The Wind Riders

by Kris Kramer

  Chapter 8 - The Group Splits

  Iago smiled. “Should I be?”

  The fat man smiled back, shaking his head. “You cheat death more times than anyone has a right to.” He walked back to the table, and leaned on the edge. “And now you come to me with some deal involving crystals? You want me dead also, boy?”

  Iago lost his jovial expression. “We need a favor. And we can make it worth your while.”

  Galen stared at Nentini Oln, a slaver, a man who made money from the suffering that happened in this part of the Valley. Like last night when he met Cyara and Ballok, he was taken aback at what the man looked like. He’d expected someone gruff, and hard, like Ballok only taller and meaner, but what surprised him more than Oln’s appearance was the comforting feeling he exuded, almost grandfatherly. He waited for something to happen to make him hate the man like he should.

  “Tell me, then. I can’t promise anything, but let’s at least find out what you want.”

  Iago motioned to Galen. “This is Galen Corovin. He has all the authority to make a deal with you... on behalf of our supplier.” Galen waited a moment, unsure if he was supposed to talk. A gesture from Iago told him he was.

  Galen took a deep breath, and then began. “We have a large supply of untreated Mergoran crystals, sire, but we have lost our means to purify them. We seek to find some kind of arrangement where, in exchange for purified crystals, we could either provide a bulk sum of raw crystals, or split the purified ones.” Galen could feel his hand shaking as he recited the proposal. He had practiced it over and over during the last week and was surprised he remembered it all.

  “Who is ‘we’, son?” asked Oln.

  Galen was taken aback by this question. He hadn’t expected it, and he wasn’t sure if that information should be shared, yet. Frantic, he tried to decide whether he should tell him who they were, or make up something else. In the panic that ensued, however, all he could manage to say was, “Um…”

  “The Wind Riders,” Iago said calmly, saving Galen from having to make the decision. He saw Oln’s eyes widen, the expression on his face turning into genuine astonishment.

  “The Wind Raiders?” said Oln, talking to Iago now. “How did you manage to get involved in that?”

  “That would be a long story. And I don’t think now is the best time to tell it,” Iago replied. Oln nodded slowly, watching Iago carefully, then he turned to Galen and paused for a long moment. Galen wondered if he should break the silence but he remained quiet, hoping Oln would say something soon.

  Finally, “So, you want me to get you a crystal purifier, and in exchange I would get either raw crystals or a split of the purified ones?”

  “Yes, sire.” Galen hoped he was being polite to the man. He knew of no other proper title to give him.

  “Where would this happen?” Oln asked.

  “We can bring the raw crystals to a location we both choose, somewhere in the foothills most likely, and do all the purification there. We would need to meet there once every month or so, I think, and we would be able to pay you each time.”

  “How many crystals are you talking about? Per month?”

  Galen stopped to think. Previously they would be able to bring more, but now, with only two working ships, and a Tyran airship flying around as well, they would end up capturing far less crystals. He tried to think of a safe number. “About two barrels or so, maybe three. Every month.”

  Oln’s jaw almost dropped to the floor when he said that. He wondered if the number was too low.

  “Three barrels!” Oln exclaimed. He looked around at Cyara, then at Ballok, both who remained somewhat expressionless. “Are you serious?”

  Galen hesitated. “Yes, sire. Maybe more, but I can only promise three for sure.”

  Oln looked at Iago, his eyes wide. “How do I know this is real?”

  “Give him the bag,” Iago said, and Galen held out the small bag of crystals he had clenched in his hand. Oln took it from him and opened it. After peering inside, he closed the bag and gaped at Galen, then at Iago.

  “You ask a lot from me, Iago. This is quite a favor you need.”

  “Aye. It’s dangerous, but also profitable.” Iago pointed to the bag of crystals. “That bag alone could make a poor man wealthy for life. Think what a share of three barrels a month could bring.”

  Galen realized just then the value of what they were dealing with. These crystals were the only source of magic in the world. They were prized, and expensive, but it never occurred to him just how precious that made them, especially given how easy it was for him to get crystals as a Wind Rider. A successful raid on a mining caravan could round up twenty or thirty barrels, more than enough to last, even with Pilots continually using them up on training. But here in the city, they were priceless.

