A New Hero

by Curtis Jobling

  ‘Toki, Mungo and Kazumi,’ said Trick, pulling his boots on. ‘Zuma and Kuro … I must say, you seem very well informed, considering we left you back in your cave at Tangle Falls, old man. How do you know so much?’

  The crow ruffled his feathers. ‘Kaw acts as my eyes and ears over great distances. And I’ve been in Sea Forge for a number of days, courtesy of my familiar. From the rooftops, we even found time to play the part of a crazy old prophet in Speaker’s Square, providing a voice of opposition to Boneshaker.’

  ‘That was you? The mad old bloke shouting about the Black Moon Warrior?’

  The crow chuckled. ‘I was here three days before you. Then it was simply a case of starting the rumour of your impending arrival. Kaw has been a busy bird. He’s been hopping over rooftops, shouting into streets and calling through open windows. A disembodied voice can travel great distances – you’d be amazed how many people have now heard of the Black Moon Warrior. Sometimes fate needs a helping hand, and hearsay is a powerful weapon. We sow these tiny seeds, and over time oaks shall grow.’

  Trick admired the old man’s cunning. Still, he felt sick that he’d made such a mess of things. ‘I lost everything, you know? My staff, my bag – it had the map in it, and other stuff, besides.’

  Kaw squawked and hopped to one side of the bed end, revealing a chair in the corner of the room. There was the schoolbag and Trick’s quarterstaff. ‘You’re very absent-minded, Trick Hope. If you’re not losing warriors you’re losing your belongings. Just as well Kazumi can think on her feet, eh? Oh, and I noticed you have a passenger in there too. Don’t worry, Kaw found a couple of juicy bluebottles to feed him. Provided quite a meal, apparently.’

  Trick grinned. ‘You found Sparky?’

  ‘That’s what you’ve called him?’ chuckled the bird.

  ‘Seemed an appropriate name. Thanks, Kalaban. Will you remain with us, then?’

  ‘Sadly, no,’ said the bird, straightening his back stiffly. ‘As I said, I cannot stay in this feathered vessel for long. Kaw will be wanting his body back. And I must remain at Tangle Falls, out of sight. Were I to reveal myself entirely to any of Boneshaker’s minions, it would bring the Dark Lord’s fury down upon us. He would focus all his efforts on crushing you before your quest has truly begun. I must remain invisible for as long as possible – stick to the shadows. Let Boneshaker think me dead. That would be best for everyone. You may then cross the Wildlands without additional complications from the Skull Army. Well, no more than any gang of heroes would encounter, anyway. If the time is right for me to reveal myself I shall, but only when it will best serve your cause.’

  ‘My cause?’

  ‘You still want to go home, don’t you?’

  Trick nodded.

  ‘And one last matter,’ said the disembodied hermit. ‘You said you’d investigated the Broken Shield Inn. I find that hard to believe – you were only there long enough to start a bar brawl.’

  Trick opened his mouth to object, but the wise man continued.

  ‘I recommend that you return there.’

  ‘But the warriors have all been seized by Boarhammer’s men. What’s the point?’

  ‘Have you retrieved Ravenblade?’ Trick shook his head as the bird continued. ‘Leave no stone unturned, even if it’s burnt rubble. Understand? I said you’d find answers there, and I never lie.’

  ‘But I looked, Kalaban …’

  ‘Then look again. Don’t give up so easily. Remember, when your chin hits your chest, lift it – look up. Seek and you shall find.’

  The boy nodded, irked by the riddling talk.

  ‘Good,’ said the crow, suddenly looking a little uneasy on his perch. ‘Well, until next time, Trick Hope.’

  Then the bird keeled over, landing on his back at the end of the bed, feet in the air like a comedic dead parrot. Kaw blinked, the white mist fading from his eyes as the familiar beady black returned. The crow trembled, rolling on to his belly, wings akimbo, and he snapped his beak wearily as he spoke.

  ‘I hate it when he does that.’

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  ‘You’re sure it’s wise to include him?’ asked Erika, the Shield Maiden.

  ‘Kuro’s got an axe to grind, or a katana, I should say,’ replied Trick, watching his pet lightning grub crawl across his hand. The insect’s abdomen was toughening up on its diet of flies, its bioluminescence invisible in the sunlight. It really was a whopper compared to the glow-worms he’d found back home. A short distance away, Kuro put Kazumi through her paces. ‘And, besides, he’s letting us use his home. I’d say that’s pretty cool of him.’

