Dark Healer (An Empire Falls Book 1)

by Harry Leighton

  "I long for the days when my employees just do as they're told and don't talk back."

  "Maybe if you spent less time beating up training dummies whilst naked we'd find you less unusual."

  “You may have a point. But it is my house."

  "Indeed."

  "So, you were getting to the point…"

  The thin man's face turned sombre.

  "What is it, Istvan?" Karina said.

  "I have … news."

  "From your tone I gather I'm not going to like it."

  "And I should apologise for my tone just now, I was distracted."

  "Spit it out."

  "Jonas is dead."

  Karina stepped back clumsily and sat down on a nearby bench.

  "Confirmed?" she said. Her voice was quiet.

  "Reasonably sure. Charred corpse but it was his rod of office found on the body and our contacts confirm seeing him in the vicinity immediately before." Istvan moved over to her and draped a blanket around her shoulders. Karina wrapped herself in it absently.

  "Where is he? Was he?" she said.

  "A long way from where we expected, some distance out east," Istvan said, moving back.

  "How did it happen?"

  "Got into a fight with a number of other bounty hunters by all reports."

  "Unlike him. Do we know what he was doing?"

  "No, not really. Hunting someone would be a reasonable assumption but we don't know whom."

  "What assets do we have in the region?"

  "Not many, place is a bit of a nowhere. We only got the information this quickly because we've been fast-tracking news about him recently following the update that he'd moved."

  "How old is the news?"

  "A few days, no more."

  "Body was burned you said?"

  "Yes, badly."

  "To the point it was unrecognisable?"

  "So we hear."

  "Okay. I want you to do something for me."

  "Certainly."

  "Check if the rod of office is still there or has been stolen. And if you can get access, check the body."

  "If I can get access?"

  "Go personally. Be sure."

  "You don't think he's dead, do you?"

  "From what you've told me, I can't be sure. He was always a tricky one and I wouldn't put it past him to fake his own death."

  "To what end?"

  "If he's still alive, that's what I want to find out."

  *****

  “Vance here will see you out,” the Governor said to the trade delegation before him “I think our talks have been very productive and I look forward to hearing from you again soon.”

  There was a general murmur from the assorted dignitaries if front of him. The Governor painted on his best smile and motioned to his aide who led them out. He sat back down in his chair. These were becoming very tiring. Many of the local merchants were pushing for his help to get their goods sold in other regions. Regions with more money if he was to be brutally honest. Whilst he sympathised, he didn’t see that there was much that he’d be able to do. Still, it paid, so to speak, to keep people on side so he’d sent out a series of invites to officials and merchant groups from other parts of the empire, hoping to convince them to invest and set up trade agreements. He’d held out little hope that there would be much of a response and had been surprised — nay, shocked — at the series of visitors that had come calling. His initial pleasure and new-found optimism proved short founded after no more than a couple of meetings.

  He wondered how many of them had come in sick fascination, curious to see what sort of bribes he’d be prepared to give in exchange for business rather than in any expectation of fair discussions.

  The sort of concessions they were looking for would be crippling in the long term. Still, he’d agreed to nothing yet and there was still a chance that some of the people that had come to talk didn’t want their eyes out.

  Vance reappeared at the door. “Ahem,” he said politely.

  “I think that was productive,” the Governor said.

  “If you say so, sir,” Vance said.

  “Well, we’ll put their proposals to our board of trade, maybe some of them will prove acceptable.”

  “There’s always that chance,” Vance said.

  “There’s no one else waiting outside is there? It’s been a long day.”

  “Sadly yes, sir. Watch commander from the station near the main west gate.”

  “Watch commander? What’s he doing here rather than with my nephew?”

  “Didn’t say. Shall I send him away?”

  “If he’s watch commander he should know how things work by now so if he’s come direct it’s probably important. You’d better show him in.”

  “As you say, sir.” The small, tidy looking man disappeared back through the door and led the Commander in.

  “Commander,” the Governor said.

  “Governor,” the Commander said.

  “So what can I do for you that the General can’t?”

  “Ah, nothing I think.”

  The Governor smiled. “So why are you here then?”

  “I have some information I thought you’d better know. I’m not convinced the General is handling it the right way.”

  “What’s he done now? Wait. That will be all, Vance, I’ll see the Commander out when we’re done.”

  “As you wish, sir,” the small man said, bowing then disappearing through the door.

  “What has he done now?” the Governor repeated.

  “He’s sent nearly the entire city watch out patrolling the region and has ordered a number of the city guard to cover their duties.”

  “Why on earth has he done that?”

  “Maybe I should start at the beginning.”

  “That may be sensible.”

  “A group of bounty hunters brought a three-armed corpse into the city.”

  “A what?” the Governor said, interrupting.

  “Three-armed corpse. Genuine three arms too, shoulder, the works. Not just stitched on as some sort of weird joke.”

  “Where in the empire did they come across that and why did they bring it here?”

