reputation began, and it still applies today.”
“Did the Ithanians ever try to conquer them?” From what he knew of Ithan during its period of empire he didn’t think they would have allowed anyone to stand against them.
“They did. An army was sent to teach the Anagassi a lesson. The army never returned. But you wanted to know why we know so little of them. It is simple. The Anagassi kill anyone they find in their desert, only excepting a few. Anyone who has been called to the Heart is escorted there; any Karand who wishes to journey to the Heart may do so, but without any help. Not a good idea if you have never lived in a desert. So you can see why so few outsiders know about them.”
“What did you mean by people who have been called?” Coran asked. He didn’t understand that part.
Miko frowned slightly and Shirri looked away. It must have been one of those touchy points concerning their beliefs. Which was why he was surprised that Miko answered him at all. “When someone of our people shows some ability, you know like healing, they may be called to go to Lev.”
Coran nodded and let the subject drop. What he could understand was that when someone showed some potential of power they would be summoned to the middle of the desert, but by whom?
Terk did finally arrive to bring them some breakfast, and later their lunch and dinner. It was a long day where they had only conversation to relieve the boredom. Miko and Shirri talked of their respective homes and families. Apparently, she didn’t think much of her brother’s ability to restrain himself either. She told them stories of how he continually ended up in trouble when he was a boy from his over-enthusiasm. One thing Coran noted was that there was no mention of what they had whispered about earlier.
The next day Terk was true to his word. They all followed him up the stairs and ate breakfast at a real table. It was square and unfinished as were the four chairs around it. Thin white curtains covered the windows and pale light came through to bathe them where they sat. The room itself contained a counter area for preparing food that also held fire baked dishes and clear glasses. On one side of the room there was an opening that led to a small pantry, and on the other was a wash room. There was even a copper bathtub that filled most of the space. This was where Terk did his business and met with customers. Since he spent so much time at the office he had a few amenities added for comfort.
Shirri spotted the tub already filled with war
m water and decided to wash before she ate.
Coran tore off some of the dark bread from the loaf. He leaned back in the chair, grateful to be out of the dank cellar, as he ate.
“I am sorry. All I have is bread and a little fruit,” Terk apologized. He wore one of those sleeveless shirts so prevalent among the Karands. Instead of the plain mey’eal he had seen worn by soldiers, Terk’s was finely tailored, silver with blue down the sides. “There is better food at the house, but it would not be wise to be seen carrying it. The people are hungry. I believe some of them would kill for food it is getting so bad.”
“This will be fine,” Miko assured him. He tore off a piece of bread for himself. “Do you have any information for us?”
“Some. Z’Arize receives reports in the administrator’s office. If you want to know what they are planning that will be your best chance.”
Coran agreed that official reports were exactly what he might be looking for. “I need a description of the building, the number of guards, anything else you can tell me. What about the harbor?”
“It is packed with ships. They are lined up next to each other.”
“Lashed together?” Coran asked.
“Yes. You can cross from one deck to the next.”
Not very prudent on the part of his enemy. They must have run out of space, which meant there were a lot of ships. It did give him some ideas. “What else?”
“I do not know if it is important but there are ships out beyond the harbor. Northmen I think.”
“They don’t try to enter the harbor?” Miko questioned.
“No. One of the mages watches them from the bluff to the south. I do not know how they do it, but they keep any curious ships away.”
A wizard guarding the harbor from Northmen ships. He was starting to think of a plan. “Do you have some men who can help us? Men willing to take some risks?”
Fire And Ice (Book 1) Page 28