“Careful, Tienn,” Ayce warned, still lounging on the bench. “They’ve got the look.”
“Very well,” the Draaken said, his hands rose in a defensive posture as he stepped away. “I mean no disrespect. I only wanted to know if Teeg Almdor was truly dead.”
“How did you know my uncle?” she cried, tugging on Tienn’s sleeve.
Ayce stood up in surprise, taking two steps nearer. “Teeg Almdor is your uncle?”
“Was!” Myst shouted unnecessarily. “He…he challenged the leader of the attack force…a Zyn lion…The beast dug his claws into his body…Uncle Teeg cut the ropes to the bridge they fought on…to keep me away…to keep me safe…he fell…”
The last few days finally caught up with Myst as she collapsed in a sobbing heap upon a bench with her face pressed against the cool wood. Tears flowed again; much harder than before. Tair kept to her side, letting her friend release some of the vast amount of emotion that was hurting her. She stroked Myst’s shoulder, letting her know she was there without saying a word. Ayce stood by looking uncomfortable, his eyes straying from the crying girl to the impassive figure of Dorn standing in the center of the room.
Tienn could only watch as the girl’s wracking sobs echoed throughout the stone-walled room. “Mystrianna,” he began softly, “I am very sorry for your loss and the loss everyone else will feel when they realize he is gone.
“Teeg trained initiates at the Defender’s Guild in the art of swordplay. He was a skilled warrior who knew not only how to use his blade, but when. He helped us occasionally during difficult tasks, but mainly stayed at the Guild in Kaalé. Many men and women benefitted from his knowledge. He even taught me a thing or two,” he added with a weary smile.
“He never spoke about his family, never talked about where he was from,” Tienn continued. “I wish I could have met you under happier circumstances.”
“What is a Defender’s Guild?” questioned Tair.
Tienn sighed. “It is, or was, rather, a Guild created to defend and aid those preyed upon by forces of darkness and tyranny. We championed the right of good, honor, and justice. Many of us gathered and traveled the realms of Vasalius to do this…for the beauty of all that is right.”
“You’ve practiced that bit a lot, haven’t you?” Tair said with a smirk.
“It is what we stood for,” Tienn replied brusquely. “Please do not make light of what you do not understand.”
“We’ve heard of you,” said Tair, ignoring the Draaken’s irritated tone. “Myst, remember? When those heroes showed up when Lemmik’s Bandits were burning the eastern fields when we were kids? They were part of some group, but we never knew from where.”
“I was not part of that quest,” Tienn told her. “But there were once many Guildsmen.”
Myst’s sobs subsided as she slowly raised her head from the table. Her green eyes were puffy and lined with moisture and exhaustion. She sniffled once and cleared her throat before speaking. “You are Tienn Draanyr from Kaalé,” she said, her voice ragged from crying. “My uncle bade me to find you before he died. He said you would set us on the right path.”
Tienn gave her a heart-felt smile. “It is good to know you, Mystrianna Almdor. I will be quite happy to set you on the right path…once we keep the Zynnashans from obliterating this town.”
“So, you and these two are Guildsmen?” Tair wondered, gesturing to Ayce and Dorn.
“Dorn is an initiate, training to become a Guildsman,” Tienn informed her. “Ayce is one of our original members, or at least was since we took up this quest.”
“I knew your uncle,” Ayce said to Myst. “He once cut an earring out of my ear. He never paid me for it, either.”
“What do you mean was? Did someone kick you out?”
“Yeah,” Ayce chuckled. “The House of Diathanos.”
“It is a long tale,” Tienn insisted, the shadow of anger returning to his angular face. “And one that should be told when we have less to worry about. Right now, our main concern should be finding the diamond and returning it to the Zynnashans.”
Myst gritted her teeth, but kept quiet.
“Exactly how long does it take to interview a dignitary?” Ayce wondered.