  “He was alive when they found him, and apparently running a people-smuggling ring nearby.”

  “I suppose that answers both questions. What did they do with the body? I’m guessing from the fact that the General is involved they took it to him?”

  “It seemed like a watch matter, so I took them to him, yes.”

  “Ah, I see. And in response he’s sent the whole watch out looking for more of them?”

  “Yes, but that’s not all of it.”

  “Go on.”

  “There’s been some incidents.”

  “More three-armed men?”

  “Thank the gods no, not so far. Perhaps something worse.”

  “Three heads?”

  “No, not like that. Some of the watch, well some of the orders they have been given, well it’s a bit of a mess.”

  “Spit it out man.”

  “There have been arrests. People have been roughed up. Others have disappeared.”

  “That sounds normal to me?”

  “On a bigger scale. Unrest is brewing.”

  “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  “I don’t think it’s going to take a lot to set it all off.”

  “I think you’re exaggerating a bit there. There has been trouble as long as I can remember.”

  “One squad stormed a mine and arrested all the miners.”

  “Hmm,” the Governor said, frowning. “That does sound serious, but it still sounds like a watch matter to me at the moment.”

  “And that I know of, at least two watchmen have gone missing.”

  “Run off to avoid the trouble?”

  “No, vanished whilst on patrol. We’ve checked all the likely whorehouses and bolt holes. No sign.”

  “What is your take on events then?”

  “Begging his pardon, and no o
ffence meant to your nephew, but I think he’s gone overboard and trouble is on the way, if it isn’t here already.”

  “Perhaps. Keep an eye on things and let me know of any major changes. I’m sure it’ll all blow over, these things always do. Rest assured we are on it.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “You did right in coming to me.”

  *****

  Julen looked at the growing group of people around him. What was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration was rapidly becoming a mob. Which was a bit more than he was keen to get wrapped up in at this stage. Whilst an anti-imperial, he wasn’t looking for trouble and was one of the more moderate voices on the rebel council. Though council was a strong term for it, more a gathering of similar minded individuals making fanciful plans for the future which were unlikely to come to real fruition.

  Besides, he’d not yet finished converting his assets so the timing was all wrong. He considered ducking out and disappearing back to his house but he was quite a distinctive figure, tall and gangly with a shock of grey hair, so it was likely he’d be noticed. Be noticed. Hmm, Julen thought to himself. That would be bad. He drew his hood further over his head.

  They had been walking the street for a short while, protesting at the local raids. The town wasn’t big and it hadn’t taken long to walk the length of the main street. Local officials had generally been sensible and stayed out of their way, not looking to provoke any sort of reaction.

  Which was why the street was quiet but for the growing protest mob. Julen hoped that eventually they would get bored and it would peter out. In retrospect, there was little to be gained by protesting in a small outlying town like this; the real movement needed to be in the city.

  Julen was musing on this without paying much attention when the mob stopped suddenly and went quiet. He walked into the back of the man in front, who turned indignantly. Julen held his hands up in apology and looked to see what had stopped them. Ah. A watchman. Standing in the street ahead of them. And if he wasn’t mistaken, it was old Nuno. Old, well-meaning, simple Nuno.

  “What seems to be the trouble people?” Nuno said amiably, eyeing the group of people without fear. Julen studied him. He wasn’t carrying the spear which now seemed to have become regulation, relying instead on his trusty old nightstick. Maybe that was a good thing.

  “Get out of the way, Nuno,” someone from the front of the mob said, Julen couldn’t see who.

  “Big gathering you have here,” Nuno said.

  There was a general muttering.

  “Perhaps you would all like to disperse and go to your homes. There’s no need for us all to be out standing in the street like this.”

  “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? For the people to just do as they’re told?” came a voice from the front.

  “Yeah,” from another nearby.

  “I know you, Ospin, and you, Galen. Shouldn’t you be at home Galen? Isn’t your wife near due?”

  A man mumbled. Julen assumed it must have been ‘Galen’.

  “The people will not be silenced,” came another voice from Julen’s right. He looked but didn’t see who it was.

  “Silenced?” Nuno said. “What are you talking about?”

  “You know what’s going on,” said a voice in the crowd.

  “Why don’t you all just go home and take any concerns you have up with the officials in the morning?” Nuno said.

  “Hah,” said a number of the group.

  “The watch go out knocking heads and we get to make an appointment?” someone up front, probably Ospin, said.

  “The only heads we knock deserve it,” Nuno said. “Now, be on your way, all of you, before I start taking names.”

  There was an angry murmur from the crowd. Nuno put his hand on his nightstick to emphasize his authority. The murmur grew louder and the crowd started to move towards him. Nuno realised that he’d misstepped and started looking around for help but there was none. Oh hell, Julen thought as he was caught up in the mob rushing towards the watchman. This was bad. Run you fool he willed at Nuno, not shouting as he didn’t want the mob turning on him.

