by D. M. Murray
Agurk walked towards the door at the other end of the antechamber, indicating for Kalfinar and his companions to follow. As they did, half the remaining door guards formed a rank around them.
“Nice welcome they’re giving us,” Broden quipped.
“Who’s the boss?” Evelyne asked Rondo, drawing Kalfinar’s attention from the guards.
“Her name is Ohasha,” Rondo replied under his breath. “She’s what I would call the administrator of the less official side of Nabruuk’s society. She’ll assist you.”
Agurk led them through another secure entry. They entered into a bright and comfortably appointed waiting area.
“Wait.” Agurk grunted as he left them standing in the centre of the room. He headed through a heavy, black-stained door into a side chamber.
*
Agurk came out from the side room and motioned for them to follow. “Come, the boss will see you.”
They entered a large, round room lit in a soft light by several oil lamps and candles. The ceiling hung low and curved into a dome. Along the walls of the room, stood a dozen armed men and women. As with Agurk, their weapons and armour were mismatched, more personal collections than uniform.
Kalfinar’s focus was drawn to a huge, polished wood table and the woman who sat behind it. She was of late-middle years and possessed a hard-edged beauty. Her shining black hair was shot with grey and hung thick on her shoulders. Her dark skin was smooth, and wrinkle-free. The eyes that watched them as they walked towards the middle of the room were those of a wolf. Cunning and ruthless.
Her dark-lined eyes narrowed and a smile played across her lips as she beheld Evelyne.
Kalfinar felt a strange desire to step in front of Evelyne.
“That’s Ohasha. Follow my actions and watch your tongue.” Rondo whispered to his colleagues before executing an extravagant bow.
They each followed suit and bowed to the woman behind the desk.
She looked steadily at each newcomer as they stood in silence before her. Her eyes rested on Evelyne.
Again, Kalfinar felt the unusual urge to step before Evelyne and block the older woman’s stares.
At last, Ohasha spoke, her eyes locked on Rondo’s. “You know the rules about bringing strangers to us when there is trouble afoot. Why then do these three stand before me?” Ohasha rested back into her tall chair and swung her feet up onto the polished surface of the table. She wore knee-high leather boots with black leather trews tucked into the tops. The shine of metal was apparent down the outside of her left knee, though Kalfinar could not quite determine its function.
“My lady, these three come with only a plea for aid. They are of the Free Provinces. Captains Kalfinar and Broden.
Ohasha nodded, but her eyes stared long at Evelyne, tracing the shape of her hips and breasts with a hungry lust. “And what of the woman? She’s a fine thing,” she interrupted Rondo.
“Ah, Lady Evelyne. She is Tuannan,” Rondo added.
“A woman of skill,” Ohasha said. She smiled, revealing teeth stained from years of tabac. “I’d be most keen to learn of your abilities, my lady.” Ohasha’s eyes made it obvious what she was interested in learning. She pulled her gaze back to Rondo. “And how do they come to be before me?”
Rondo answered, “The raiders came for me again. They came to my home, but my companions came to my aid and we were able to escape. No one saw us enter the tunnel.”
“And for what purpose are they here in Canna? We know there are rumblings of war. We’re not veiled by ignorance here. We too have agents embedded within your societies, as your friend Major Bergnon was embedded within ours.”
Kalfinar did not flinch.
Ohasha’s eyes locked with his. “I know of you, Kalfinar. I know of your people, and of whom your commanders send to spy on us. What I don’t know is why you are here in Nabruuk.”
Kalfinar’s eyes flicked to Evelyne before he spoke. “We seek someone within the confines of the palace. We must speak with them. If we cannot, then the trouble with Solansia will not be for the Free Provinces alone.”
Ohasha burst with rage. Her feet flashed off the table as she stood. Her chair screeched backwards and she slammed her hands down hard on the desk. The rings on her fingers clanged loudly as they met polished wood. “Do not presume we Cannan’s are defenceless against the like of the Solansians! What makes you think we would allow you access to our royal house with such ease?” Her face was reddened. She breathed slow, resting herself back into her seat. Ohasha looked closely at the surface of her desk before smoothing a hand over the surface where her rings had scuffed the finish. “Shit. I just had that fixed.”
