Koyo shifted around uncomfortably. “It is far to the southeast.”
The farther east one traveled the wilder and more dangerous the journey became. Most sailors avoided the far east lands, the risk versus reward didn’t justify the trip. However, there were always sailors looking for new lands to discover. The Stoneblood trading company didn’t need to discover new lands to make a profit, so Hanna hadn’t sailed those lands and knew little of them. “What can you tell me of Caruana?”
“Not much,” admitted Koyo. “Nothing that Captain Rozad can’t tell you.”
Hanna’s brow furrowed. Koyo wasn’t one to avoid telling a story. What was he not saying? She turned to Captain Rozad and gave him an expecting look.
“One of the first voyages we took with your father as captain,” said Captain Rozad. “Back then we had been sailing on a Creytan merchant ship, until a pirate ship attacked. The owner of the merchant ship we were sailing on was so frightened of the pirate ship that he told the crew if they got back to Creyta without being ravaged by pirates he’d give them a share of the profits. We had no chance of outrunning the pirate ship and only a few of the crew were fighters. The owner of the merchant ship had good reason to be worried. Merdem spoke up and said “I don’t want any of your profits. If the pirate ship attacks us, I want it as my prize.” The owner laughed. He thought they were all likely to die and the idea of taking the pirate ship seemed unreasonable but he promised Merdem the ship if he stopped the pirates. When the pirates attacked, Merdem, myself and a few of the others counter-attacked. Much like we do now when a pirate ship attacks. Merdem captured the pirate captain and convinced him to have his men surrender. That is how Merdem got his first ship. The merchant ship owner was sad to lose a good chunk of his crew to Merdem, but he was so happy to get his cargo back to Creyta that he honored the deal. Merdem decided that the best way to make money would be travel east. Take the dangerous trips no one else wanted. Koyo was one of the first to join us our crew. I believe that trip to Caruana was his first with us.”
Koyo nodded. “Almost died three times on that trip. Sea monsters, storms like you wouldn’t believe and then we almost starved. We went further south and east than I ever imagined possible.”
“Don’t forget poison,” said Captain Rozad. “Our maps indicated an isle with fresh water and food east of Caruana. We found the water and it was fresh as promised, but every single plant and animal we found was poisonous. We had to turn back to Caruana. It was a disastrous journey, but in Caruana we were able to get enough goods to make the trip worthwhile. Caruana is a wild and dangerous place. The entire isle is jungle, filled with dangerous and magical beasts.”
“Did you meet any mages while you were there?” asked Hanna.
“No,” said Captain Rozad. “But we didn’t stay long. However, there is only one city in Caruana and we didn’t encounter any temples or anything of that sort. Of course, that was a long time ago. Things could’ve changed much since we were there.”
Hanna scratched her head. This mage business was frustrating. A possible link to her father, a very real threat to her, and she had no idea how many more mages were associated with the one she defeated. Caruana was the only clue they had, but it would have to wait. The priority right now was still the Fangris witches. The threat they presented was far greater. “We may have to visit Caruana when I’m done in Mykoznia. Sink the pirate ship and get us moving.”
Azad smiled. “The crew are looting it as we speak.”
15
Demon warrior
It was good to be home, thought Katla.
She and Hester had arrived in Yanga late the previous evening and had stealthily slipped in under the cover of night. And it was fortunate that they were being cautious, as Katla spotted a man watching the entrance to her mother’s house.
“Watch your step,” said Katla as she beckoned Hester to follow her up the alley behind the house. She then slipped her way into the darkness, making her way to the ground below her bedroom. The room was on the second floor and only had a small window, but it was big enough for them to sneak into. Katla silently thanked the gods that Hester wasn’t fat or one of those broad-shouldered barbarians from Northern Solotine.
With practiced ease, Katla jumped into the air, leaping towards the wall and then bouncing across the alley to the opposite wall and back again, each time she climber higher and higher until she grasped the window sill of her room. With a flick of her a dagger Katla slipped the locking mechanism on the window and raised it. She slipped into the room, leaving Hester alone in the alley.
