Rise of The Mortokai

by D G Palmer

  ‘I knew you wouldn’t let me down,’ Finn gave Daniel a big hug. ‘You don’t know how much this means to me.’

  ‘But,’ repeated Daniel, ‘Fungal said we should go back when we have time, I don’t know how this Mage Academy works, when do semesters start and end for instance, so I don’t know when I’ll be able to make it.’

  ‘I’m sure Princess Trinity knows,’ replied Finn.

  They entered the vibrant and bustling city of Almedia through its eastern gate, Daniel was still impressed with the size of them and the city wall itself. They passed the guards on duty and were saluted. It reminded Daniel just how much of a celebrity he and Finn were at the moment.

  The guards may have been the first to greet the returning duo, but the pair had already been spotted by Jimbo and a couple other kids that weren’t at school. By the time Daniel and Finn had passed through both gates and entered the city they had formed an impromptu welcome committee.

  ‘Well, boys, if it isn’t our wandering leader and the scum that stole my consort position.’

  ‘Don’t you mean the guy that saved your life?’ Daniel retorted.

  Jimbo scoffed at the very idea.

  ‘The gang’s all yours now, Jimbo,’ said Finn matter-of-factly as she dumped her bags and hugged her old friend.

  ‘What do you mean? You too big to hang with us now that you’re the goddess? Don’t forget, love, that title only lasts twelve months. Once that times up, you’ll be back to being the same old Finn: gambling, drinking, running scams and shooting off your mouth, as well as your guns.’

  ‘And what makes you think I’ve stopped doing any of that as the goddess?’ She grinned. Finn had always prided herself on not veering away from her standard, even being in a public position where most of Southwestern Ariest knew who she was couldn’t sway her. ‘What I mean is that I’m finally getting out of Almedia...well kind of. I’ll be coming and going, but mostly going.’

  Jimbo glared at Daniel. ‘What’s he done?’

  ‘It’s nothing to do with Daniel. I’ve been offered a job and I’m taking it.’

  ‘I’m not sure Quinn will allow that.’

  ‘I have a feeling my uncle won’t have anything to say about it.’

  Whilst Finn and Jimbo talked, Daniel watched the other kids go through Finn’s bags. It was as if they could smell the chocolate coated hazelnuts and the other bags of sweets his mum had given her. As they rummaged through the goodies, Daniel caught a glimpse of the book by NJ Cavanagh and grabbed it out of the bag. He wondered what his friend had planned as he read the back matter.

  ‘And what about Mr Wolff?’ Jimbo asked. ‘He sure as vekt won’t be happy.’

  ‘I don’t owe him anything.’

  ‘Maybe not, but he won’t like seeing one of his best cash cows go.’

  ‘He’ll Just have to find himself a new one then.’

  ‘I’d like to be a fly on the wall when you tell him you’re quitting.’

  ‘I bet you would. Anyway, I need to go see uncle Quinn, so I’ll see you ‘round, Jimbo. And make sure they share those Earth sweets around the gang.’

  Jimbo took all the sweets off of the youngsters and gave his childhood friend a thumbs up and a wink. ‘Oi!’ He called to Daniel. ‘Thanks.’ He said reluctantly before rushing off with his juvenile entourage.

  Daniel furrowed his brow as he looked down the street at the quickly disappearing boys. ‘What was that?’

  ‘From Jimbo? As good as it gets gratitude-wise,’ chuckled Finn.

  ‘And what about this?’ He tossed the book towards her.

  She caught it and looked at the author photo, just as she had numerous times since getting the book. Each time she did she became more and more convince that she was looking into the eyes of her supposedly dead mother. ‘I need to know,’ she sighed. ‘I need to ask Quinn.’

  ‘And what if the answer isn’t what you want to hear?’

  ‘To be honest, I don’t know what answer I want to hear.’

  ‘Do you want me to go with you?’

  ‘No, it’s ok. You go on ahead to the Dirty Dog, give these to Eveline and I’ll catch up with you there.’

  Daniel took the bag of chocolate hazelnuts she wanted the exceptional tavern cook to replicate, then gave Finn a big hug and kissed her on the forehead. ‘Stay calm,’ he told her.

