Fire and Steel

by Gavin Magson

  “Mr Kefo, the king might be awhile with his current audience; feel free to find a seat whilst you wait.” spoke Lorna, her voice even and official, no emotions behind it.

  Duke thanked Lorna and turned to walk over to a bench set between two trees planted in the floor. He only made it a handful of steps before he stopped. Lorna looked up as he walked back over to the desk, her eyes betrayed the smallest amount of emotion before her neutral expression reappeared.

  “Lorna, I know that what has happened cannot be changed, but I hope that you bear me no ill will for not coming back to Troy sooner. If you haven’t thought about me since then I’d understand, but I’d be lying if I said that I haven’t thought of you.”

  For the briefest of moments Lorna smiled, and with that she looked no different to how Duke remembered her. Her hair was still as dark as her skin, and her big, questioning eyes still tried their best to bore deep into his mind. The smile vanished quickly, but there was no anger in Lorna’s eyes.

  “Duke, I don’t hate you, if that is what you are asking. No, if anything I am sad that you’ve come back here, simply because that means you’ve broken a promise you made to yourself. I have thought of you, fondly, since you left, but not for a long time.”

  “That’s more than I deserve, thank you. I may have promised myself not to return here, but I have lost a lot since I made that promise, and Konar is not the place it once was to me. I practically raised a street orphan, and she is now married to a mayor, of all people. Another man, who I called a close friend, died recently. I’ve buried enough family and friends over the years, it’s about time that I stopped worrying too much about the rules I’ve been confined by; I’d like to enjoy what time I have left before I’m lying on my deathbed and worrying about whether I wasted my life.”

  Before Lorna wasn’t the man she knew as Duke Kefo, but a pale imitation of the strong, fierce man she had loved many years ago. Duke had always had a fire in him, driving him forwards when those around him were clueless of how to cope with tough times. When she looked in his eyes the fire was not there, just the eyes of a defeated man greeted her.

  “I can see that a lot has happened since we were last together, and I am sorry to see you without your passion for life; I hope that you can find it again, perhaps even here. If you’d like we can go for a meal after your audience with Yadriel; it would be nice to catch up with an old friend.”

  “That would be nice, thank you, Lorna. I just hope that Yadriel is as welcoming as you are.”

  “I thought that being in an entirely new and foreign city would throw off Lev’s bloodhound ability to find somewhere selling cheap beer and serving good food, but, if anything, he’s beaten his record time for finding just the tavern.” said Greg as he lowered a half-drained tankard to the tables sticky surface.

  “I might need to be a member of the crew for a little longer than a few months to confirm your claim of his abilities, but this place definitely feels very familiar. If anything, I could swear I’ve been into this tavern on at least three separate worlds.” Deborah grinned as both Greg and Lev burst into laughter and busied herself with her own drink.

  “It’s amazing how every city has at least one tavern, bar, pub, or alley, that only the lowest of the low frequent, whether planet-side, hidden within an asteroid, confined to a cruiser-class vessel, or orbiting a planet, I never fail to find the place. Considering credits are becoming a bit of a premium for those in the mining business, I am more than happy to enjoy cheap beer and cheaper food.” said Lev.

  After the third round of drinks their food arrived, its muted colours, greasy appearance, and excessive quantity identifying itself as hearty food that all three crew members were more than happy to devour. Silence descended on their table, at least for a short while.

  Greg wiped away the food matted within his beard, which he had little choice in growing when he discovered that his light-razor had been left at home.

  “Is the guy sat three tables over a friend of yours, Deborah? He hasn’t taken his eyes off you the whole time I’ve been eating.”

  Deborah followed Greg’s eyes and easily found the man, his own food left untouched. She expected him to turn away, but instead he continued staring straight at her.

  “Can’t say I know him; might just have to teach him that it is rude to stare.”