Rondo discreetly whispered under his breath, “Let it pass. She’s dangerous when angry.”
Kalfinar did not react until the woman looked back at him. “I don’t presume anything. I know what comes and it comes to us all. That includes me, you, and all the people of Canna. The same people who are right now fighting for their lives out in your streets.” Kalfinar stared hard at Ohasha as he spoke. “Whilst you sit here in your hole.”
Rondo groaned.
“How dare you, dog!” Ohasha roared, slamming her balled fist into the table before him.
The guards around the room stepped forward and placed hands to weapons.
Rondo shrunk as Ohasha stepped out from behind her desk.
The raging woman picked up a metal-plated club as she rounded the desk. She walked with a heavy limp on the left side. An articulated metal frame rounded her knee, providing support to some injury. “I’ll have the tongue torn from you and have you eat your fucking balls for—”
Kalfinar cut the enraged woman off as she shouted, his own voice dead calm, “If you maintain this course, then you condemn countless to death. Likely yourself along with them.”
“Guards!” Ohasha screeched, prompting her men to close a circle of sharp edges around Kalfinar and the party.
“No, not countless.” Ohasha pointed the scuffed metal end of the club towards Kalfinar. “Just you and your friends. Except maybe the girl. I could find some uses for her.”
The guards stopped within several feet of them.
“Kal, I hope you know what you’re doing,” Broden said as he set himself in a defensive stance.
“Think this through, Ohasha,” Kalfinar said, raising his hands in supplication. “Why should we fight amongst ourselves whilst Grunnxe ravages our people? Our kin? Our lands? Ohasha, if you love Canna, then we must work as one. We can put an end to Grunnxe or we can shed blood amongst those who should be standing side-by-side.” His eyes never broke from Ohasha’s.
“We need your help,” Evelyne said.
Ohasha blinked and her club arm lowered. “You have a beautiful voice. The perfect package, it would seem.”
“We need your help,” Evelyne repeated. “There is one within the palace that we must speak with. They hold the path of all our fates.”
“This thing you require, will it stop the Solansians?” Ohasha asked.
“It is greater than that,” Evelyne replied. “Without our work being done, there is only darkness. All will fall to death or slavery, from the beggar to the Father of the People.”
“The Father of the People?” Ohasha’s gaze was uncertain before faltering. “Stand down.” The fury had yet to fade from her face as she stared hard at Kalfinar and pointed her metal-shod club at him. “You’d do well to show some respect, Captain. I’ve had more dealings in blood than you’ll have had horse miles. I don’t usually allow such words to be issued towards me.”
Kalfinar nodded his head respectfully. “I apologise, Ohasha. Our need is urgent and we don’t have much time. I let it cloud my manner.”
“Many things cloud our minds from time to time. I too am known to be hasty,” Ohasha said, her rage dissipating. “If what you say is true, then my anger is best being spent elsewhere. What would you have me do?”
*
Kalfinar outlined the need for access to the palace whilst O
hasha had servants bring them coffees and maps of the complex.
Broden looked quizzically at Ohasha after scanning the detailed schematics of the palace complex. “How is it someone such as you has come by such detailed plans of the palace?” he asked before slurping the bitter coffee.
“Someone such as me?” Ohasha repeated, one thick, dark eyebrow arching. “You mean a criminal? A thief?”
Broden raised his hands. “I meant no offence.”
“I’m not some simple Queen of Thieves. I served for many years in the Cannan Fleet. It was when the fleet met your Governor Abbonan that I got this.” She tapped at the metal scaffold around her knee. “Before my forced retirement into this life, I served under the Father of the People. We were close, as comrades often are when they bond over blood. I swore to give my life for him, and that oath stands more true today than my leg. I hold such plans that I may serve him and his, should I ever have need to protect them. It seems tonight is that night.”
