A Balance Broken (Dragonsoul Saga)

by Hartke, J. T.

  “By the Waters!” The older brother breathed heavily. “It is about time one of you bastards showed up!”

  The two men in plain green tunics gawked at the scene their lanterns revealed. They appeared even more startled to see one of their officers.

  One blinked at the stars on the older brother’s tunic. “Captain?”

  Ignoring his wound, the captain pointed to a guardsman. “Gather your entire squad and return here immediately.” The guard ran away, the thud of his boots echoing off the cobblestones. The captain turned to the other. “You begin pulling these bodies into a line right here.” He faced Maddi. “And you Miss – I don’t know how to thank you. We would be dead or worse had you not shown up. If you would remain here for a few minutes…”

  Maddi gulped, looking for a way out.

  The younger brother moaned as the captain pulled the bag from his head. He knelt down, a concerned furrow in his brow.

  “I know some healing,” Maddi admitted and squatted beside them. She reached into her bag and pulled out a clean cloth, first making certain the bleeding on the young man’s scalp stopped, before taking out another to staunch the captain’s wounds. “This will need stitches or Talent.” She stuck a second bandage upon his shoulder. “I was walking home for the night and saw them jump you. I don’t like an unfair fight.”

  The captain smiled. “I noticed you following us. I had thought you perchance a thief from the way you used the darkness.”

  Maddi gave an offended huff. “Your eyes would have been better used on the rest of your surroundings, it seems.”

  The captain nodded, Maddi catching a hint of color on the tips of his ears in the lamplight. “Fair enough. You are our savior, and here I am with poorly-veiled accusations.” He held the bandage on his shoulder while she tied it. “I am Captain Jaerd Westar of the Gavanor guard. And this…” He grunted, helping the other to his feet. “…is my brother Tallen.”

  The young man’s eyes met hers. Even dazed as they were by the blow, they focused on her face with an intelligent gaze. “Thank you, Miss. You saved my life. That bugger had a hold on me, and I was too addled to think straight.” He brushed gingerly at his wound. “I don’t know what he hit me with, but it knocked me right out.”

  “It was risky, but I could not let them have you.” Maddi pulled him down to get a better look at his head. It did not need a stitch, but he would have a goose egg for a few days. “My name is Maddi. As I told your brother, I do not like an uneven fight.”

  The guard returned and the last body went onto the pile. Shouts broke the nighttime silence. An entire squad dashed into the plaza. Maddi’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of so many green-cloaked soldiers.

  “Sir?” The guardsman’s voice quivered as he stared at their bodies. “I think there is something wrong with these dead men.” The man’s voice broke again. “The light, sir – it showed me their faces.”

  “They are not men, corporal.” The captain waved over the guards who entered the plaza. “And you will keep that to yourself, or I’ll have you guarding the latrine outflows.”

  Maddi gasped when she looked closer at the pile of bodies. The lantern showed their greenish skin. Their heavy jaws hung slack, exposing large, upward-protruding canines. The foreheads sloped more than a human, while the few open eyes gleamed blood red in the light.

  “Are those…orcs?” she whispered in shock.

  With guards swarming around them, the brothers looked at one another. Several of the soldiers murmured in surprise at the sight of the corpses.

  Captain Westar pointed at the senior sergeant. “Take these bodies directly to the citadel. Keep them under guard until I or someone of higher rank comes to inspect them.” He pointed his finger at each of the men in turn. “All of you are under strict orders to remain silent as to what you see here.”

  Maddi took a couple of steps backward, searching for an escape route.

  The captain turned to her with a concerned frown. “I’m sorry, miss. But I must insist that you remain with us.”

  “Am I under arrest?” Maddi glanced around for a way out, but saw none. More guards arrived, setting up a perimeter to ensure the few midnight passersby avoided the scene.

  The officer smiled. “Consider yourself a guest, if you prefer. Either way, there are questions that will need answering.”

  Maddi shifted her feet. Fighting won’t help me now. At least I may have made a friend in high places. This will teach me to follow a man because he is cute! She sighed in resignation. “Very well, Captain. I will wait here – for now. Since I saved you.”