  Trick and the Viking sat on the steps of the ninja’s ruined tower, the tall walls of the courtyard protecting them from prying eyes. Kuro had cut his ties with the Thieves’ Guild after the incident at Blood Beach and his switch to Trick’s side. His tumbledown tower and its grounds were the perfect base for the group as they prepared for the coming battle. A single ivy-choked gate provided an entrance to the ruins, though this was invisible to an untrained eye. Kuro was a very clever fellow, it transpired, having picked a home that was unwelcoming and forbidding. Its grim appearance and the rumoured resident ghosts kept the locals away.

  ‘Why trust him?’ asked the Shield Maiden.

  ‘He saved me on Blood Beach when they were feeding me to the carrion crabs. That makes him an OK guy in my eyes.’

  ‘But what’s his angle?’

  ‘His beef is with Boarhammer, apparently. He wants the warlord dead in revenge for all the crimes he’s committed in Sea Forge, some against Kuro’s best mates. Revenge is as good a reason as any, I guess.’

  ‘We all want revenge against Boarhammer,’ replied Erika. ‘Some more than others.’

  ‘Kuro says the warlord is unreachable. The only time you can get near him is at the arena, and even then it’s almost impossible. Says he has a balcony on top of a giant wooden viewing tower from which he watches the contests.’

  ‘Nobody is unreachable, boy,’ said the Viking, grimly. ‘I would question the loyalty of one who used to belong to the Thieves’ Guild, though.’

  Trick turned to Erika. ‘You said it yourself: “used to be”. You fought for Boarhammer in the arena too, didn’t you? Guess you all have your shady pasts.’

  ‘I was a captive gladiator. I had to win Boarhammer’s trust before seizing my moment to break out of there. Many people died at my hand in the dust of the arena. When I escaped, I was the champion, beloved by all those infantile idiots who pander to the warlord’s whims. That’s why he has a bounty on my head. Kuro worked for Gorgo by choice. Big difference, child.’

  ‘If you don’t quit calling me “boy” and “child”, you and I are gonna have a falling out,’ said Trick, clearly annoyed by Erika’s patronizing manner. She was taken aback. ‘And, besides, you’ve joined us and I know very little about you, Erika. Do we reconsider your allegiance?’

  She laughed. ‘Allegiance? You arrived in Sea Forge with one of my brethren in tow. It’s fair to say you caused one hell of a ruckus in the Broken Shield Inn. That’s when you came to my attention. A boy, a Viking and a gaggle of sell-swords? I needed to know what my kinsman was doing taking orders from a lad who can’t even grow whiskers on his chin. I want to speak with Toki, discover what he knows from the homeland, and whether he has encountered other Norsemen in the Wildlands.

  ‘I hear that my people have been banding together in this world, seeking one another out, just as you see Kuro and Kazumi forming bonds before us now. There is something to be said for being with one’s own kind. I seek my kin, Trick Hope, not friendship with you and your motley gang of fools.’

  Trick nodded as the lightning bug crept across his knuckles. ‘So you’re with us until we get Toki back. Fine, but I warn you – he’s with me.’

  ‘With you? You’re some mongrel from the land of Angles. Why in Valhalla would Toki choose you over me?’

  ‘You wouldn’t understand,’ said Trick, opening his schoolbag to pop the in
sect back into its makeshift nest. ‘It’s a brother thing.’

  That left Erika bemused and speechless, which suited Trick fine as he hid his grin. Toki had been a good friend, and the vow they’d made to each other had only grown stronger with time. He wanted the young Viking back by his side, sooner rather than later, and this crazy Shield Maiden would help him achieve that.

  They had spent the last two days preparing for the arena’s grand event tomorrow. This involved Kazumi, Kuro and Erika learning one another’s moves and fighting styles, and working out how they complemented each other. Erika passed on all she knew about the arena, in particular where Boarhammer would sit once the ‘games’ commenced.

  The grand viewing platform was the Lord of Sea Forge’s chosen spot, overlooking the entire arena and granting him and his cronies the best view of the mayhem below. Throughout this hectic period, Kazumi also trained Trick in fighting with his quarterstaff, passing on her knowledge. Indeed, each of the warriors took the time to help him to build his confidence. The road to becoming a warrior was clearly long, arduous and full of bruised knuckles and kneecaps.