  Iago continued. “And before you try to get even more out of this deal, remember that I could have gone to Azris or Krolt. They both have better means of doing this. But I trust you more.” Iago smiled.

  Oln chuckled back. “Do you now?” He walked over to Cyara and gave her a few crystals from the bag. “Take those to Havrin. See if they’re real.” Cyara left the room through the right side door, clutching the crystals in her hand. “I tell you what. Give me a day to check on these. I’ll meet you tomorrow night at the six bell, next to my docks in Harbortown. If they’re good, I’ll have a purifier with me and I’ll send a group with you then to find a spot to make the deal. Ballok will take them. I’ll take half of any purified crystals as payment, just so you know you’re not getting cheated. That’s a fair deal if you ask me and you won’t get better from anyone else.”

  Galen glanced at Iago, who nodded back at him. “Agreed,” Galen said. “Tomorrow night, then.”

  Oln laughed out loud. “Excellent!” He walked up and shook Galen’s hand, then grasped Iago in a bear hug. “I look forward to a long relationship with the Wind Raiders then.”

  “So do we,” Iago said. “And it’s Wind Riders.”

  Oln chuckled. “Ballok. Show them out.” Ballok walked towards the door and opened it as Oln retreated back to the far side of the table. “Well met, Galen Corovin.” Oln called out after them as they filed down the hallway. “Don’t let me down now!” Galen looked back at Oln and gave him a polite nod, then continued on down the hall and through the first room.

  Galen sighed in relief as they left, feeling the weight of this mission lift from his shoulders. Tomorrow night they would be out of the city and on their way back with a deal in place. He’d done it. The Pilot’s Council very nearly dared him to fail, but he’d succeeded. He took a deep breath and realized he felt normal again. No more churning in his stomach, or shaking hands, or sweating. Just blissful weightlessness. Everything could go back to normal.

  Ballok stopped outside the doorway and watched the group leave. Iago took the lead, heading back the way they came, crossing up through alleys and down streets. Galen barely paid attention to their route, though. They could be walking right into the palace of the Clerics and he wouldn’t have noticed. He was lost in elation. Until Margis snapped him back out it.

  “Shouldn’t we send someone back to tell the Council?”

  Galen turned to see Margis walking next to him. “What?”

  “If we send someone back early to tell the Council, they can get a party formed up to start moving the crystals out of camp and towards the meeting spot. That way we don’t have to take Oln’s men with us back to our camp.”

  “Take them back to the camp? Why would we do that?” Galen asked.

  “The deal you just made. His men will travel with us tomorrow night. Rather than leave them at the meeting spot, or taking them with us back to camp while we announce the deal, why not just send someone ahead to let the Council know, so they can have people moving the crystals to the meeting spot already?”

  Galen finally saw the point Margis was trying to make, and he groaned. He had forgotten they would be taking Oln’s men wit
h them once they left. It would be incredibly disrespectful of them to ask Oln’s men to wait in the mountains for several days while they went back to camp to round up people and crystals.

  Iago pursed his lips, having overheard the conversation. “That's a good point.” He stopped and looked at the others. “So who’s going back?”

  “I will,” Margis said, eagerly.

  Galen nodded. “I would have to stay anyway, so I can’t go.”

  Iago looked at Margis for a second. “You’ll need help getting back.”

  “I remember the path. I can get back just fine. I’ll avoid the Cliffs this time. And those Happaran buildings.”

  Iago shook his head again. “No. It’s not safe to go alone.” Margis turned to Galen for support but found none. He was foolish to think he could make the trip back by himself, Galen thought. Why would he even want to?

  “Saalis, Hal, you two want to go back with him?” asked Iago.

  “Aye,” Saalis said. “I’m not too eager to stay here any longer than I need to.” Hal nodded in agreement.

  “Good.” Iago said. “We split in half then, one Pilot to two Landers. You three should be safe enough traveling back if you’re careful. Just avoid any large groups.”

  “So we’re leaving now?” asked Hal, a hint of sadness in his voice. Everyone became quiet, realizing that after all this time together, they were about to go their separate ways.

  “We should go back to the inn and gather our packs. The sooner we leave the better,” Margis replied.

  “Agreed," Galen said. "I guess we can all go back and see them off, then?”

  Iago nodded. “Let’s go. It's time to pass on some good news for once.”