“I’m sure the man is quite busy…”
Tienn’s attempt to pacify Ayce came to a halt as the ringing sound of metal boots striking stone approached the door. Captain Longvaale entered in full armor, his black cape swishing against his ankles. He carried a helm under his arm and the pommel of his sword clanked against his left elbow. His face was drawn and haggard, his eyes revealing a lack of sleep. He paused at the threshold for only a moment and then marched in, reaching Ayce and Tienn in just two steps.
Tienn greeted the captain and introduced everyone. He then launched immediately into why they were here and what was approaching.
The Captain held up a gloved hand and stopped Tienn’s speech. “We are well aware of the situation Master Draanyr. I have been briefed by someone close to the situation who will share with us his plan on the defense of our town.”
Tienn gave Ayce a quizzical stare as the Knight Captain marched toward the larger table at the other side of the room. Ayce only shrugged his shoulders.
“Sir, may I ask who it is that is close to the situation?” Tienn prompted.
“That would be me,” spoke a voice that let Tienn know just how complicated the situation was becoming.
Cassius had arrived in Fhaalvak.
26
Tienn moved back away from Cassius, giving the man ample room to walk past. The Guild Master’s eyes touched Tienn and Ayce briefly before setting upon the table Captain Longvaale waited by. He said nothing as he took a seat, the scraping of the wooden chair legs against the stone floor set everyone’s teeth on edge.
“Did I miss something?” Tair remarked nervously to Myst.
The Knight Captain glanced up to see that no one else had taken a step towards the table. “Come, come,” he said petulantly. “We have little time to dally. My aide tells me that these two women have witnessed the Zynnashan attacks first hand. We must know what to expect.”
Myst looked from the captain to Tienn and then to Tair. All Tair could do was shrug as she stepped forward. Myst followed reluctantly and listened as Tair described the steel boat and the tiger Zyn Beasts who shot fire from their fingertips. She recounted parts of the night when Valdine burned and how she and Myst repelled an attack from the wolf Zyn Beast in the woods. With a shudder she also described what was left of Tabaan and of the refugees they escorted to Joram’s Bend.
Myst suddenly broke in, informing the captain how the Zynnashans failed to burn much of the town proper, but reported how the tigers set fire to the surrounding fields and of the following attack by the wolves of Zynnasha at the main gate. She conveyed the words the lion Zyn Beast said to them and described how Laridiya saved Joram’s Bend with her faith in Ethaea. She left out, however, any mention of her uncle, Lynth, or their search for the Purestone.
“We felt it was our duty to come here and warn the knights of the Zynnashan threat,” Myst said at last. She held her breath, waiting for Tienn or the other one to speak out about the panther Zyn Beast.
Tienn remained silent. His eyes remained locked on the dark-skinned man who came in with the captain.
“What do you think, Captain Deveres?”
“I told you I no longer hold rank with the Knights of Kaalé, sir,” Cassius said with a displeased tone.
“And what rank do you hold with House Diathanos?” said Ayce heavily.
“I believe we should hold the main contingent of knights along the eastern side of the town to protect the weaker gate,” Cassius told the captain, ignoring Ayce’s pointed remark. “We should keep the civilians near the river gate, that way, if the Zynnashans are able to breach the town, they can escape by boat beyond the lake into the river. I highly doubt they will attack the fortified entryway here at the tower.”
“I agree,” the captain huffed. “We
can station a number of fire patrols along the streets to put out any fires they throw at us.”
“Pardon me,” Tienn interjected softly, “but, what about the Purestone?”
“Do you have any offensive machinery along the gates?”
“Only an old catapult sitting on the southeastern wall tower,” Longvaale said with a wave of dismissal. “But we have not used that since the days of the boorsliig attacks.”
“We may wish to man that so we have a weapon against the ship…”
“Excuse me,” Tienn said loudly, halting the conversation between Cassius and the captain. “What about the Purestone?”
“What about it?” Captain Longvaale said just as loudly, angry at being interrupted.
“Should we not be searching for it?” Tienn demanded. “It is what they want. It is what they are destroying the river towns for! We find who stole it and return it; perhaps they will turn back to Zynnasha.”
“We have someone doing that as we speak,” Cassius said coldly.
