by CM Raymond
With that, Ezekiel rolled his eyes and walked off toward the rope ladder.
Gregory finally regained his breath, and Sal curled up next to him. He and the dragon had never been closer.
“I don’t know, Sal. I think we could have taken them,” he said, then burst into laughter once again.
****
“What the hell do you mean I was looking at your girl?” Hadley shouted at the top of his lungs. “I didn’t even know you had a girl!”
The porter looked up from his book, and then back down. He’d seen more than one brawl behind the bars, and this was nothing new. Tempers rose when people were locked up, especially if those people were fed a constant stream of intoxicating beverage.
Parker’s face dropped in shock. “Didn’t know?”
“No.”
“How could you not know she was my girl? Are you a freaking idiot or what?”
“Or what.” Hadley grinned. “I mean, I knew you two were friends, and… She is pretty damned hot, but I’ve never seen you make a move or show any kind of affection or anything.”
“The hell, Hadley?” Parker screamed, his voice ramping up the decibels. “We’ve basically been side-by-side since we were babies!”
Hadley raised his brows. “Huh. I never thought of it like that. I thought you were her…”
“Her what?” Parker yelled, his face grew red, and his tone drew the porter’s attention again.
“You know, I thought you were her gay friend. I mean, they all have one, right?” Hadley shrugged. “Listen, I don’t judge, pal. It’s not like we’re living before the Age of Madness after all. I thought she was fair game. Besides, I’m pretty sure she’s into me.”
The two stared each other down, and the porter stood, realizing some shit was about to go down. The rearick was snoring loudly, as if nothing at all was happening—which meant he would be no help. Opening the door, the porter motioned for a guard just outside the jail room to join him. He was going to need back up.
“You mean, you’re not gay?” Hadley asked just as they returned.
“You son of a bitch!” Parker roared. He snapped and rushed the mystic, slamming him against the hard, stone walls.
He continued his attack with several blows to Hadley’s chest, eliciting sharp cries from the mystic.
“Get that door open!” the guard shouted to the porter, who was already fumbling with his keys.
They rushed past the sleeping rearick and grabbed the men, knowing if Parker had much more time, he would tear his cellmate to pieces. It took both of them to pull the Arcadian off the mystic. Just as they broke up the fight, a loud voice behind them said, “Sorry, lads.”
Karl crashed his mug into the back of the guard’s head, dropping him to the floor.
“Seems like a waste of good brew if you ask me,” Karl said, looking at the shattered cup.
Hadley looked up at the porter, whose eyes were now wide with fear. Their ruse had become perfectly clear to him, but it was too late to do anything about it. The mystic’s eyes turned white, and he placed a hand on the Baseeki man’s shoulder. “You’re feeling ridiculously tired. This whole ordeal has worn you out. You should sleep now.”
He nodded, walked to Parker’s cot, and crawled in.
“See, rearick, barbarism isn’t always called for,” he said to Karl.
“Aye,” Karl snorted, “if ya think scramblin’ a man’s brains is civilized, then I’d hate to see ya really mad. Anyway, bet mine stays out longer.” He looked down at the unconscious guard, then back at the two young men. “I don’t mean ta be a critic, but that little show you two put on. A little close to home don’t ya think?”
Parker shrugged. “I couldn’t pull my punches, not if we wanted it to be realistic. But I didn’t know what he was going to come up with for us to act out.”
“Who was acting?” Hadley asked.
“Screw you,” Parker said. “And for the record, I’m not gay.”
Hadley stood, smiling smugly, “You lowlanders and your labels. In my experience, we shouldn’t limit love. Just be honest with yourself, Park.”
Parker rolled his eyes. “Karl, can you—”
Karl put up his hands. “Not gettin' in the middle of this one, mates. And anyway, I need to get this bloke to bed before someone else comes lookin’. This here plan of yers still has a few other parts to be pulled off.” He looked down at the body on the floor. “I’m still kinda pissed yer leaving old Karl behind, ya know.”