Kalfinar interrupted, “Ohasha, the tunnel leads to the armoury in the basement?”
“Yes.”
“And we can access the armoury through an old vent?” He pointed towards the annotated diagram before him.
“It’s an old chimney,” she replied. “It’s easy. Some of my men will come with you. They’re former palace guards.”
“My thanks,” Kalfinar replied.
“Perhaps it would be wise to leave the Lady Evelyne here,” Ohasha suggested, her eyes glancing back along the curves of her body. “It would be a great shame to place one so beautiful in such harm.”
“I’m afraid she’s the most important person we can have within. She is to guide us,” Kalfinar said.
“I see,” Ohasha said as she pulled on a leather shoulder-webbing.
Kalfinar watched as she picked up two hatchets and slipped them into their respective holsters. “I presume this means you’re coming with us.”
“I swore an oath.” Ohasha’s grin was devoid of humour. “I intend to see it fulfilled.”
*
“Are we close?” Kalfinar asked as they made their way along the dimly lit tunnel, crouching low.
“Yes, we’re moving closer,” Evelyne replied. “The sensation has not shifted for some time. They haven’t moved.”
“Shhsh,” one of the guardsmen hissed. “We’ve passed the outer wall. Still your voices.”
Kalfinar grunted in response as they continued deeper into the tunnel.
A short while later, the guardsmen in front froze and raised his hand, bringing Evelyne to an abrupt stop. Kalfinar bumped into her from behind.
He felt himself flush. Get a grip on yourself. Although it was dark, he could sense Evelyne was looking at him. Is she smiling?
“We’re here,” the guard whispered, breaking Kalfinar off from an awkward desire to say something. “Wait a moment.” The guard melted into the darkness before returning moments later. “Come. The way is clear.”
He led them into a dark alcove off the tunnel. It was lower than the rest of the passage, causing them to stoop so they could fit.
“See, the hole.” The guard pointed to the small square of lighter dark before them. “That leads to the chimney of the armoury. The fire’s no longer in use. Just pull yourself through and land in the fireplace. I’ll go first and make sure the way is clear. Don’t hesitate; we may not have much time.” He pulled himself through the gap and disappeared out of view.
Broden shrugged, though the motion was almost lost on Kalfinar in the dark passage. “Don’t see how I’m going to fit in there,” the big man said.
“Come, now,” the guardsman urged from beyond sight.
“Suppose you’ll just have to find a way,” Kalfinar grumbled as he, in cumbersome fashion, pulled himself through the gap and landed in the fireplace with a soft thud.
Rondo came next, without emitting even the faintest of sounds.
Evelyne’s slender figure slipped into sight whilst Rondo was still patting himself down. She landed in a crouch, her hand on the hilt of her sword.
Kalfinar gave her a nod and received a smile in return.
“Nothing to it,” Broden’s voice could be heard through the space.
Kalfinar looked around the armoury. The room was small, but every wall was lined with weaponry. An assorted array of blades, spears, axes, and bows were contained within, as well as barrels stacked in the far corner.
“Volatile compounds,” Rondo whispered. “Explains why the fire is out of commission.”
“I think we should have a talk about these compounds—”
Grunts from the fireplace stole Kalfinar’s attention. He and Evelyne approached and bent to look up the chimney. They were met by Broden’s red face as he struggled to shift his frame through the gap.
“Don’t say a word,” Broden hissed, his voice straining as he shifted and wriggled.
“Move it, fool!” Ohasha’s voice could be faintly heard beyond Broden’s wedged body.
Kalfinar rolled his eyes and stood upright, followed by Evelyne with a smile creeping on her lips.
“How do you feel?” Kalfinar asked.
“They remain close. I’ve not felt any change in distance. They’re in the same location.”
“Still alarmed, as before?”
“More so. We must be quick.” Her eyes held Kalfinar’s with urgency.
An almighty crash sounded from the hearth. The noise resounded around the armoury and caused the guard listening by the door to jump. They approached where Broden lay sprawled on his back, covered from head to toe in soot.