  In reply, she gave a sarcastic smile, before she took a deep breath and headed home, trying to decide on a way to bring up the subject.

  He watched his friend depart. Daniel couldn’t imagine what turmoil was going through her mind but he hoped that what she discovered wouldn’t affect her too much. Either way, he knew, whatever the news, he would be there for her. As tough and strong as Finn liked to think she was, this could leave her in a fragile state, he thought, perhaps flaunting his relationship with Trinity in front of Finn might not be such compassionate thing to do right now.

  Daniel headed off down the road, his mind deep in thought.

  MAVIS WASN’T ONE TO miss out on a good marketing opportunity and Daniel saw evidence of that fact when he arrived at The Dirty Dog Tavern. By the entrance was a golden sign which read “Daniel Welsh, Shade slayer, stayed here.”

  He didn’t know what to think of it. Sure, he wanted to make his own name away from the legacy of his dad, but he wasn’t sure if having his name by the entrance of the dodgiest dive in town was a good thing or not.

  Even if The Dog wasn’t a five-star establishment the atmosphere that it had was very distinct; an old friend buying you a drink was just as likely to happen as someone punching you in the face. It had its own special charm. Daniel had to admit, he did like the place.

  As he entered, there were a few hushed whispers, people recognising who he was, some were even in awe. Mavis’ marketing drive must really be working.

  ‘Daniel! It’s good to see you again,’ called Eveline. ‘How do you like our new plaque? It came straight from the business mind of Mavis. She thought that she could cash in on you having stayed here and all. I thought it was a bit of a bonkers idea at first, but by the goddess it’s only gone and bloody worked.’

  Daniel smiled thinly as he looked around and saw so many people gazing at him and whispering amongst themselves. It was something that he had experienced his entire life, but whereas those hushed discussions had been derogatory and spiteful, these had been anything but. Someone actually came up and shook Daniels hand before filling it with a pint of mead, much to Daniels surprise.

  ‘Come on,’ Eveline whispered to Daniel, ‘salute your fans.’

  Daniel raised his pint in the air after Eveline’s guidance, and the tavern patrons cheered and raised their own before downing the golden drink and the sound of glass mugs being slammed down rang out.

  Mavis came out of her office to see what all the commotion was about and her eyes turned into Daniel shaped piles of gold when she saw him. ‘If it isn’t my good friend, Daniel “The Shade Slayer” Mondragon!’ She him a big hug almost suffocating him in her ample body. ‘It’s so good of you to drop by to say hello.’

  ‘Well, actually, I’m here to see if my room was still available.’

  ‘Of course, it is,’ Mavis replied so everyone could hear before continuing conspiratorially to Daniel, ‘to be honest I’ve had to clear out the room because your friend hasn’t been here for a few days and there’s the small matter of an outstanding fee.’

  ‘What do you mean? Trinity’s not here?’

  ‘She was missing you,’ Eveline began, ‘so we suggested that she should go with Tristan on one of his little quests, to take her mind off of things. That was a few days ago now though.’

  ‘Do you know where they went?’

  ‘No. They went to Hyasda, the alchemist. They must have left direct from there because they didn’t return.’

  ‘I’ll just have to ask her where she sent them. Let me change then you can give me directions to the shop.’

  Mavis cleared her throat. ‘And the outstanding money?’


  ‘I have money,’ Daniel revealed, ‘in a vault, but it’s in imperial city.

  ‘Excellent!’ Mavis rubbed her hands together. Nothing excited her more than getting overdue money.

  Daniel was a bit confused by the landlady’s enthusiasm. As he understood it, Imperial City was a few days ride from Almedia, so it wasn’t as if she’d be getting the money straight away

  ‘All banks in Ariest are linked to the central bank in Imperial City,’ Eveline explained to Daniel. ‘You have the combination, right?’ He nodded, ‘The bank isn’t far from Hyasda’s shop so you could pop in there first. Just come see me when you’re ready and I’ll give you the directions.’

  NOW THAT SHE HAD BEEN to Earth and seen the homes there, Finn had more appreciation for what her grandfather had replicated on Ariest. Sitting in the lounge of the Jesson family home in Buxton Mews, she had placed her chair, in the corner, behind the double doors, where she contemplated things and tried to get her mind in order.