  Before either man could stop her Deborah was on her feet and weaving through the closely packed tables. Within a moment she was stood opposite the man, leaning across the table and, judging from the stunned look upon his face, using some choice words he had not expected Deborah to know.

  “Do you think we should go over and help?” asked Lev.

  “I don’t think he deserves to be rescued from Deborah. See, she can handle herself.”

  Lev turned back to see the man sprawled on the floor, his arms attempting to shield his face as Deborah reigned down blow after blow with her open palm. He stood up and squeezed passed the tables, doing his best not to upend them on any diners and start a riot, until he could drag Deborah away from the cowering man.

  “What are you thinking, Deborah? You know that Troy doesn’t tolerate violence.” warned Lev, keeping his eyes fixed on the dishevelled heap at their feet.

  “This man threatened me; what was I supposed to do?”

  The man lowered his arms and began to stammer but was interrupted as Lev hoisted him to his feet, one large hand holding his shoulder firm enough to suggest that now was not the time for protesting.

  “We are going to go somewhere a little more private to discuss what has happened, like adults, and neither of you are going to instigate any more violence; agreed?” both the man and Deborah nodded; Lev’s tone was not one that had any tolerance for debate.

  The crew members sat opposite the man, who had remained wide eyed and silent whilst Greg had navigated the foreign city in search of somewhere more secluded. Now they were all sat within a walled section of a public garden, its exotic display of plant life full of colours the crew had never seen before, yet they avoided becoming distracted by the sights to behold.

  “My friends and I are not looking to upset the officials of Troy and be ousted so soon after arriving, so I would like you to explain your attack on Deborah before any tempers raise again.” Lev had calmed during their walk, helped by the fact that the man had not tried to fight or flee whilst being escorted through the city.

  “I did not try to attack Deborah, I would not dream of doing such a thing to my previous employer.”

  Lev turned at the sharp intake of breath, seeing the stunned look on Deborah’s face that only aided in confusing him further.

  “That’s impossible; who are you?” she asked of the man.

  “I used to go by Kantah Parnett, when aboard the Titaulis, but now I prefer Kahn. It’s so good to see you alive, captain; I believed you to be imprisoned, or worse.”

  Deborah took several deep breaths, finally regaining control and allowing her body to relax. It was only once calm that she felt the pain of her hands gripping the tables edge with all her strength.

  “I presume this is not the time to ask what exactly is going on?” asked Greg, his eyes flitting between Kahn and Deborah.

  “The Titaulis was my first, and only, command. I must admit I do not remember you, Kahn, but then among a crew of near two hundred, who changed often, I hope that you cannot blame me.

  “We used to work, unofficially, for Konar whilst scuttling merchant Believer crafts, and looting any remaining cargo. Needless to say, it wouldn’t be in your best interests to repeat that, Greg. It was a dangerous job, highly paid and very rewarding, for those that survived it.

  “Titaulis was eventually taken by a Believer war fleet, after a short dogfight near the Kintor warp gate. If they had not ambushed us so close to the gate no one would have survived. I stayed on the ship long enough for some of my crew to get to the escape pods and then took the last once I could stay aboard no longer. I was lucky to pilot my pod free of the wreckage.
Konar’s military collected the survivors, and I was told all were put to death; how Kahn survived is a mystery to me.”

  Kahn rolled up the left sleeve of his long shirt, revealing the braided wires running under the surface of his arms translucent skin. The crew members moved backwards out of instinct, distancing themselves from the man.

  “I didn’t leave in an escape pod. The Believers boarded the Titaulis and rounded up any useful biological matter fit for repurposing, as they so delicately put it. I, along with three others, had not been dead too long when we were scavenged. Now I have a musculoskeletal network routed through my body, tying me with a merchant named Alcurant. I was spared the neural link, as they quickly discovered just how grateful I was to be alive, and willing to cooperate.”

  “Kahn, I am so sorry for what they have done to you. Becoming a Believer pawn is no life at all. Can we not do something for you?” asked Deborah.

