Ekala knew something was up. “What guy?”
“Just...a guy,” said Zarim.
He was hiding something. And she knew what that meant. “It’s one of Gax’s connections, isn’t it?”
Zarim said nothing.
“That’s why you disappeared as soon as we took off from Nephelm. You were radioing Gax, weren’t you?”
He huffed. “Look, I don’t like it any more than you do. You think I want to be deeper in his pocket?”
“Deeper?” asked Ekala.
“I meant to say deep.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Zarim sighed. “It was a slip of the tongue, okay? I’m tired and pissed off and just want us to finish this.”
“If we get into debt with Gax, we’ll have a lot more trouble on our hands than usual,” said Ekala.
“We’ve brought him some pretty good scores, it won’t be a problem. I promise.”
Ekala leaned against the table and crossed her arms. “It’s time we slowed down.”
He gave a half-hearted chuckle that showed his irritation with the situation. “Slow down? Babe, we’ve gone after three stones, and of those three, we’ve only managed to get our hands on one. We keep getting our asses handed to us and it’s time to fight back. The fate of the world is in our hands.”
“Even if we get these stones back, there are still two left. What’s to say Vortai won’t beat us to the punch with them?”
Zarim drew his gun from the holster and slammed it on the table. “This does.”
She stared at the weapon for a few moments. “You’ve officially lost it, hot stuff.”
“If we take out Vortai, that means he won’t be around to keep us from getting the other stones.”
“You’re talking about Ra’kad’s right-hand man. And you want to kill him?”
Zarim nodded. “You’re damn right I do. We’re supposed to be the greatest pirates in the world, but he’s made us look like amateurs. Twice.”
“Okay...” Ekala hesitated. “I’m gonna ask you something, and I want you to just think before you jump down my throat.”
Zarim placed his palms on the table, leaned over the maps and sighed. “Okay, go ahead.”
“Is this really about keeping Vortai off our backs? Because if it is, then great, I’ll back your play,” she said. “But if this is just about your ego, then we gotta find another way.”
Zarim shook his head. “I can’t believe you’d say something like that. Besides, you didn’t seem to mind when you killed that hunting dog of his.”
“I got nothing against puttin’ a bullet in Vortai’s head. But that’s the kinda thing that’ll bring a lot of heat down on our heads. And all I’m sayin’ is I think we’d fly a lot more smoothly if we didn’t have to hang that around our necks. And you know I’m right.”
After straightening himself, Zarim sat on the edge of the table. “You’re my second-in-command. What do you think we should do?”
“What sort of papers are we getting from Gax’s friend?”
“We’ll be posing as pilgrims.”
“Good, that gives us reason to be in the cathedral in the first place,” she said. “I’m thinkin’ a standard snatch-and-grab. Once we get into the cathedral, we find where he’s keeping the stones and we take ‘em back.”
“What about security?” asked Zarim. “Dreadnoughts aren’t exactly far from that part of the city. Might even have some in attendance.”
“That’s where the distraction comes in,” said Ekala. “Remember what happened last time we were in Delfor?”
Zarim felt a smile creeping. “Yeah, I do.”
“Think something like that will cause a big enough distraction?”
“Oh yeah, I think it will.” Zarim went to the ship’s intercom and turned it on. “Swul, Tanus, get your butts up here.”
Zarim switched off the intercom and walked to his chair, sitting down with his elbows perched on the arms. Ekala took another glance at the maps before joining him.
“Paranoid much?” she asked.
“It’s why we’re still alive,” said Zarim, just as Tanus and Swul walked through the door.
“Yer interruptin’ some fine drinkin’ time,” said Swul.
“Save it for when we get to Serenity,” said Zarim.
“You have a plan of attack?” asked Tanus.
“More like a plan of sneaking,” said Zarim. “Once we get into Serenity, Ekala and I will go after the Soulstones.”
“What about Dreadnought patrols?” asked Tanus.
“They’ll be too busy trying to stop the drunken brawl between a former Dreadnought and a faerie,” said Zarim.