  The younger brother, Tallen, smiled at her with the kind of smile that infected others. “Don’t worry.” His grin widened. “You aren’t the first to be taken into custody lately. It’s not so bad.”

  The Orcs have seldom risen in force since the Dragon Wars. The Dragonscales block most of their entry into the southern nations of Tarmor. Highspur plugs the only gap. Those that might miss the patrols of the Unified Guard stationed there must still cross the wastes of lost Lond. Reports claim that Orcs have also been known to sail through the treacherous Dragons’ Teeth. This Historian could not confirm these reports.

  — Elyn Bravano’s “History of Gannon, Appendix D”

  Shuddering, Tallen watched the horse-drawn cart stacked with corpses. A tarp had been spread across the wagon trundling away from the scene, concealing every hint of green skin.

  The citadel towers loomed over his head, set against the half full moon. Nearly a dozen guards gathered around, each wearing strict determination or masked fear on their faces. They had followed the cart through the streets of Gavanor, keeping any citizens from peeking too closely. Now they appeared to wonder what to do with themselves.

  “Hold still.” The yellow-fringed Bluecloak took his hands from Jaerd. He turned his pinched face to Tallen and reached for his head. In an instant, he felt a cool tingle where the orc had struck him. He sensed the skin knit itself together. A prickle ran across his scalp, as if his hair grew faster. He had known the touch of a Talented healer only once before. But then I was just a kid who had fallen out of a tree. This is entirely different.

  From the corner of his eye, Tallen watched his brother bark a command at the sergeant in charge. “Set four men to watch the morgue once the bodies are taken inside.” He turned to the others and pointed. “The rest of you are dismissed for the night. Remember your silence.”

  The men nodded before running off to their duties. The sergeant led his four chosen soldiers to follow the cart carrying the bodies.

  Jaerd faced the young woman. “You must come with me for now. The duke will decide whether to trust your silence. I will recommend that he does.”

  Tallen thought it cute the way her nose crinkled when she scowled at Jaerd.

  “It’s not right that I become a prisoner for saving your lives.” Maddi balled her fists. “Who knows where the two of you might be right now had I not been there?”

  Tallen looked at Jaerd. “She’s got a point, you know.”

  “If it were up to me, I would trust her word, but it is not.” Jaerd held out his hand toward the door that entered the great hall of the citadel. “Please.”

  Tallen waited for Maddi to walk before joining in beside her. His nose caught a hint of jasmine. Her pale blue eyes drew him in, and the slim curve of her hip awakened other senses. She also has spirit and wit. I like that as much as anything.

  Inside, servants still cleaned the remains of the evening banquet. One or two nobles chatted in quiet corners over a final goblet of wine, but most had left for the night. Jaerd led them along the side and through the door into the central tower. Before they took ten steps, two blue cloaks swirled around the corner.

  “Tallen…and Captain Westar.” Boris smiled, his face unsurprised. “And another friend I have not met.”

  An acid tone laced her
reply. “Maddi.”

  Magus Britt laughed. “She doesn’t seem that happy to be returning from a night out with the two of you.”

  Tallen felt the young woman bristle. He jumped in before she could say anything harsh to his teacher. “She saved our lives. Jaerd and I were in the city. We were attacked by orcs!”

  “What!?” Magus Britt spat. Earl Boris took a half step forward, a sudden wariness on his features.

  Raising a finger to his lips, Jaerd shushed his younger brother. “Not so loud, and not in the hall.” Tallen felt heat rising in his ears, when Jaerd turned back to the Bluecloaks and snapped a quick salute. “The bodies are in the morgue, sirs. Only a dozen men know something is up, and only a few of those know for certain what happened.” Jaerd folded his arms across the two rows of steel buttons on his chest. “I gave them strict commands to silence. I believe they can be trusted – for the time being.”

  Boris gave Magus Britt a hard look. “Get down to that morgue. Go over those bodies with a Jade Isles comb.” He lifted an eyebrow. “Don’t miss anything.”