Tienn placed his hands on his slender hips. “Who? The paladins? The House of Diathanos? Cassius, you know damn well that they will keep the diamond for themselves!”
Cassius stood quickly from his chair, turning to look at the Draaken with a face brooding with a barely contained rage. “Perhaps they should keep it,” he said with a guttural tone. “Perhaps the Zynnashans should be put in their place and the Eye of Diathanos should return to its rightful home in the arms of the church.”
Tienn shook his head, his face a grim mask. “You know the outcome of that will create nothing but havoc. The Magi will demand it.”
“Let them,” was all Cassius said.
“They are already here,” Tienn told him. “And they know the Purestone is somewhere in the city!”
“Is Sajiix with them?”
“I do not know,” Tienn said truthfully. “We have not seen him since we left Hemdale three days ago.”
“That’s very convenient,” Cassius snarled.
“I refuse to argue with you about this,” Tienn said with a resigned sigh. “The key to stopping the Zynnashans is that diamond. I will not wait for political rivalry to decide upon a course of action. We must find the ones who stole it before they lead the Zynnashans all the way to Kaalé!”
“Master Draanyr, as an acting agent with the Defender’s Guild, I will need you and your companions’ assistance in defending this city,” Captain Longvaale said, watching Tienn carefully.
“And what if we no longer care to affiliate ourselves with the Guild?” demanded Ayce.
The Captain’s eyebrows shot up as his eyes focused on the bearded mercenary. “If you will not abide by the law agreed upon and assist in the defense of the King’s city, then you will forfeit any advantage these walls provide and will vacate them immediately.” The knight then stood, his armor rattling as he did so. “You see, I have no time for politics, either.”
Tienn lifted a hand to pause the captain. “We will stand with Fhaalvak, have no doubt of that.”
“Very good,” the captain puffed. “I expect to see you and your party near the east gate as soon as possible.”
Tienn nodded as the knight stepped away, slamming the door as he exited. The room filled with silence as the six stood uncomfortably, each one waiting for the other to speak. It was Myst who cleared her throat.
“Tair and I will go look for the thief,” she told them.
“There are people already searching,” boomed Cassius. “Who are you to involve yourselves with this?”
“Just the ones who told your captain how the Zyn Beasts will attack,” Tair said with a mocking grin.
“We are also ones who are not involved with your Guild,” Myst reminded them. “We will do as we wish.
“Thank you for your assistance,” she said, turning to Tienn.
Both women marched out the door, leaving it slightly ajar and allowing a shaft of morning light to sneak in. Tienn almost felt a pang of regret seeing Myst leave and not knowing why. He chalked it up to memories of her uncle when he served the Guild as a blade master.
The Draaken began to move toward Ayce when he noticed Cassius take a step toward him. “Have you truly left the Guild?” the Guild Master asked.
“We have made no decisions except for those that feel right,” Tienn told him. “You know the right thing to do is to find that diamond. I wonder which side you fight for. Do you fight for the Guild or House Diathanos?”
Cassius glanced up to see Ayce and Dorn watching him expectantly. “I also fight for what is right,” he said. His eyes were liquid bronze as he held Tienn in them with such intensity that it nearly pushed the Draaken back in warning. “Chancellor Tevic knows what to do with the Eye. He will make the right decision.”
Tienn shook his head sadly and walked away with Ayce and Dorn following him.
Myst and Tair blinked at the bright morning sun as they emerged from the narrow gate of the garrison into Fhaalvak. It was now mid-morning and the southerly breeze promised a warm autumn day; one of the last they would see before winter lay claim to the land. Myst led Tair away from the gate to the shadows beneath a candle shop awning.
“We will have to look through all the taverns and inns in town to find this thief,” Myst said, her green eyes scanning the area behind Tair.
“If he hasn’t left already,” Tair mumbled.
Myst shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. The thief is ready to get rid of it. And his customers are already here.”
Tair nodded, recalling the discussion about the paladins and the Magi. “I doubt he’ll sell it inside a tavern.”