“You’re not exactly the sneaky type,” Hadley said, walking for the door.
Parker followed, but then paused, looking back at Karl. “I’m not.”
Karl laughed and waved him off. “Kid, you’ve been drooling over Hannah since the moment I met ya. Everyone knows exactly which way yer wind blows. Now, enough shit about yer preferences and get the hell outta here!”
Despite the size of the large, stone structure, it was relatively empty at this time of night. Parker and Hadley had an easy run out the back and into the shadows of Baseek. Using only the light of a half moon, they ducked down a back alley.
“No. No. No,” Hadley kept saying as they ran.
“They all look the same to me. How are you going to find it?”
Hadley grinned. “Not sure. I just keep doing quick scans, trying to see if someone is talking about Vatan. You have a better idea?”
“My part was getting us out, yours is getting us in,” Parker quipped. “Let’s see how your superpower is going to work now.”
Parker continued down the row, turned left, and stepped out toward the main path that led in front of the houses. “That one,” Hadley said.
“How the…”
Hadley nodded at a man staggering down the street past the hut he had pointed to. “That guy told me. Let’s just say he’s having some not-so-pure thoughts about her.”
Shaking his head, Parker said, “He could do that anywhere.”
“Sure, but just before he stepped in front of that place, he was having impure thoughts about someone else.” He pointed at the man as he moved down the row. “Ewww. You don’t want to know what he’s thinking about the woman in there.” He slapped Parker on the back. “Superpower still working.”
They strolled across the path, hoping they would make it without being noticed. Ducking into the next alley, they made their way to the back of the hut Hadley had chosen.
He laced his fingers together, offering to give Parker a boost.
“Why do I have to go first?” Parker asked.
“I’m a man of the mind. You’re the big bad fighter. But don’t worry, I’ll be out here meditating… and thinking about your girlfriend.”
Parker gave him a jab on the shoulder. “She’s not my girlfriend.”
“Of course, she’s not. Like she’d ever have you,” Hadley said with half a grin. “Now, get your ass in there and then haul me up.”
Lifting himself up, Parker peered into the room. The place was dark, with only a little moonlight splashed through the windows. But as far as he could tell, nobody was home. He held his breath, and gave the window a push. Effortlessly, it slid open, granting him entrance. He pulled himself up and over the sill, onto the floor. He froze, listening for movement, but he heard nothing.
“Thanks, comrade,” Hadley said once Parker hauled him up and into the room. “Now, let’s see what we can find?”
“Yeah, um, what are we looking for anyway?”
“Dunno. Maybe a journal where she writes about the fact that she is a really bad person, bent on torturing Karl, and taking over the universe.”
Parker walked across the room, his eyes adjusting to the lack of light. “I’ll keep my eyes out for that.”
They scoured the bedroom, which was nearly devoid of anything but the bed, and then moved into the open living room and kitchen area. Also, empty. There wasn’t much for them to search other than a few notes on parchment about nothing at all, dishes, and a lumpy couch.
“She’s probably a lot of fun to hang out with,”
Hadley quipped taking in the bare essentials.
“This is weird.”
“Yeah, like she just moved in, or something,” Hadley said, pulling open empty drawers and shutting them again.
“Or… she’s moving out.”
The both froze as they heard the sound of footsteps outside.
“Shit,” Parker whispered. “Go!”
The door swung open before they could reach the window. Even if they did make it out of the room, any detection would be bad for Hannah and likely death for Karl.
Silently, they chose another path. They dropped to the floor and rolled under the bed.
“How cliche,” Hadley whispered.
Parker only gave him a jab in the ribs.
Footsteps moved about the house. The quiet sound of humming—a joyful song—came from the other room. Vatan—or whoever it was—was really quite pleased with the evening.
She walked in, and Parker could see large bare feet move across the floor. They were definitely feminine. She stood for a minute near the corner, then Parker saw a simple cloth dress fall to the ground.