Hester looked around, and waited. After a few moments, a rope dropped down in front of his face. Hester grabbed the rope and gave it a gentle tug. Once he knew it was secure, he leaned back and started walking up the wall using the rope to balance himself and pull up. He smiled to himself as he climbed. His time training with the tower guards was paying off. On more than one occasion he’d practiced pretending to invade the towers. When he reached the window, Hester struggled to squeeze into the small opening. After considerable wiggling and Katla pulling on his arms, he popped into the room.
“Stay here. I’m going to go make sure everyone is safe,” said Katla. The watcher outside worried her. What if her family had been kidnapped? Katla couldn’t even imagine the fury she would rain down on anyone who tried to hurt her family. She crept down the hallway, listening for any sounds out of place. But she could hear nothing, and her instincts told her nothing was amiss. To be sure, she quietly opened the doors of her sister and mother, both were asleep. Satisfied that they were safe, Katla headed back to her room.
The room was still dark, and Hester was sitting against the wall beside the window. Hanna went to her closet and retrieved a couple of blankets. One she put over the window, the other she handed to Hester. “It is safe now. You can give us some light.”
Hester created a small orb of soft glowing light that floated to the ceiling basking the room in a gentle light. He then looked around the room. “So, this is what the room of a fabled King’s Guard turned assassin looks like.”
Katla threw a pillow at him, striking him in the head. “Whatever. I like my room.” The room hadn’t changed much since she was a little girl. The walls were mostly plain except for one large mural of meadow flowers that covered her wall. The mural, like the comforter on her bed was heavy in hues of pink and purple. Looking around Katla had to admit, it was a very girlie room for a famous killer, she turned so Hester couldn’t see her smile to herself. “You should sleep here tonight. We can’t risk you going to an inn and someone recognizing us.”
Hester frowned as he watched Katla check her weapons. “You going somewhere?’
“I’m going to the palace to see Evetal. He needs to know what is happening with the witches and I’m hoping he has information about Lord Blackpool for me.”
“Why go alone? Wouldn’t it be safer to stay together?” asked Hester.
“No. Getting into Yanga is far easier than getting to the palace without being noticed, especially if they are on the lookout for two people. It is better if I go alone. You stay here, get some sleep.”
Hester sighed, he was reluctant to be left behind, yet he needed to trust her. “Be safe.”
“Relax, I’m not going to do anything foolish tonight. I’m just going for information. Now kill the light so I can go.”
Hester waved his hand and the magical orb of lights faded until the room was once again pitch black.
Katla slipped under the blanket covering the window and headed out. She didn’t drop down to the ground, instead jumping up she grabbed the edge of the roof and swung herself up. The moons were both hiding behind clouds, giving the sky a layer of darkness that offered more than enough cover for her to move around, but just enough light to see where she was going. Katla had been over these roofs enough times that she really didn’t need to see where she was going, she could jump from roof to roof relying on her memory to guide her. She used the roofs to avoid the ma
n watching the front door, and anyone watching the main city streets.
…
“It’s not nice to sneak up on a man while he sleeps,” said Evetal.
Katla smiled. She’d snuck across the city and into the palace unnoticed but Evetal had waken despite her not making a sound.
“Really? I haven’t known many men complain when a beautiful woman sneaks into their room.”
“I think they would make an exception for women who come carrying blades,” said Evetal. “Now tell me where you stand with our witch problem.”
Katla couldn’t argue with Evetal’s logic. Most men feared the women of the King’s Guard, and with good reason, they were the finest assassins and warriors in the kingdom. “It isn’t good. I went to the Eastfell swamps with the apprentice mage, Hester, and we found the witches lair. He confirmed that the witches have channeled the spirit of Quivna or some other powerful demon spirit along with several other demons.”