“Come again?” asked Swul.
Zarim pointed at the pair. “You two. Get drunk. Fight. Cause a commotion.”
“Hah, ya really think that’ll work?” asked Swul
“Probably will,” said Tanus. “Provided you don’t go down too quickly.”
“Bottle says yer wrong,” said Swul.
“Done. Sounds like a decent enough plan.”
Zarim patted Ekala’s hand. “You can thank her. Knew there’s a reason I keep her around.”
CHAPTER 16
The Excalibur arrived at the airfield outside the walled city of Serenity around noon—the time that Gax had informed them their contact felt it best to meet. Moving into Serenity during a high-volume period meant the border guards would be less likely to pay a lot of scrutiny to their forged documents. Zarim stepped off the platform first, wearing his usual cloak, the hood pulled high over his head. Ekala followed, dressed in a brown cloak. Swul struggled with his as he moved alongside her. And the one Tanus wore was barely big enough for him, but he managed to make it work.
“Hate this damn thing,” said Swul. “It itches.”
“It’s either that or your wings tip off the bad guys,” said Zarim.
A large throng of people had already gathered around the crossing. Dreadnoughts checked the papers of everyone who came through, ensuring that they had proper permission to enter the city-state.
“Where’s Gax’s friend?” asked Ekala in a hushed tone.
“Gax said he’d be in a red coat with a distinct mustache.”
“Seriously? That’s what we have to go on?” asked Ekala.
Zarim shrugged. “Hey, don’t look at me.”
“Zarim.” Tanus nudged him with his shoulder. When Zarim turned, Tanus gestured with his head. Zarim followed Tanus’ line of sight and saw a large man with a red trench coat. He had a bushy, blond mustache that twirled up at the ends, while his sideburns reached down to his jaw.
“That the guy?” asked Swul.
“Let’s find out.” Zarim walked towards him. As they approached, the mustache man noticed them, keeping a careful eye on all four.
“Can I help you with something?” he asked.
“We just came from Delfor,” said Zarim.
“Rough area, that is. Need an extra pair of hands t’ keep from bein’ robbed.”
“A friend says that’s not enough.”
He offered his hand. “Nice t’ meet you, Zarim.”
“You, too,” said Zarim. “Didn’t get your name from our mutual friend, though.”
“Just call me Hugo. Follow me.” He led them away from the crowd, over towards the hangars. “We don’t have much time, so I’ll make this quick.” Hugo reached inside his jacket and drew four small booklets. One of each was handed to the crew. “Here’re your papers. Three men, one woman. These visas are only good for three days. Make sure to be gone before the third day. Cover story is yer Illuminists from Barrows, making a pilgrimage to the holy land. If you get pinched, I never heard of you. Droppin’ my name won’t do you no good, ‘cause Hugo ain’t my actual name. Got it?”
Zarim nodded. “We got it. How much do we owe you?”
“Already taken care of,” said Hugo.
“Looks like we’ll have a debt to settle once we get home,” muttered Ekala.
Zarim ignor
ed it. “Thanks for your help.”
“Don’t thank me, just doin’ my job. Now get outta here.”
Hugo moved away from them and Zarim led the group back into the lines.
“This is just what I didn’t want happening,” said Ekala. “Now we’re gonna owe Gax.”
“It’ll be fine,” said Zarim.
“I worked this kind of detail before,” said Tanus. “Most of the guys here, they don’t like doing this. Especially with a crowd this size. Just answer any questions quickly and don’t cause any trouble.”
“Why do I feel like all three of you are lookin’ at me?” asked Swul.
“Just your imagination,” said Tanus.
Next to each passage in the wall was a small booth where a Dreadnought stood checking the papers. Zarim went up first, handed the booklet and the guard looked at his information. “Where are you from?”
“Barrows,” he said.
“Purpose of visit?”
“Pilgrimage.”
“When do you plan to leave?”
“Tomorrow.”