Parker looked over at Hadley who was on his back, eyes closed. He was suddenly very uncomfortable with the idea of his friend reading his thoughts.
She stepped toward them, and Parker was sure his heartbeat could be heard clear across the village. If she looked under the bed now, they would be screwed. But instead, she laid across the bed, still humming that tune.
Hadley’s eyes remained closed, and Parker prayed the mystic had something up his sleeve.
After what felt like an eternity of tense silence and trying not to breath, the Baseeki woman rose to her feet and chose another outfit. She dressed quickly, then walked out the way she came.
When he thought it was safe, Parker exhaled. “Holy shit. Was that her?” Parker whispered.
“Oh, yeah.”
“And…”
“And... We’re in big trouble,” Hadley said. “We need to get the hell out of here.”
“Why? What was she thinking about?” Parker asked.
“Murder.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Karl sat on his cot with the guard and the porter under the blankets on his friends’ beds. It wasn’t a great disguise—considering the Baseeki were both almost a foot taller than Parker and Hadley, but it was the best they could come up with. If it was discovered that the two young men were out sneaking around, the village would erupt.
Karl watched carefully as the door opposite his cell opened. Parker’s plan was about to be put to the test.
As the guard entered, Karl began singing an old folk song from the Heights. The mug in his hand had been empty for hours, but he hoped the prop would be effective. Adding a belch into his repertoire for good measure, Karl smiled wide.
The guard crinkled his nose in disgust.
“Ah, you’re piss drunk, rearick. Why don’t you sleep like your friends?” He stopped and looked around. “Where the hell is the porter, and the man I’m supposed to be replacing?”
Karl stretched his mug in his direction. “I’ve been wonderin’ the same damn thing fer nearly an hour. I’m nearly out.” He motioned to his friends’ spots. “Drank them two under the table hours ago. Care to have a spot with me?”
The man’s face crinkled again and Karl wondered if it was a medical condition.
“No, I don’t want to drink with you.” He paused, as the unconscious guard started to move and moan under his sheet.
Karl froze. He had lost the bet with Hadley; his guy was definitely coming to first—and far too soon.
Nodding toward the unconscious guard, the replacement asked, “Is something wrong with him?”
“Ha ha he’s just a pisser!” Karl yelled. “It’s alright then, if ye don’t wanna drink with me. Drinkin’ alone is just as good anyway. Have yerself a good evening,” Karl said more quickly than he had meant to.
The guard looked suspiciously at Karl, who had never been very good at acting—or lying—and then over at the man on the bed.
“Shit. The chief will have my ass if one of you chokes on your vomit.” The guard pulled a key from his pocket and approached the bars.
“Scheisse, man, those Arcadians can drink like fish, but they sleep like cats. Don’t worry ‘bout a thing. I’ll watch ‘em.”
He ignored Karl and swung the gate open. Striding across the cell, he pulled on the sheet, exposing the guard, half-conscious and bound to the rails of the cot. Turning, he opened his mouth to say something to the drunk rearick. Before he could, a mostly sober Karl caught him with a fist in the stomach, and then another across the face.
Karl looked down at the unconscious man, then scanned the room. “Well, hell. What am I gonna do with another one of them?”
****
Laurel was already poking around the scene by the time she and Aysa arrived. Gathered in a circle on the edges, the men watched her careful work, making comments of admiration—mostly about her skills.
One of the men made a comment about the curve of her ass just as Hannah arrived.
“Careful,” she said, “her boyfriend is freaking enormous and eats pricks like you for breakfast.”
His eyes grew big. “Really?”
She snorted as she laughed. “Nah. He’s actually a skinny, little nerd. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. I, on the other hand, will incinerate you if you even think another thought about my friend’s ass. And trust me, I’ll know.” Her eyes flashed red as she spoke, and the man’s face turned pale.
“Shit. Sorry,” he mumbled. “And... sorry for those other thoughts, too.”
Hannah slapped him on the arm. “Good boy. Gotta treat the Arcadian Valley girls with respect, or you’ll get your balls stomped.” She gave him a seductive wink and watched as his eyes opened in terror.