“I figured as much. Since you left for the Towers of Gorro there have been attacks all over Mykoznia. I believe Quivna or whoever has her spirit, has used her magic to influence warriors to her cause. They’re building an army.”
“An army can be defeated, it’s the demon warriors that worry me.” Said Katla.
“It all worries me. There have been troubling things going on around here lately. The city is restless and on edge. Something bad is coming. As for demon warriors, the king’s mages have been keeping an eye towards Solotine. The Lady of the Evening has been spotted, she’ll be here tomorrow or the day depending on the winds.”
The Lady of the Evening, Hanna’s ship. Katla welcomed the news that the northern girl would soon be back in Yanga. “Good. We are going to need her. Now speaking of troubling events, Lord Blackpool has put a price on my head. He had men attack Hester and me. If not for Hester, I’d be dead.”
Evetal raised an eyebrow. “Lord Blackpool? That is interesting. His ranks have swelled as of late. He’s been pushing his weight around in council as well. On the streets, his men have been fighting with other factions. They’ve gained tremendous power of late.”
“Perhaps,” said Katla. “But when I’m done with Lord Blackpool there won’t be much left of him. I don’t take kindly to being attacked.”
“Just don’t make it too public,” said Evetal. “The king doesn’t want a messy fight between factions right now.”
A banging at the door interrupted them.
Katla slipped into the shadows.
“Enter,” said Evetal.
A palace guard entered the room. “Sir, there is an attack. Lord Blackpool and his men are storming the palace. The King’s Guard took out a group of assassins already but now more men are coming. We are going to be overrun.”
“Damn it,” said Evetal. “Thank you. Gather whatever men you can find in the barracks and return.”
The guard gave Evetal a quick salute and took off.
Katla stepped out of the shadows. “So much for not wanting a messy fight.”
Evetal ignored Katla as he quickly dressed in his armor. “I’m going to assess the situation, but I can tell you right now, most of the king’s men are not in Yanga right now. They are spread around the kingdom dealing with witch attacks. Lord Blackpool’s men will likely overrun the palace guards.”
“A perfect time for an attack on the king, with all the army out in the country,” said Katla.
“Yes,” said Evetal dryly. “Of course, Lord Blackpool was among the lords most loudly complaining about witch attacks and the king needing to send more men to the villages.” Evetal headed towards the door. “I’ll be going to the king. For Lord Blackpool’s plan to work he must capture or kill the king.”
Katla, as an ex-King’s Guard knew the routine. Evetal and the King’s Guard would take the king to one of the secure hiding places known only to the King’s Guard. “I’ll see myself out. But I think I’ll go through the palace, and take a look. Perhaps Lord Blackpool will be coming to the Palace. I would like to have a chat with him.”
“As would I,” said Evetal. “I retract my statement about being quiet about your business with Lord Blackpool. Deal with him as you see fit.”
Katla nodded as Evetal left to go to the king’s chambers. Lord Blackpool had committed treason against the king. It wasn’t an unfamiliar occurrence in the history of Mykoznia. The difference between hanging and becoming king was simple. If the king was alive; Lord Blackpool was a traitor. If the king died or Lord Blackpool captured him, all bets were off. The lords and royalty of Mykoznia would bitch and moan and then fall in line if Lord Blackpool held the capital.
Katla headed towards the sounds of fighting. The palace’s main entrance was ahead. When Katla came around the corner she could watch the palace guards fighting with the attackers. So far, the palace guards were defending the entrance, the attackers had the numbers but the palace guards were fighting as a unit and had the corridor blocked. It looked like they were going to hold them off.
But then a warrior approached, and Katla knew the guards were doomed. The warrior, like those she’d seen in the Fangris cave had black eyes and wore a gemstone amulet. A demon warrior. Lord Blackpool was in cahoots with the witches. Katla swore as the demon warrior slipped between two palace guards and slayed them. Lord Blackpools men followed the demon warrior and the defensive wall of palace guards broke.