  “It is not a bad life, and I was only tied to Alcurant for a fifteen-year service; it has not been a hard six years for me, the work not too strenuous. Besides, the only thing that would free me from him is to be traded or purchased, and I know neither would be cheap. No, he is as fair a master as a man rescued from death could hope for. At the same time if you were to resume your old business I would be very useful to you, captain.”

  Chapter 11

  Yadriel sat upon the high-backed chair, face impassive against the discomfort in his lower back, as the Believer merchant droned on about the value of continuing the trade deal between himself and Troy.

  Yadriel had long since lost count of the number of pirates, merchants, peasants, and societies dregs that he had welcomed in the Bronze Keep. The almost circular room had, long ago, been designed to amplify the voice of the council’s head speaker; now only Yadriel remained of the seventeen that had founded Troy. Around him, sat motionless as the merchant continued on despite the lack of interest his audience showed, were a handful of advisors and guards, all trusted men and women that served their king loyally.

  He had learnt the art of reading body language and holding just enough attention to notice the changes in a speaker’s voice to know when the all too familiar bullshit had finally ended.

  “…and it is with great pleasure that I offer the city of Troy our latest shipment of Nigrum at the reduced cost of seven million Elypse per ton.”

  The Keep, along with amplifying sounds from the speaker, had the twin role of preventing any outside noises from seeping into the audience chamber, leaving a dead silence once the merchant ended his speech.

  Yadriel did not move so much as a single muscle in his face as he processed the ludicrous offer put before him by the Believer merchant Alcurant. There was no direct conversion between Konarian credits and the Believer currency, the Elypse, but Yadriel knew their buying power on Troy and that the reduced price had resulted in a rise of at least a quarter over the last shipment.

  “How much Nigrum have you for sale, Alcurant?” asked the king.

  “We have one ton aboard my vessel, with the same again expected to be available within the next few weeks. Enough to supply Troy for half the year, your highness.”

  “Am I correct in presuming that you expect payment of the fourteen million Elypse’s prior to delivery of the second shipment?”

  “Your liege has always honoured me with full payment, and I have delivered on all orders in full. However, I am open to negotiation on the timescale of said payments, if there is an issue.”

  Yadriel managed to resist his flaring temper at the slight, not wanting to allow the merchant the satisfaction of his anger, nor lose face in front of his subjects. It was one thing to insult him with a preposterously inflated price, no doubt because of the scarcity of consistent Nigrum supplies, but another to question Troy’s ability to pay its dues.

  “Alcurant, whilst I am sure you’ve offered Troy your best price, I cannot justify the cost of business at this time. If you have a counteroffer please feel free to schedule another meeting, but I shall have to draw this one to a close.”

  Alcurant’s mouth opened, as if to protest, but he and his stunned companion were ushered from the room by the royal guard almost immediately after Yadriel finished speaking. Within moments the lesser keep doors had been closed and silence returned.

  “My king, their price was ridiculous, but we have had no merchants come forward with anywhere near the quantity that Alcurant claims to offer. Can we afford to gamble on him returning with a fairer price?” asked Landachio, the kings’ right hand.

  “Alcurant has allowed greed to get the better of him, and I will not meet his demands; he would only be tempted to raise the price next time we are in need. No, we will wait, and he will break first. After all, he would not get a quarter of that price on Elysium. Now, be so good as to see that Duke Kefo is sent in.”

  Yadriel motioned for his advisors to leave the hall. He watched as they collected the notes before them and filed out, until only Yadriel and his guards remained. Ordinarily he would have seen all but two guards dismissed, allowing his men the opportunity of rest they deserved after a long day at attention. The increasing frequency and boldness of attacks on him had left Yadriel weary of all visitors, and it seemed to him all too coincidental that Duke would return after all these years. The only reassuring news had been that every scan had shown him and his crew to be without weapons when they docked, something Yadriel had barely believed; no one turned up to Troy so vulnerable.

