The Wind Riders

by Kris Kramer

  * * * * *

  Iago walked briskly down the dark, empty street, only slowing when he approached the intersection ahead. Three different streets met in a large, circular plaza with a stone platform in the center. On top of the platform stood a statue of a man, built twice normal size, who wore flowing robes with his hand outstretched in front of him. This was Miyr Kopan, a particularly disreputable part of the Avis district, named after the man whose likeness stood in the center, a powerful Cleric from the early days of the city named Toah Miyr. Most of the buildings that surrounded the statue were bars and whorehouses, those that were safe to even enter, that is. This was a very old, very used part of the city, and as such, several of the buildings were derelict, missing doors, windows, even entire walls.

  Iago waited at the edge of the Kopan, leaning against the corner of the building next to him, watching as a few late-niters left the taverns, as even the seediest of places kicked people out eventually. Some slept at the base of the statue, drunks who had migrated to whatever was directly in front of them as they left a tavern. One man walked out of a building across the way that Iago recognized as a whorehouse. He saw no guards yet, but he figured they would be by shortly. They made regular patrols of this area throughout the night in case of fights, brawls or other problems.

  Iago had come here as a last resort. Somewhere in this district was a beggar named Beneschal, and unfortunately for Iago, this unreliable man was the only person he felt comfortable trusting right now. He’d been unable to find Ben at any of his other haunts, though, and now he had no other place to look. The old man was known to occasionally frequent Miyr Kopan, but Iago liked to avoid the area when possible, so he’d saved it for last, hoping to avoid the late-night skirmishes, thefts, and even the occasional murder this place seemed to attract. Iago moved to his right, checking the alleys and passageways between the buildings. Those were the types of places Ben preferred to stay, places where anyone would have a tough time sneaking up on him. So far, though, all the alleys had been clear.

  As he reached the street, his heartbeat picked up at the sight of a small group of people approaching, a couple of them carrying torches. They were too far away to notice him, but he could tell by their outline that they were guards, following their patrol route back to the Kopan. Iago hurried across the street, looking for a place to duck into until they passed by. He found a rundown old building with no front door and he darted inside, waiting on the other side of the entrance, listening for the sound of footsteps and voices. He heard a noise, but it came from inside, and he nearly jumped and pulled his sword. Someone else was in here with him, so he froze and listened carefully, his eyes scanning every corner and shadow for movement. He heard it again, the sound of someone’s arm or leg sliding on the floor, followed by a grumble or maybe a snore. Iago slowly let his breath out, realizing he’d been holding it. Some drunk had found his way in here and fallen asleep. Iago stayed immobile for as long as he could, hoping he hadn’t woken his new roommate. Several long moments later, Iago heard only steady breathing coming from the back of the room. He relaxed, and carefully moved towards the window in the front wall, so he could see out.

  The guards had reached the edge of the Kopan and started their circuit, moving around the circle and checking each establishment. Their normal routine was to stop outside each door while one or two of the guards went inside to make sure no troubles were about, then move on to the next one. They would skip this building, since they knew it was empty, but it would still take a while for them to make their way around and leave the Kopan. Iago felt the floor just below the window, making sure it was clear of anything, and then sat down quietly. The window was just low enough that he could see out the bottom of it while sitting, so he pulled up his legs, rested his arms on his knees and waited, ignoring the faint snoring emanating from the darkness.

  A short time later, Iago finally saw something that raised his spirits. The guards had moved around to the right side, just out of Iago’s vision, when an old man left a bar across the Kopan. He couldn’t see the man’s face from this distance, but he did recognize his slow, drunken gait. The man ambled towards the statue first, then made his way across the Kopan and down this very street. Iago waited, watching as he came closer, and he smiled when Ben’s face passed by the window.

  Iago stood up carefully, and then peered out of the doorway, looking to his right. The guards were at the whorehouse now, all of them focused intently on something just inside the front door. Iago took his chance and stepped out, moving as quickly as he could without garnering attention. He saw Ben move down an alley to his left, a block ahead, and Iago followed. When he reached the alley he saw the old man already halfway down. He watched as Ben stopped, sat down and leaned his back against the wall. Iago stepped into the alley.

  “Hey, old man,” Iago said in a low voice. “You drunk?”

  “Wha!” the man jumped, startled by the words.

  “It’s okay, Ben.” Iago held his hands up as he approached.

  “Who’s there?” Ben leaned towards Iago and squinted in the darkness. He was dressed in a ragged shirt and pants that were frayed at the ends. He had thin grey hair and a scraggly beard that looked like it had never been combed. His eyes were deep and dark, though, and wildly alert. “I got no money, and I carry a knife!”

  “It’s me, old friend. Iago.” Iago knelt down next to the old man, who held up his hand, as if to make sure Iago was real.

  “Iago?”

  “Aye.”

  “Irah burn me, I thought you was dead!” He said in a gravelly voice. “They said you was caught and killed in Deep Hold.”

  “Not me.” Iago smiled. “Well, they caught me, but I got away.”

  “From Deep Hold?”

  “No, from Lobishr. Deep Hold would be a little tough, even for a snake like me.”

  “Damn right you’re a snake, sneaking up on me in the dark like this. What do you want?” Ben glanced up and down the alley uneasily.

  “I need a favor. Are you drunk?”

  “I ain’t drinkin’ tonight.” Ben’s breath seemed to discount that, but Iago decided he was at least sober enough to recognize him. That should be good enough for what he needed. “And why should I do you any favors?”

  Iago held up a single gold coin. “Because I will pay for it.”

  Ben eyed the coin carefully. He looked Iago in the eye, glanced up and down the alley, then resumed his stare. “That be real?”

  Iago nodded. “And it’s easy coin, too. All I need is for you to pass on a message.”

  “To who?” Caution underlined Ben’s words.

  “You know where Cyara or Ballok are? Have you seen them lately?”

  “That I have, milord. Seen ‘em two days ago, in fact.”

  “Good.” Iago put the coin in Ben’s hand. “Find them, tell them I’m in town, and I need to talk to Oln. Ask Cyara first. I don’t think Ballok likes me too much.”

  “That’s all ya’ need?” Ben asked carefully.

  “That’s all I need. It has to be done tomorrow, though. I’m in a hurry.”

  Ben looked at the coin, to make sure it was really in his hand, then he pocketed it quickly. “Then consider it done, boy. I’ll sure as sunset find ‘em for ya.”

  “Good. Thank you, Ben. Tell them to meet me tomorrow night at the place we last did business. Remember that.” Ben nodded, and Iago stood up. “I have to go. Be safe, old man. Don’t use that coin on ale.” Iago smiled as he walked back down the alley towards the street.

  He heard Ben call out behind him. “Don’t tell me about bein’ safe boy. You’re the trouble maker here.” Iago chuckled as he walked out into the street. Ben was a good man and would do his best to live up to his end of a bargain. And if nothing hampered him, he’d be able to set up a meeting with Nentini Oln soon, one of the only people in Tyr with the resources and money to help them out, and one of the only ones he could trust.

  At least Iago hoped so,
because if this didn’t work, he didn’t have any other options.