  ‘Ladies and gentlemen, the wanderer has returned!’

  The warriors ceased sparring and Trick and Erika turned towards the gate. Zuma had materialized through the vine-strangled gate, strolling along without a care in the world. Of the strongbox he’d last been seen with there was no sign. Kazumi sprang towards the gatehouse, naginata raised and ready to strike. The Jaguar Warrior leapt clear of where she landed and prepared himself for a fight, his macuahuitl raised, studded shards of black glass ready to puncture flesh.

  ‘Pack it in, Kazumi,’ shouted Trick as everyone rushed towards them.

  ‘Hack him in, more like!’ she replied, twirling her naginata as she and Zuma circled one another. ‘You dare return to us – so late in the day – with our companions gone and our money vanished?’

  ‘In my defence,’ said Zuma, ‘that strongbox was never yours.’

  ‘And I see you no longer have it with you.’

  ‘Indeed. I gorged myself on the handful of coppers and silvers that were left within.’

  ‘There was gold in that box, Aztec!’

  ‘It was loose change, samurai. The gold was spent on the ferry, or have you conveniently forgotten that?’

  ‘So you come crawling back to us, seeking to rejoin us and get your grubby hands on more gold?’

  ‘Forget your coins,’ said Kuro, slowly raising his katana. ‘How did you find your way into my tower? How did you know your friends were here as my guests?’

  Zuma took one look at the tumbledown tower and weed-covered courtyard. ‘Guests? Your idea of hospitality is not the same as mine, ninja. Lady Kazumi snores like a pregnant hog. I would’ve heard her from Mudfla–’

  The samurai’s naginata slashed at the Jaguar Warrior’s throat, but he leaned back and it clattered aside. He lunged and Kazumi brought the stave of her weapon up to deflect the blow. Erika and Kuro watched, ready to jump in.

  ‘Stop it!’ roared Trick, making them cease instantly. They looked at him, panting like rabid dogs. ‘Can we stop the accusations? And the attempts at killing each other? Let’s hear what Zuma has to say!’

  ‘And if we don’t like what he says?’ asked Kazumi.

  ‘He’s walked in here alone, facing possible death. His reason must be pretty good.’ Trick turned to Zuma. ‘Go ahead, mate. Say your piece. And you’d better make it good.’

  The scolded samurai stepped away, glowering, her simmering glare fixed upon the Jaguar Warrior as he thanked Trick for his kind words.

  ‘Contrary to what our hot-headed friend is saying, I haven’t been frittering away our funds,’ said Zuma, turning his back on Kazumi. ‘After the brawl at the Broken Shield Inn, I made for the gatehouse on the cliffs. With the money we had left, I paid for passage to the Upper City.’

  ‘You didn’t think it’d be best to consult us first?’ asked Trick.

  ‘There was hardly an “us” to consult,’ replied the Aztec. ‘We were separated like chaff on the wind. Believe me, it would’ve been easy to forge on and seek further fortune alone, but I gave my word to you, Trick Hope. I’ll fight by your side, but I’ll take the lion’s share of any gold we find.’

  ‘You mean the jaguar’s share?’ said Erika. He continued, ignoring the Shield Maiden.

  ‘I’ve been in the Upper City since then. Merchants, bankers, slavers and spice merchants – they run Sea Forge from on high, all with Boarhammer’s say-so. It’s a world away from this dungheap.’ He looked around at the ruins that the group had made their base.

  ‘Remember, this is my home,’ grunted Kuro. ‘Mind what you say, stranger.’

  ‘Or what?’ asked Zuma. ‘You want to dance, wait your turn. I think the samurai is next.’

  Trick clapped his hands. ‘Good God, can you all quit for a moment! You’re like kids at times! If you can save the posturing and duels until after we’ve freed the city, that would be tickety-boo. Now, Zuma, you were saying …?’

  The Aztec’s smile was cocky and confident. He clearly enjoyed taking centre stage.

  ‘There’s a big event on its way – the whole of the Upper City is talking about it. The warriors who were captured during the raid on the Broken Shield – I count Mungo and Toki in that luckless band – await their moment of glory in two days’ time.’

  ‘Two days?’

  ‘Boarhammer’s putting on a grand show, a spectacle to honour Boneshaker. That’s why he’s enslaved so many opponents and scooped up any warriors he can find. Those poor souls you mentioned from Warriors Landing will all be put to sword in the arena, in one way or another. A bloody day approaches …’

  ‘All those warriors, in one place,’ muttered Trick, ideas taking shape in his mind.