  After a few moments the doors reopened, and a familiar man walked into hall. Yadriel studied Duke with a critical eye, noting the weight gain, visible aging, and limp that had befallen the man since last he stepped foot on Troy. Time ravaged all, and Duke was certainly no exception to this.

  Yadriel looked no different to Duke than he had last they spoke, aided by a raft of expensive procedures, augments, and, for all he knew, witch doctors. It came as no surprise, since the man’s wealth would only have grown over the years, that he could afford to keep nature at bay.

  “Well met, Duke Kefo.” spoke Yadriel once the silence had gone on long enough. “I see that the years have not been kind to you, friend, but I am warmed that you still live and breathe before me.”

  “You are not wrong, my king; life has taken its toll on me, both physically and mentally. I had sworn not to return to Troy, for fear of Konar’s wrath, yet I have lost more than I thought I would ever have and do not wish to see out my days without seeing the glory of Troy at least one more time.

  “But that is not the only reason for my return, and I would not insult you by pretending that I am only here to see old friends. My crew and I were fortunate enough to find a large deposit of Nigrum whilst mining, and I knew that my best chance of selling such an amount lay in Troy. I assume there is still a market, and demand, for it?”

  Set into the desk in front of Yadriel was a convoluted array of controls, screens, and various data ports. Simply by placing his index finger into a recessed port he could connect his one-way neural bridge to an internal network, accessible solely by his advisors, and issue a command for the Illicit Jane’s hold to be scanned and an inventory report returned to him. All this he achieved without taking his eyes from Duke.

  “You are correct, for as long as faster than light drives use Nigrum enriched fuel Troy will always have a market for its sale. If I had known that you were here on business I would not have dismissed my advisors. How much Nigrum are you wishing to sell?”

  “Ideally all of it, but I know that if I return to Konar without any form of saleable material, and a sudden influx of disposable income, it won’t be long before I am looking at a treason charge. I have three tons for sale, which is more than Troy’s yearly usage when I was here last; hopefully demand has increased since then and I will manage to sell the majority of it.”

  Yadriel could not stop himself from smirking at the amount Duke claimed to have for sale. He knew there was always the slight chance that Duke had been bought, using Nigrum as some form of decoy
to get to Yadriel, or, and this was far sweeter a thought, Alcurant would be going back to Elysium empty handed.

  “I would have to bring Landachio back into the hall if we are to negotiate such a deal, as I have entrusted him with the final say on Troy’s purchasing. I have to say that such a large amount of Nigrum has not been offered to Troy in a long time, and you will have to forgive my doubts that you have what you claim for sale.”

  “That is more than understandable, my liege; I would not believe a man who claimed to have such a quantity sitting in his hold. However, I have not lied to you before, and am more than willing for an inspection of my ship to be carried out before we proceed with any negotiations.”

  Yadriel looked down at the message displayed on a screen before him and grinned at the report; he had not relished the idea of having to put Duke to death.

  Chapter 12

  Lorna sat opposite Duke, smiling whilst she watched his eyes wander from her own to the red dress contoured around her curves; it felt good to know that he still desired her, and she was surprised by the feelings it brought about within her. When Duke tore his eyes away Lorna watched him blush as he realised she had caught him in the act.

  “I am sorry, Lorna; it has been far too long since I last gazed at your beauty. Can you blame me for being so distracted?” he asked.

  “Ever the charmer, Duke; you always knew what to say to make me smile. I miss how easily you can improve my mood, there hasn’t been many moments to smile over recently. Part of me wishes you had never left here, but I would never have dreamt of asking you to leave your family behind.”

  Duke’s arm paused as he raised the tankard to his lips; Lorna’s words brought back memories he had thought were long since suppressed.

  Lorna studied the shifting of his face and watched as Duke’s eyes began to glisten. He looked up at her and Lorna could only see hurt in his eyes, raw pain that Duke could not hold in check.