  In her hands, Finn held the framed photo she had mentioned to Daniel, the one of her parents and her uncle. It had always been one of her favourites; the way they were laughing, it seemed so natural, a frozen moment of a beautiful day, trying out her granddad’s new invention. She was convinced that the woman on the back of the novel and the one in the photo were one and the same. The hairstyle and colour may have been different and although the author was wearing glasses Finn was still certain that NJ Cavanagh was her supposedly dead mother, Niamh Jesson.

  She was so anxious for answers that, upon returning home, Finn hadn’t even taken the time to unpack her things, except for the book.

  She had placed that on the table.

  It wasn’t long before Quinn returned, no doubt from working on Vincent, Finn thought. She watched him smile when he saw her bags, his niece was back. She watched that smile turn to curiosity as he noticed the book for the first time and continued to watch as his expression went through a gamut of emotions when he picked it up and examined it closer.

  ‘I wondered how I would bring this up in a conversation,’ Finn said from her hidden position. ‘I mean, how would you begin it? When would be an appropriate time to say “I saw a picture of my dead mum and she’s just released a book.” And when would be a good time, in a discussion to, tell your uncle that you know he’s been lying to you all your life!’

  She didn’t want to be hysterical and emotional; she wasn’t one of those girls, but it was beyond her control. It was too much for her to cope with. Finn loved her uncle, he was more like a father to her, but now she felt betrayed by him.

  ‘I hoped you would never find out,’ said Quinn, resigned to having to finally share the secret he had kept for so long.

  ‘Were you protecting me? Is that your excuse? Did you think you were keeping me safe? You told me she was dead! And what about my dad? Is he alive somewhere too?’

  ‘I honestly don’t know.’

  ‘Do you know how it feels? To believe that you’re an orphan, and then discover, after all these years, that your mum is alive and well?’

  Quinn said nothing.

  ‘Come on, uncle, tell me why you lied to me.’

  Still Quinn didn’t reply.

  ‘Are you just going to stand there like your tongue’s fallen out of your head or are you going to explain yourself?’ His silence both frustrated and angered her, two emotions that often push people to hurtful lengths in an effort to get a reaction. ‘Who knows what my life could have been like if I’d been living with my parents. I could have been Finnuala and not just Finn, I could have been a prissy princess like Trinity. But I never got the chance, because my uncle lied to me and told me my parents were dead. You took my future.’

  ‘Your future?’ Quinn had reached his limit. As calm and reserved as he was, even the mild-mannered tinkerer could only take so much. ‘I took your future? I gave you a future! You really want to know why I told you she was dead? It’s because I wished she was. And you should too... she didn’t even want you!’

  Finn felt a stabbing pain in her heart. ‘You’re lying... again! Why would you say that?’

  ‘Because it’s true.’ Quinn leant on the table; his head bowed. It had been a heavy burden he had carried now he had some sense of relief at being able to share it. ‘No more lies, Finn. You want to know the truth, then I’ll tell you everything.’

  Quinn went to a cupboard and brought out a bottle of sweet wine along with two glasses. This was going to be the first time that they had ever sat down to have a drink together, although he knew the kind of things that Finn got up in the city, the kind of reputation she had as a drinker and gambler. In bringing her up he had almost given her a free reign to do as she pleased, as long as she did them away from The Mews.

  He filled a glass and finished it in one go, looking for the strength in fortitude that so many seek from alcohol. This time he filled both glasses and placed one in front of Finn. It wasn’t her usual drink but she welcomed the opportunity to keep her Idle hands busy.

  Quinn took a seat. ‘The first thing you should know is that Niamh was my wife.’

  Finn downed her drink and poured another. ‘So, you’re saying that you’re my dad?’

  ‘No, Martin’s your dad. What I’m saying is that they had an affair.’ Quinn watched his niece go through the cycle of finishing her drink and refilling it again. ‘I don’t know how long it went on for. He was always coming and going, doing jobs for that Eamon Wolff.’

  ‘My dad was in the Thief’s Guild?’ Finn asked surprised that she had inadvertently followed her father down the same path.