  ‘Also, Boarhammer recently had a special guest staying at his palace. An envoy from Boneshaker.’

  ‘Envoy?’ asked Trick.

  ‘He arrived a week ago accompanied by an elite group of the Skull Army called the Blackguard. They were delivering your friends from Warriors Landing. This envoy, you couldn’t miss him. Big guy with a full helm.’

  ‘They like their full helms, don’t they?’ said Erika, managing a chuckle.

  ‘They do indeed,’ smiled Zuma. ‘Only this one’s is adorned with antlers. Looks like a devil, and they call him –’

  ‘Tombstone.’ Trick finished Zuma’s news for him.

  ‘You know of him?’ asked Zuma.

  Trick nodded, recalling his encounter with the giant warlord in Warriors Landing. ‘He’s a monster.’

  ‘What kind of name’s that?’ added Kuro. ‘Tombstone?’

  ‘Probably earned by the number of bodies he’s put in the ground,’ replied the Aztec.

  ‘Boneshaker’s lieutenants visited Boarhammer when I used to fight in the arena,’ said Erika. ‘Don’t ever remember meeting a Tombstone.’

  ‘You were too busy lying face down in the sand,’ said Zuma.

  ‘So, what?’ said Trick. ‘Tombstone was just here to drop off prisoners for the arena? He didn’t strike me as a gopher.’

  ‘Gopher?’ they all said in unison.

  ‘A lackey, a fetcher, a runner. Tombstone is Boneshaker’s right hand, so Kalaban said.’

  ‘The boy’s correct,’ said Zuma. ‘He was the toast of the Upper City. I’ve heard plenty about him from those fools and fops who lick Boarhammer’s behind. Tombstone’s also known as the Lord of Chaos, just as likely to kill his own men in battle when the madness seizes him. He’ll stoop to any dirty trick in order to win the fight.’

  ‘Sounds like you two would get along,’ said Kazumi. Zuma simply grinned at her.

  ‘So it was a big deal then?’ said Erika. ‘But now he’s gone?’

  ‘He was delivering instructions to the Lord of Sea Forge,’ said the Jaguar Warrior, everyone now hanging on his words. ‘There’s something in this city that Boneshaker wants badly – a weapon of some sort. Boarhammer’s job is to find it, and
quickly. He’ll turn the city upside down in the process, from the docks upward. That’s why the Broken Shield Inn was turned over and burned – our fracas was just an excuse. Those soldiers were already there, in the docks. Rumour has it that the Broken Shield was top of the list for them to hit. Who knows why …’

  Trick didn’t react, but his mind was whirring. Seeking a weapon? In Sea Forge? He had to mean Ravenblade, the elusive sword that Trick had failed to find. Kalaban had said already that Trick would have to return to the torched inn and dig for answers; he’d been putting it off, worried about leaving the relative safety of Kuro’s tower, but he could hide no longer.

  Trick felt the spark of an idea form in his head. It was time for him to get back there, but there was another pressing port of call, far more dangerous than rummaging around in a pile of charcoal and cinders. He turned and looked back at his companions sizing one another up, their alliance still uneasy, especially since the unexpected return of the Jaguar Warrior. They’d continued their conversation while Trick had been lost in thought.

  ‘But we’re only a handful,’ said Kazumi. ‘How can we get close to Boarhammer when we’re stuck down here in the poor quarter?’

  ‘And that gate only works one way,’ added Erika. ‘It was easy enough for Zuma to come through it, but he can’t return to the Upper City now. No, the cliff road is closed to us. There is no other way to reach the arena.’

  ‘Kuro,’ said Trick quietly, drawing the ninja away from the others.

  ‘What is it, Master Hope?’

  ‘You think you can get me back into the Broken Shield without being seen?’

  ‘Not a problem, but I warn you now: it’s a smouldering ruin.’

  ‘I get that,’ said Trick. ‘And another thing. I need to go back to the Thieves’ Guild.’

  ‘Are you insane? Why would you wish to return there?’

  Trick’s smile was cocksure, but it hid the rising tide of nerves. ‘I seek an audience with Gorgo.’

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  ‘Tell me again why we’re here,’ said Kuro, staring up at the burnt, blackened rafters of the Broken Shield Inn. The stars sparkled beyond the exposed roof, a blanket of blinking diamonds.