Myst shrugged her right shoulder, tossing her cloak over it and freeing her arm. “It’s all we have.”
“We passed one as we came into town, just inside the river gate,” Tair recalled.
Myst couldn’t help but grin as she tugged on her friend’s shoulder. “Leave it to you to sniff out a tavern the moment you reach a new city. Come on, we have don’t have much time.”
Tienn, Ayce, and Dorn watched the two young women walk away as they stood in the dim light of the gate entrance.
“What do you think?” Tienn asked his bearded friend.
“They know more than they’re letting on,” Ayce answered, rubbing his chin. “Do you want me to follow them?”
Tienn shook his head. “Cassius will be expecting both of us at the east gate.” The Draaken glanced up at the towering figure of Dorn. “He can go.”
Ayce looked at Tienn as though he grew antlers out of his head. “You do realize he’ll be noticed, don’t you? He’s a Thaarakan. They aren’t known for their stealth.”
“I follow far behind,” Dorn stated with his thick accent. “I see over many heads. I keep watch on them.”
***
Baris turned the key once more, securely locking the southern door of his warehouse. He glanced up into gleaming blue autumn sky and took a breath of the warm breeze, inhaling deeply. Today would be glorious. The sun still had a few hours before reaching its zenith, so he had some time to kill before his meeting with the Magi and clergy of Diathanos. The Zyn Beast he had unwittingly captured last night was secured and still unconscious, so he had no worries there. His main concern would be how to get out of Fhaalvak before the Zynnashans reduced it to rubble.
His eyes strayed to the river gate and saw that it was not only barricaded, but also guarded by a handful of edgy looking foot soldiers and an armored knight. Someone had finally arrived to tell the knights what was coming. It seemed escaping Fhaalvak had become slightly more problematic for him. He shrugged his shoulders and continued on, content in the knowledge that there were other secretive places to get in and out of the river town.
Baris turned left, intent on walking to the Golden Harvest to get some breakfast. The main street before him was usually bursting with hawkers selling the earliest catches of the day. The stalls were empty, the storefronts bare. A lone dog trotted past looking confused that his usual scrap morsels were now
here to be found. Most would find the empty street unsettling. Baris, however, thought it fortuitous as it meant fewer witnesses to see his meeting.
As Baris walked closer to the center of town, he started seeing people gathered at storefronts or in open doorways whispering rumor after rumor at why the gates were sealed and the knights dispatched. They ranged in irrationality from a simple training exercise to a full-scale boorsliig attack. Not one of the frantic gossip mongers had it right. If they knew what was to befall them, they would be cowering in their cellars this very moment.
Sidestepping a group of cackling women, Baris looked ahead to find a pleasant surprise walking toward him. It was the girl from the tavern. She walked with that familiar swagger that only accentuated her voluptuous form. She wore a simple brown dress with a cream-colored shawl wrapped around her shoulders. Her brown hair was swept to one side to rest on her right shoulder. She smiled when she saw him and quickened her pace to meet him.
“Good morning to you, sir,” she curtsied.
Baris smiled back, knowing that her demure behavior was exaggerated. “And what are you doing out and about so early after such a long night serving drinks to the dregs of Fhaalvak?”
“I’m often up early to prepare the kitchens for the day,” she explained. “But there is talk of war or some such nonsense and my uncle has closed the tavern until later tonight.”
A furrow appeared between Baris’ eyebrows. “Good for you, bad for me,” he grumbled. “I was hoping to grab something to eat.”
A sly smile spread upon the young girl’s face. “My uncle will be away for most of the morning, sir. I’m quite capable of making anything that tempts you.”
Baris felt a different stirring of hunger erupt within as he stared at the lovely woman’s curves. “Are you sure of this? I don’t even know your name.”
“I am quite sure, sir. And my name is Sarah.”
“Sarah,” he said, rolling the name off of his tongue. He glanced skyward again and grinned. “Lead the way, Sarah. I have just enough time to have…breakfast.”
Rage of the Diamond's Eye (The Guildsmen Series Book 1) Page 30