  ‘Yeah, he was supposedly good at it too. He loved the danger and adventure.’ Quinn could see on Finn’s face that she too could appreciated that the similarities between father and daughter were uncanny. ‘Niamh was the daughter of my father’s good friend, Andrew Fitzgerald. She was his only child. They had made an agreement that if anything should happen to either of them, the other would safeguard their family. To further cement the agreement, Martin and Niamh were betrothed.’

  Finn listened intently as she heard her family history for the first time. ‘But I thought you said she married you? What happened?’

  ‘Your father happened. Martin being Martin. Shirking responsibilities and galivanting around the world doing goddess knows what. Understand that we didn’t know anything about the pact our fathers had made, we just all grew up together as friends do, from kids up to teens. Then he started getting in with the guild. We saw less and less of Martin. As we got older affections grew between Niamh and myself. Then her father passed away and the agreement came into effect. We had no way of knowing where Martin was or if Martin was even alive or not, so the honour of marriage fell to me. I loved Niamh, more so than she loved me it would turn out, but we were happy for a time.’ Quinn pour then last of the wine before opening another bottle. ‘Martin wasn’t at the wedding, in fact, we never saw him again until your grandfather’s funeral.’

  ‘Did he come back to help with things?’

  ‘You’re joking, right? He left everything to good old dependable Quinn. In his time away he had become worse; everything he had been when he was younger was magnified tenfold, especially his arrogance and womanising. Yet, Niamh seemed to like it,’ Quinn reflected. ‘I didn’t see it at first...’

  The anger that Finn felt had started to dissipate as she began to see that things weren’t as black and white as she had originally believed them to be. ‘Didn’t see or didn’t want to see it?’

  The words resonated deeply in Quinn. He had suspected things but never believed it; they were his wife, his brother. ‘I caught them... together,’ he finally revealed. ‘And embarrassingly I... I still took her back.’

  ‘You mean they ran away?’

  He nodded. ‘For a few months. Then she came back. Apologised. Said she’d made a big mistake. Said he was irresponsible, that his lifestyle as a thief and adventurer weren’t for her or his baby she was carrying. But that wasn’t
entirely true. As soon as she had you, she left... to be with him.’ Quinn could see the scepticism on his niece’s face. ‘Take off the back of the picture. All the proof you need is there, written in her own hand.’

  Finn did as she was told and found a folded piece of discoloured paper. She wanted to open the page, to see her mother’s handwriting, but she hesitant. In her hand was the answer, the reason why her mother had abandoned her. And yet that reason had become moot. She was about to leave her uncle, after he had done so much for her, much like her parents had. It seemed like she was more like them than she cared to admit. But not quite. Unlike her parents she still valued Quinn. She may have been the daughter of Martin and Niamh but in her heart, Quinn was the only parent she had ever known or would ever need.

  The unread paper was returned behind the picture and the backing replaced, then, as tears welled in her eyes, Finn stood up, wrapped her arms around Quinn and hugged him tightly. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said as he returned her affectionate gesture. ‘I’m so sorry, for everything. For what I said... and for what they did to you.’

  ‘Don’t be silly. It’s not down to the child to apologise for the sins of the parents.’

  ‘It shouldn’t be, but I still feel like I should. And there’s something else. Now is as good a time as any to tell you... I got offered a job...’

  ‘That’s great!’

  ‘From Fungal.’

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘Come on, you worked for Fungal.’

  ‘Exactly! So, I know what he’s like. But you’re a grown woman so I won’t stand in your way as long as it’s not too dangerous.’

  ‘Well, actually...’

  ‘On second thought, don’t tell me!’

  ‘Thanks, dad!’

  ‘What did you say?’

  ‘Well, you and Niamh never actually got divorced, right? So that kind of makes you my step-dad.’

  ‘I had all but forgotten that,’ Quinn beamed. ‘Because of the secret I thought that I would never get the chance to call you my daughter.’

  ‘It’s better late than never, dad,’ laughed Finn. ‘Although it wasn’t said, I never felt less than a daughter to you.’ She explained to Quinn that she had to go, having made an arrangement to meet up with Daniel. But first, Finn made a show of putting the picture of her parents back. Unbeknownst to Quinn, however, during the quick action, she had deftly retrieved the letter written by her mother and hidden it away in her coveralls. Then she bid her step father farewell.