Katla slipped into the shadows. To fight now was to die. Evetal was looking to the king, she needed to get out of the palace and make her way back to her mother’s house. As much as she would like to find Lord Blackpool and run him through, the presence of a demon warrior changed everything. Katla entered a small room and headed for the window. She grabbed a nearby chair and threw it through the window. The king had bigger issues than a broken window.
Outside was chaos. Random fights between supporters of the king and Lord Blackpool’s men, some of which looked foreign. Had Lord Blackpool’s forces been increase by using Quivna’s magic. It was logical to assume that if they were working together that would be the case.
When Katla was almost home she took a quick detour. She snuck up behind the man who was watching her mother’s house and put her dagger to the man’s neck. “What are your orders. Tell me a lie and your life is forfeit.”
The man gulped loudly. “I’m just to watch the house. If the daughter returns I am to report it.”
“Who are you to report to?” asked Katla.
“The bartender at the Stinking Mule,” said the nervous spy.
The Stinking Mule. It was one of Lord Blackpool’s establishments. Katla removed her blade from the man’s neck. She then hammered the pommel of her dagger into the back of his head, knocking him out. Katla then swiftly moved towards the house, using the front entrance she went to her mother’s room and woke her.
“Katla?” said her mother sleepily.
“Get dressed, we have to leave now,” said Katla before turning and going into her little sister’s room and waking her. She then went to her room, where Hester was waiting.
Hester was awake. “I heard you come through the front door. What’s going on?”
“Lord Blackpool and his men are attacking the palace.”
Hester frowned. “That is not good.”
“It gets worse. Lord Blackpool is working with the witches. There was a demon warrior in the attack.”
“How are the king’s defenses?” asked Hester.
“The king will be safe, Evetal and the King’s Guard will get him out of there, but most the army is spread around the kingdom because of the witch attacks. Lord Blackpool’s men will likely secure the palace tonight. It will take longer to secure the city but it can be done, especially with a demon warrior and witches to help them.”
“Damn it,” said Hester, slapping his hand against his thigh in frustration. “This is terrible news. If Yanga falls, the entire kingdom will be in chaos.”
“It isn’t all bad news. When I spoke with Evetal he said the king’s mages have b
een watching for the Lady of the Evening. She is due in port tomorrow or the next day. That is Hanna’s ship.”
Hester bobbed his head in agreement. “That is good news. Once she arrives we can start fighting back. What are we doing in the mean time?”
“Hiding,” said Katla. “My mother’s cousin, Sharla, will hide us and bring Hanna to us.”
16
Hanna arrives in Yanga
Small but thick clouds of black smoke rising from the city greeted the Lady of the Evening as it sailed into the port of Yanga. All over the city little fires were burning. The docks appeared untouched but Captain Rozad took no chances. All hands were on deck and armed when the Lady made its way towards the dock.
A dock worker greeted them.
“What is going on?” asked Hanna as she threw the worker a rope.
“Well,” drawled the dock worker. “If you are loyal to the king, it is treason. If you support Lord Blackpool it is a revolt. Most people in the city are in hiding. They aren’t taking sides.”
“The docks are safe?” asked Hanna.
The dock worker nodded. “Safest place in Yanga. Both the King and Lord Blackpool have money invested in the docks. That and no one is foolish enough to mess with the dockworkers. Between us and the crews of the ships in port, there are enough ruffians to protect the docks.
Hanna thanked the dock worker and returned to Captain Rozad.
“What do you want to do Hanna?” asked Captain Rozad. “He might be right about the docks being safe now. But if Lord Blackpools men win I doubt we would be safe. Not after the last time we were here.”
“I will go into the city with Tayo and Koyo. Once we are off the ship pull back into the harbor. If Lord Blackpool wants to fight with the Lady, he’ll do it on our terms.”
Captain Rozad glanced out at the black clouds of smoke. “Be safe.”
Hanna found Tayo and Koyo. They looked eager to head into the city.
Hanna Halfblood: Spirit Warrior Page 13