  The Battlemage nodded and hurried out the front door faster than Tallen had ever seen him move.

  “The rest of you come with me.” Boris’ voice was firm. “We just left the duke in his private study. He should still be there. We must make him aware of what has happened.”

  Jaerd nodded. “Informing the duke in private was my original plan, until the beans got spilled.” A sidelong glance at his brother made Tallen blush again. “No offense to you, My Lord Earl.”

  Boris held up his hand. “You are loyal to your liege. I cannot find fault with that.”

  Tallen followed the two soldiers at a short distance, noting how Boris and Jaerd stalked the hall with a similar carriage. Maddi walked beside Tallen, her eyes scanning the surroundings like a trapped animal.

  “You can breathe easy,” Tallen whispered to her. Her scent filled his nostrils when he leaned closer. “These are fair nobles to deal with. Some are far worse, believe me.”

  “Lessons on nobles from a farm boy.” Maddi gave him a disdainful look, tossing a hand through the air. “Or perhaps you are a minor noble yourself? Is that how your brother reached his rank?” She looked him up and down, cocking an eyebrow. “What’s with your clothing, by the way? You look like your mother turned the old curtains into a wizard robe for you to play in.”

  This time the heat rushed to his cheekbones. He feared pink might become his natural color around her. “I am not playing.” He kept his voice stern. “Nor am I a farmer. And I am certainly no noble.” Tallen straightened his shoulders. “I am chef at the finest inn west of Gavanor. And these Bluecloaks you so distrust are escorting me to the Isle of Wizards so that I might become a mage myself.”

  The young woman paused in her steps. Tallen sped up so that he might leave her farther behind. He heard the shift of a guard’s mail, followed by her quick steps back to his side.

  “Then why did you not use your magic to save yourself from the…the attackers?” she asked, catching up.

  Tallen shrugged. Magus Britt’s slow teaching style frustrated him. “I am not yet allowed to use my power. Not until I have received training.” He grumbled. “I’m not even allowed to Dream any more.”

  Scrunching up her nose again, Maddi shook her head. “That seems foolish. Someone is obviously out to get you. Someone should teach you to protect yourself.”

  “I intend to do just that,” Jaerd announced from ahead. He and Boris mounted the stairwell that spiraled up the tower. “It was foolish enough for me to go out without arming myself. I will see to it that he is not without protection again.” The captain in green looked at the earl in blue. “I will ask leave of my duties to join you in escorting my brother, Lord Earl, if that is acceptable to you.”

  Boris appraised Jaerd with a discerning gaze. “I would not object to your company as we continue eastward. A group of dwarves has asked to join us as well. I did not expect to need numbers to guard us.” With a nod of approval, the earl returned his focus to the stairs. “We will take a boat upon the Andon at first light. It will be safer and faster than the road.”

  Half a dozen flights up, they reached the duke’s study. Tallen breathed a sigh of relief when they approached it, and Boris knocked at the door. Jaerd snapped to attention when it opened.

  “My Lord Duke,” he began before Boris could say a word. “I have urgent news from the city. I must deliver it to you behind closed doors.”

  Duke Aginor stood with a half-empty glass of brandy. The smell of pipe and hickory smoke wafted out from behind him. “Then please come in, Captain. And your companions?”

  Jaerd nodded. “They are witnesses, Your Grace.”

  The duke swung the door wide and waved them all inside.

  Stone-flagged walls greeted Tallen, as did the brisk night air blowing in through the open windows. Almost five hundred yards above the surface of the river, the early summer nights were still cool. A fire crackled away around split logs in the hearth along the outer wall. Tallen perched on the wide settee to which the duke pointed. He could not stop the smile that cracked his lips when Maddi positioned herself beside him, her eyes searching the room like a trapped cat. Jaerd stood at attention near the door, and Boris rubbed his hands by the fire.

  Duke Aginor pulled out a tray with crystal glasses and a decanter filled with a caramel liquid. “I believe you enjoyed this when you last came to Gavanor, My Lord Earl.” He looked at the others, lifting his own glass. “Anyone care for a snort with their bad news? I often do.”