His face contorted in pain as he pulled himself to his feet. “Think we may need to find another way out.” He smiled, his bright white teeth juxtaposed against his soot-stained face.
“You make much noise, Red-hair,” the guard said in his accented tongue as his colleague softly landed behind Broden, soon followed by Ohasha.
“Come now. Put these on,” the first guard said, reaching for black pantaloons and a blue smock, the customary uniform of palace guards. “Take the sash and wrap it around the waist twice, navel height. Tie it off in a knot at the left side.” The guard tossed a maroon silken sash to each of them, followed by a maroon headscarf. “We’ll tie your headwear for you. You two, cover your faces,” the guard spoke to Broden and Evelyne.
Ohasha looked at Kalfinar before saying, “You I think can perhaps pass for a Cannan. A light skinned Cannan anyway.” She chuckled to herself.
They worked fast and were soon dressed in the garb of palace guards. Kalfinar looked towards Evelyne, who closed her eyes, seeking the sensation that would mark their course.
“Let’s move,” she said, prompting the first guard to open the armoury door.
They slipped into a lamp lit hallway of broad paving slabs and decorated walls. Fine tapestries of renowned Cannan weave hung along the entire length, a considerable distance in each direction. The air smelled of incense and perfumed oils.
Evelyne pointed to the right and, with silent steps, they made their way to the end of the hall. The space opened into a large hall with broad stone staircases rising on opposite sides. A sentry stood by the base of each staircase, spear in hand.
The first of Ohasha’s guards walked across the open area, exposing himself to the two sentries.
“Keep on. Don’t break stride,” Ohasha said to the rest of the party.
They obeyed her instructions, moving into the open space. The first guard approached the nearest of the two sentries and greeted him in Cannan. As the sentry replied, the guard spun on his toes and brought his rear leg around in a smooth circle. His heel crashed into the back of the sentry’s head and sent the man to the stone floor in an unconscious heap.
Before the sentry hit the ground, the first guard charged the second sentry. He sprung forward in front of the sentry and completed a full forward roll before springing upwards with his feet driving into the sentry’s body.
“Impressive,” Broden said. “You people know how to
make a fight look good!”
“Surely your Governor Abbonan told you that already?” Ohasha grinned. “Come on.” She cleared the rest of the distance between the unconscious sentries.
Kalfinar and the remainder of the party covered the ground in seconds. Evelyne paused momentarily before pointing up the farthest staircase. The first guard bounded up the steps, ensuring the top was clear before motioning for the others to follow.
“We must move further,” Evelyne whispered. “They’re towards the top of the palace.”
“My lady,” the second guard said, “the top of the palace is the royal quarters. We cannot access at that point. There will be too many guards.”
“I may be able to sway some opinions,” Ohasha said, her hands resting on the handles of her hatchets.
“It’ll hopefully not come to that,” Kalfinar said as he looked to Evelyne. “What do you feel?”
She sought a way, her eyes fixed shut. In an instant, they flashed open, her ice-blue eyes locking on Kalfinar’s. A scream ran out in the distant reaches of the palace, followed by the clash of steel and further cries of pain and fear.
“Quick! Something’s wrong! We must protect the Horn!” Evelyne hissed. She ran up the stairs, bounding them two at a time. She had made it up the first flight before the others caught up with her.
“Damn you people,” the first guard grunted as he ran. “You better know what you’re doing or we’re all dead this night.”
Bodies of raiders and palace guards lay tangled in death, their blood married on the cold stone steps as Kalfinar and his companions bounded towards the Cannan royal quarters.
“We must hurry. I sense them moving,” Evelyne shouted from the rear as the party moved swiftly, their weapons readied. The sound of commotion and conflict grew as they leapt up the final steps. “We must protect the Horn. They are still vulnerable.”
Kalfinar had his hatchet held ready as he burst onto the onyx and gold landing and rounded the corner. He was met by a flash of steel. Instinctively, he fell to his knees in a fluid motion and slid beneath the advancing blow.