The guard stamped the book and handed it. Zarim went through the wall and waited for the others to pass through. After a few moments, they came through, too. No one seemed to have any difficulty passing through the gates.
“Come on, should probably take us about an hour to reach the cathedral on foot,” said Zarim.
Zarim continued walking and his foot hit a snag. He tripped and fell forward, landing directly on his face. Tanus reached down to help him up. “You okay?”
“Yeah, that’s embarrassing,” he said.
“You ought to be more careful, my friend.”
Zarim, Ekala, and Tanus all recognized the voice. The man it belonged to stood nearby, a cane in his hand. He had short, blond hair and bright blue eyes. It was Templar. Tanus and Zarim both advanced towards him, but Ekala stood between them.
“Wait, not here,” she said. “Inconspicuous, remember?”
“Is that so?” asked Templar. He walked towards them. A woman stood behind him, a woman who had her head covered by a hood. “And why, pray-tell, would you like to remain inconspicuous?”
“I’d tell you, but then it’d give us away,” said Zarim.
“Come on, he’s not worth it,” said Tanus. “Not yet.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Zarim stepped back, but still kept his eyes on Templar. The skilled thief leaned on his cane, still smiling.
“I know where it is,” he said.
That caused Zarim to move closer. “You wanna say that again?”
“Not only that, but I can help you reclaim your prize.”
“Why should we trust you?” asked Ekala. “You’re the one who took it from us in the first place.”
“True, but that was before,” said Templar. “Come, I know a place where we can talk a bit more freely.”
From the station, Templar led them into a restaurant. He asked the hostess if his usual place was ready and she nodded and led them to the second floor of the business. It was a room with cushions instead of chairs and a table that was low to the ground. Once they entered, Templar gestured for his guests to sit wherever they like. He and the woman who accompanied him were the last.
“Pick up a working girl, Templar?” asked Ekala.
“Don’t be crude,” said the woman, lowering her hood. “My name is Reyche. I owe this man my life.”
“Ms. Estry here was a prisoner of the ‘esteemed’ Lord Vortai,” said Templar. “I liberated her, but was not able to liberate the Soulstone.”
“Why did you steal the stone for him if you wanted it for yourself?” asked Tanus.
“I didn’t want it. I was simply hired to obtain it,” said Templar. “When the terms of the deal changed, I tried to take the stone back. Vortai attempted to have me killed and, as such, I’m in the mood for some recompense.”
“You’re not getting the stone,” said Zarim.
“Nor would I ask for it,” said Templar. “I examined it after Corvil and it seems to hold little monetary value. Imitation jewels would fetch a higher price. But Vortai does have quite a bit of wealth in that cathedral. Help me obtain some of it, and I will help you obtain your rock.”
“Still don’t know why we should trust you,” said Ekala.
“I told you, he saved my life,” said Reyche.
Ekala gave her a skeptical look. “Sorry honey, that’s great an’ all, but who’s to say you’re on the level?”
“If this were a trap, I would have no need to be so elaborate,” said Templar. “I would simply have notified the Dreadnoughts inside the station. Clearly, I did not.”
Zarim nodded. “I hate to say it, but he’s got a point. Could be useful having someone who knows what we’re getting into.”
“Why were you at the station?” asked Tanus.
“Reyche and I were preparing to make an escape. Get as far away from Serenity as possible,” said Templar. “But with this opportunity...”
“What about you?” Tanus now faced Reyche. “Are you okay with this?”
“If this is how I can pay back Templar, then I’ll help,” she said. “I’ve also seen the room where the stone is.”
“Okay, then here’s how this is gonna go down,” said Zarim.
And they revised their plan.
Tanus raised the frosted mug to his lips and drank his ale while he stared out the tavern’s window at the cathedral across the street. Swul sat across from him at the wooden table, his back to the window. The diminutive being finished off his second drink and belched loudly.
“How long’s it been since they went inside?” asked Swul.
“About five minutes,” said Tanus. “Which makes your current progress on drinks pretty impressive.”
He smirked. “Faerie constitution.”