  Boris nodded, and the duke filled one for him.

  “Sure, why not?” Maddi held out her hand. “If it’s the duke’s personal stock, who am I to turn it down?”

  Aginor smiled and handed her a couple of fingers of the golden liquor. Its bouquet warmed Tallen’s nose, even at this distance.

  It smells wonderful, but since Jaerd isn’t having any…

  The duke joined Boris near the fire. “Go ahead, Captain.”

  Jaerd nodded and explained, his voice crisp with formality. “Tallen and I had just entered Cooper’s Plaza when six cloaked figures jumped us. They demanded we accompany them. I refused. Lucky for us, this young woman came along. She was very handy with her knives.”

  Boris raised an eyebrow, as did the duke.

  “What did these men want with you?” Aginor sipped from his brandy, staring intently at his officer.

  “I believe it was Tallen they were after, my lord.” Jaerd nodded with certainty. “They hit him with a blackjack and threw a bag over his head. Then they had no compunction drawing daggers on me.” He nodded again. “It is obvious that my brother was their intended prize.”

  Boris raised a fist to his lips and nodded his head as if something clicked inside it.

  “There is something more though, isn’t there?” The duke’s eyes focused on Jaerd while he took another sip.

  Jaerd’s voice remained as flat as if he said that rain was wet. “They were orcs, sir.”

  The duke set his brandy down on the windowsill and stared out into the night.

  “Joslyn is examining the bodies,” Boris said while the duke focused silently on his city. “Captain Westar brought them here in strict secrecy. They are in the morgue.”

  Duke Aginor gulped down the rest of his brandy and moved to pour another. “Orcs within the city. Are you certain?”

  “As certain as I can be, Your Grace,” Jaerd replied, still at attention. “I have not fought them before, but I know them by description. Greenish skin – almost as short as dwarves but not quite as stocky. Blood red eyes.”

  “That’s an orc,” Boris said, slamming a fist into his hand. “I knew something stirred. The mood at Highspur was unmistakable.”

  The duke set down his drink. “You told me things were peaceful there.”

  Boris nodded his fist back o
n his chin. “They are. Too peaceful. The Northlands remained silent this spring. It worries me.”

  A knock rang at the door, insistent and impertinent. Without waiting, Magus Britt stomped in, huffing for breath. Tallen shifted upon seeing his teacher enter, and his knee brushed Maddi’s. The touch lasted only a moment, but it made his heart quicken far more than the mention of Highspur.

  “They are orcs, or I’ve never seen one.” From the growl in his tone, Tallen was certain Magus Britt had seen them. “A crack squad, I would say. Boar Clan from the tattoos.” The Battlemage stepped forward, reaching into his red-fringed cloak. “I found these. I intend on doing a full autopsy yet tonight, but I thought my discoveries important enough to report them first.”

  He pulled out a smooth, dark stone. It appeared made of a small piece of smoky glass, worn smooth from centuries of water. He held it in the palm of his hand.

  “It is magical.” The mage’s voice hovered in a reverent tone. “Deep, strong magic. I have been unable to probe it very far as yet.” He scratched his forehead.

  I’ve never seen Magus Britt so concerned.

  “What is it Joz?” Boris whispered. “You have a suspicion…”

  “I’m not certain, and I hesitate to speculate.” The mage looked at Tallen. “But its power became clearer to me when I entered this room. It’s almost as if it seeks something, or someone, nearby.”

  “What do you mean?” Tallen’s voice squeaked. He cleared his throat when he noticed Maddi’s mocking smile.

  “There is something else.” Magus Britt’s eyes pierced into Tallen. They held more compassion than normal. The mage reached into his cloak again, pulling out a tangled web of gold. A pink and green ribbon twisted about it. “Do you recognize this, Tallen?”

  He tried to rise from the settee and step forward, but his knees refused to work properly. His breath came quick and harsh. Forcing strength to his limbs, Tallen stood and took the twist of hair and ribbon.

  “Jennette’s braid,” he muttered. “How did these orcs…”