Laughing, she joined Laurel. “Whatta ya got?”
“Nearly the same as the last time. Not much of a struggle, if any at all. Nothing that raises too much suspicion.” Laurel crouched at the base of a tree. “Except these.”
She picked up short lengths of rope. They had knots in them, but were sliced in half by a serrated knife.
“They were tied up here?” Hannah pointed at the tree.
Laurel tilted her head. “Just one person—probably Samet. Still no sign of his guards.” Nodding to the eastern side of the clearing, she said, “They left that way. I checked, but the trail disperses. No idea if they were truly heading toward Kofken or somewhere else. There’s a four-way intersection in the trail ahead, they could have travelled further east and down to Kofken. Or they could have doubled back to keep us running in circles.”
“Damn,” Hannah said, making a fist by her side. “Wish I had some sort of magic that could track them.”
Laurel laughed. “You do, girlfriend. Just haven’t learned this one yet. Watch. And take notes.” She jabbed Hannah playfully on the shoulder. “Always wanted to say that to you.”
The druid dropped to her knees, sitting on her heels. Palms up in her lap, she closed her eyes and started muttering. As she did, the hidden animal world around them exploded. A flock of birds swooped in, dipped and then flew out of sight. A little animal—something that looked like a groundhog—scurried across the clearing. Even the bugs started chirping, screaming their allegiance.
Laurel continued until a she wolf, with one gray-blue eye and one brown, crept out of the woods. Without looking at any of the other humans, she walked straight to Laurel and rested her head on the druid’s lap. Bending, Laurel wrapped her arms around the creature, her eyes covered over with green.
The rest of the group stood still, trying not to draw the animal’s attention.
After a moment, the wolf rose and turned for the cut vines. She sniffed and walked around the tree several times before trotting out to the spot where the group had left the clearing.
“We have a new member of our team,” Laurel smiled. “She reminds me of one of the warrior’s wolves in the Forest. Luna. She’ll be more help to us th
an anything else.”
“And she’s a lot smarter than the lot of you,” Hannah said nodding at Dardanus and his men.
He chuckled at her jab this time. “We’ll see, Arcadian.”
They sped off down the trail after the wolf, a creature much faster than any of them. Every hundred yards or so, she would turn and wait, long pink tongue hanging from her mouth.
It wasn’t far before they hit the intersection Laurel had described, where four well-worn paths split, one in each direction. The wolf walked in circles, sniffing each trail several times. She turned her head toward Laurel, multi-colored eyes blinking, before she took off down the path that continued east.
“She wants us to wait,” Laurel said.
“Bullshit,” said one of the men. “Just some stray mutt.”
Laurel grinned. “She’ll be back. And call her that again, and I imagine that mutt might just show you what she’s made of.”
He glanced up at Dardanus, who gave a shake of his head. The man slunk to the back of the line.
A few minutes later, Laurel’s friend returned, nose in the ground once again before she chose her path. Taking several strides, she turned and howled into the air.
“She’s got it.” Laurel beamed with pride and took off after the wolf. The others continued on her heels.
“Damn it,” Dardanus grumbled.
Hannah asked what troubled him.
“That’s the path to Kofken. All this time I had convinced myself that it couldn’t be them, that all the talk about the tribe and its violence against Baseek was just that—talk. But if that wolf is right…”
“Our priority is to find the kid. We’ll deal with whatever we find when we get there.”
The ground beneath them grew rocky, and the path began its long descent into Kofken. After only a minute, the village came into sight. Rows and rows of tiny huts, all aligned perfectly, led toward the sea. In the middle, a building stood, bigger and grander than the others. If Hannah didn’t know better, she’d swear she was walking right back into Baseek. From this distance, they could have been identical.
She stumbled down the path behind the Baseeki, who seemed to effortlessly glide over the rough terrain. They stopped short, and she nearly took one out since she was watching her damned feet to keep from stumbling over the rocks.