“I’m just tryin’ to figure out where you put it all.”
“Should probably keep up,” said Swul. “No one’s gonna believe a guy your size got drunk off one beer.”
“Good point.” Tanus tilted his mug back and let the brown liquid flow down his throat. He set the glass on the table and signaled to the bartender. Swul did the same. A moment later, a waitress came by with two fresh beers and took away the empty glasses.
“Hey Dreyer, just want you to know somethin’. About this brawl we gotta stage.”
“Oh?” asked Tanus.
“Once it starts, I won’t be pullin’ no punches,” said Swul.
Tanus nearly choked on his drink as he chortled. Swul’s brow wrinkled.
“I say somethin’ funny?”
Tanus set the mug down and wiped his lips with his sleeve. He grinned at his new friend. “You won’t pull any punches, huh?”
“Yeah, that’s what I said.”
“Is that supposed to be a warning?”
“Damn right it is!” said Swul. “What, y’ think that just ‘cause yer bigger’n me, that means you hit harder?”
Tanus leaned back, the wooden chair creaking as he adjusted. “Hey, have it your way, friend. But if that’s how it’s gonna be, then I won’t pull any punches, either.”
“Good, now we’re talkin’,” said Swul. “What time we got now?”
Tanus parted his cloak and reached for the pocket watch on his vest. “Looks like it’s show time. Just remember to make sure those wings of yours stay hidden.”
“Same goes for you an’ yer arm.” Swul glanced over his shoulder at the cathedral. No sign of the others. “Alright, let’s do this.”
He raised his glass, drained it in one long swig, and threw the empty mug at Tanus. The former soldier raised his arm just at the last moment to deflect the projectile. It struck the ground and shattered, drawing attention from the other patrons. Swul stepped onto the table.
“C’mon ya big, ugly bastard! Let’s see you make fun of my height again!”
He jumped and Tanus was surprised when Swul proved strong enough to knock him back far enough that his chair tipped, taking them both to the hardwood floor.
The loud tolling of the bells signaled for the parishioners that the service was set to begin. Zarim, Templar, Reyche, and Ekala moved as one, blending in with the rear of the crowd. In the hall, Zarim was all business, putting aside his animosity for one of his new partners and focusing on the job at hand.
“Templar, what are we looking for?”
“From what I’ve seen, there are two stairwells leading down into the caverns. One is near the altar.”
“And the other?”
“Within Vortai’s office,” said Templar.
“Alright, let’s go find it,” said Zarim. “You two go into the hall. If there’s anything we need to worry about, radio us.”
Zarim and Templar broke apart from the group, moving down one of the side corridors. Upon entering the hall, Ekala and Reyche sat towards the back of the cathedral, close enough to the door that they could escape quickly, if the need arose. After the congregation found their places, Lord Vortai emerged from behind the altar. The entire hall rose, bowing their heads to him as he stepped up to the lectern. Vortai bowed slightly as well, although not as deep as the parish had.
“That’s the guy?” whispered Ekala. “He looks like he’d get knocked over in a strong breeze.”
“Don’t let his appearance fool you, he’s extremely powerful,” said Reyche. “He managed to restrain me with almost no effort.”
Ekala stifled a chuckle. “No offense, honey, but I don’t think it’d take much to capture a church girl.”
“You’d be surprised,” said Reyche.
Outside the hall, Templar and Zarim moved through the corridor. They walked at a leisurely pace, not wanting to attract any attention from some of the roaming church staff. Templar took the lead, remembering the path he took to Vortai’s office the last time he was within these walls. When they reached it, Zarim went for the handle, but found it wouldn’t budge.
“Locked.”
“So take care of it,” said Templar.
“Ekala’s the lock-picker in the group,” said Zarim.
Templar rolled his eyes. “This is no time for quips.”
“I’m not quipping, it’s the truth.”
The master thief sighed and pushed Zarim aside, kneeling so he was eye-level with the lock. “Keep watch. And to think I considered you an equal.”
SoulQuest Page 13