  Nuno drew his nightstick and started laying about him as the first of the people closed, dropping the first but it was no good. People pressed around him, grabbing him and disarming him easily. The first punch was landed quickly and Nuno reeled, held up from dropping by the people around him. More came quickly but Nuno’s cries for help were stifled by a hand across his mouth. His arms were held and he was unable to defend himself. The beating was quick and savage but the crowd were exhausted quickly and a still-breathing Nuno was dropped to the floor.

  Julen sighed with relief. Maybe, just maybe, this might not all go as bad as he had been expecting. If Nuno kept his mouth shut, maybe this would all be forgotten and he would learn not to get in the way in future.

  The mob backed off slightly, leaving the gurgling, whimpering watchman on the street. A figure pushed his way to the front. He was bleeding from one side of his face. The man Nuno had hit, Julen surmised. The man reached down and picked up the watchman’s nightstick, examining it for a moment with a grim look on his face.

  “He’s seen us,” he said, looking down at the prone man.

  “He won’t talk if he knows what’s good for him,” Julen said, hoping to stop the situation from getting any worse than it already was.

  “He knows us,” the man said. “You think this is just going to go away?”

  There was a general murmur from the crowd.

  “We need to finish this,” the man said.

  “Please,” came a slurred voice from the ground.

  “We know what will happen to us if this gets out, if he identifies us,” a voice in the crowd said.

  “This and more,” the bleeding man at the front said, pointing down at Nuno, raising the nightstick and bringing it down hard. Nuno stilled.

  The crowd pressed in again and the blows landed quickly. Julen stood back, watching.

  It was done quickly and the mob backed off from the limp, bloody body on the ground.

  A bell was ringing. It looked like help may have been summoned after all. The crowd melted away quickly, running in all directions.

  Julen looked back one last time before he ran, taking in the details of the broken watchman on the ground, bloody nightstick at his side, ingraining them in his memory.

  This was … bad.

  *****

  “You were in late last night.”

  Julen turned over in bed. “What’s that dear?”

  It was morning and his wife was standing fully dressed by the bed.

  “You were in late last night,” she said.

  “Oh, just finishing up some paperwork at the office.”

  “You’re still seeing her, aren’t you?”

  Julen sat up at that. “No. I made you a promise. She’s being transferred.”

  “So where were you?”

  “Paperwork, like I said.”

  “You were very late in.”

  “Did I wake you then?”

  “Yes.”

  “You didn’t say.”

  “I was angry.”

  “Don’t do this again.”

  “You must have missed the excitement then.”

  “Excitement?”

  “Haven’t you heard?”

  “I’ve been in bed,” Julen said, motioning around him.

  “Smartass.”

  “What happened?”

  “The old watchman Nuno is dead.”

  Julen struggled to remain blank faced. “Nuno, dead? How? Old age and over indulgence finally get him?”

  “He was murdered.”

  “Murdered?”

  “Beaten to death and left in the street.”

  “Wow.”

  “Do you know anything about it?”

  “Why would I?”

  “Where were you? And don’t say the office as I know you weren’t.”

  Julen looked panicked for a moment. “You’ve got
me.”

  “So?”

  “I was with her,” Julen said, choosing what was in his mind the lesser of two evils.

  “That’s a relief.”

  “A relief?”

  “Oh I’m still leaving you. I’m just relieved that I’m not in trouble with the watch.”

  Julen’s mind raced. “I…”

  “Don’t bother,” his wife said. “My things are already with my sister. Don’t come after me.”

  “Uh…”

  “Goodbye,” she said, turning and leaving.

  Julen looked after her. Though a little sad, it had been coming. And it was convenient. Now he didn’t need to sneak around to attend meetings. And her uncle was part of the watch and she was certain to vouch for his alibi, leaving him in the clear of any involvement in the previous night’s actions. Still, news had travelled fast and he needed to find out what people knew. He dressed quickly and left the house, making his way towards his warehouse. The streets were quiet for the time of day, people walking quickly and subdued under the glowering eyes of the watch, who were now roaming the streets in gangs.

  “You there, stop.”

  “What is it, officers?” Julen said, adopting a non-threatening posture as he turned to face them. Four of them, taking no chances.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Just to work. I’ve got a warehouse on the edge of town.”

  “Where were you last night?”

  “Ah, giving my assistant a seeing to before sneaking home to my wife.”

  One of the watchmen grinned. None of them seemed to know what to say.

  “Ah, be about your business then,” one said eventually.

  “What’s happened?” Julen said. “You all look like you’re expecting trouble.”

  “Man was murdered last night.”

  “Can I ask who?”

  “Watchman. We’re out to catch the people who did it,” the lead one said.

  One to his side nudged him and said, “We already got him.”

  “There may have been more of them,” the lead one said.

  “You’ve already got him? That was quick.”

  “Something you want to tell us?” the lead watchman said suspiciously.

  “No, no. It’s just that I thought whoever it was would have been in hiding.”

  “We received a tip, found a bloody nightstick.”