Quill

by A. C. Cobble

  She walked over and quickly saw the source of the blood. A man was lying face down, dressed in the livery of the driver’s guild. His neat, black coat was slit in the back where she was certain a dagger had been thrust into him from behind.

  A public carriage driver not given a chance to return to Westundon and share what he’d seen, who he had transported. Shaking her head at the injustice, Sam looked up and saw on the back of the carriage a heavy wooden trunk.

  She approached it and hesitantly flipped it open.

  It was half-filled with the hastily packed remnants of a noble lady’s life. Sam winced as she recognized a red silk robe, the one Isisandra had been wearing when… She shivered and pawed through the rest of the contents of the trunk, finding more clothing, combs, containers for makeup, a plethora of shoes, and at the bottom, a slim black book.

  She pulled it out and set it aside as she finished rooting through Isisandra’s wardrobe then turned to the book.

  There was no text on the front, the binding, or even the back, just a five-pointed silver star with an almond-shaped eye in the center of it. She turned it over in her hands, frowning at it. Why would the girl have a single volume packed away in her trunk? There was an entire library on the shelves of the macabre chamber below the manor. Sam opened the book and gasped. The pages were filled with small, neatly drawn runes. Runes that she could read a few of and many that she could not.

  Eyebrows scrunched, she flipped the pages, letting her gaze trace the sharp, archaic script. From the Darklands, she was certain, but it was not the modern writing of that land. This was older, ancient. Her hands trembled as she continued to turn the pages, finding symbols, diagrams—

  She flipped to the beginning and puzzled out the title there. The Book of Law.

  “The Feet of Seheht, huh?” asked Duke.

  She turned and saw the nobleman had approached quietly.

  “The feet of what? What did you say?” she asked, hoping he hadn’t said what she thought he had.

  “Seheht,” replied Duke. “Do you think the marquess was a member? It would fit, for a man like him. Isisandra is a bit young, at least on the noble side of the society from what I’ve heard.”

  “What have you heard?” whispered Sam.

  Duke blinked at her, frowning. “The Feet of Seheht… It’s one of those silly secret societies the nobles waste their time on. Like the one we uncovered in Harwick, remember? What was that called, the Mouth of Set? Costumes, rituals… From what I understand, most of it is just an excuse for older peers to get a little excitement. Many of the rituals are purported to be sexual in nature…”

  “Sexual rituals?” asked Sam, forcing down the cold knot of concern growing in her gut.

  “It’s a, ah, a cult I suppose you could say,” replied Duke. “I don’t know. I’ve never been to one of their events. I know people, though…”

  “You know members of the Feet of Seheht?” questioned Sam.

  “Some…” answered Duke, clearly picking up the tension in her tone. “It’s harmless, isn’t it? Certainly no one was keeping it much of a secret. Older men and women, younger ones to pair with them, conducting strange ritual sexual rites at midnight. I— Sam, I know people who have been members, and not a one of them would be involved in anything like what we saw below. My cousin Lannia, she wouldn’t… It’s just a mockery of real sorcery, just a way to associate with other members of society, get drunk, take a little syrup of the poppy, and get naked every solstice… right?”

  She held up the book. “Why, then, was this in Isisandra’s trunk? Why is it tucked in amongst her clothing? Duke, I believe this text is written in Darklands script from hundreds of years ago. No noble in Enhover would be able to read this. Duke, why would Isisandra have this, one of the few items she threw into her trunk before fleeing, unless it was real? Why is this one, the Book of Law, the one book she saved?”

  The nobleman frowned at the volume in her hand, his lips pressed tightly together, his hands clenched into fists. “The Feet of Seheht is just playacting. I’m sure of it.”

  “In Harwick, we uncovered a group calling themselves the Mouth of Set,” replied Sam.

  Duke shifted on his feet and nodded.

  “Set is one aspect of a purported lord of the underworld,” explained Sam. “It is a popular name in occult literature, not difficult to find and not surprising some nobleman would pick it as the name of an organization. Seheht is a second aspect of the lord, and Seshim is the third. The dark trinity, these aspects are called. Together, they are supposed to have incredible power, second only to another spirit lord, Ca-Mi-He, the one the countess contacted right before she was murdered.”

  “S-so…” stammered Duke. He ran his hand over his hair, checking the knot at the back and then cursing when he found it had slipped. “I don’t understand.”

  “Hathia Dalyrimple was involved in a society known as the Mouth of Set. Her daughter has a book from the Feet of Seheht. That is two of the three aspects of the dark trinity. Is that a coincidence?”

  Grim-faced, Duke shook his head. “The trail does not end in that chamber below, does it?”

  “Mother, father, daughter… Given what we’ve seen, can we assume anything is a coincidence anymore?” questioned Sam. “When we return to Westundon, we should gather your brother, Bishop Yates—”

  “No,” interjected Duke, frowning. “I told you. I know people who were in these societies. For young peers, it’s quite common… I don’t think my brother would be involved in anything like what we found below. I know he wouldn’t. I’d trust Philip with my life, with anything… He’s the best man I know, but what if I’m wrong?”

  Sam looked into the duke’s eyes and saw the worry, the fear. She told him, “We have to find out.”

  Staring at the book in her hands, Duke added, “In Archtan Atoll, in Swinpool, someone followed us. Someone was aware of our movements. Sam, if we continue on this trail, it has to be between us. No one else can know.”

  “You and me, then,” she agreed.

  The Cartographer XXII

  He tossed back the drink, letting the fiery liquid burn down his throat, warm his stomach, and fortify his courage.

  “Another?” asked the barman.

  Oliver looked up at the man, his bald pate reflecting the low candlelight in the pub, his short, brown beard speckled with longer white hairs, and his eyes burning with awareness.

  “How long have you owned this pub, Andrew?” asked Oliver.

  “Long as I can remember,” responded the barman.

  “And is owning a pub all you ever wanted?” Oliver questioned.

  Andrew chuckled. “Naw, drinking every day is all I ever wanted. I figured opening a pub was the easiest way to do it.”

  “A drink together, then?” suggested Oliver.

  The barman shrugged and set another small glass on the counter. He poured one for the duke, one for the priestess, and one for himself. Without word, he raised the glass, waited until they’d followed suit, and downed it. Without comment, he walked off, a rag in his hand, wiping down his bar, though there hadn’t been another patron seated at it since Sam and Oliver arrived.

  “Are you sure about this?” she asked him.

  “No,” replied Oliver, reaching for the bottle of spirits Andrew had left behind. “That’s why I am drinking so much.”

  “Do not get drunk and sloppy,” warned Sam.

  “Last one,” agreed Oliver. He topped her off as well.

  They finished their drinks and then stood and walked out the back door of the Befuddled Sage. Sam steered him to a dark alley behind the tavern, around several fog-damp barrels, and led him several blocks into an abandoned courtyard.

  “You are sure no one will see us in here?” asked Oliver, glancing around the courtyard and back down the dark alley.

  “I am sure,” she mumbled, flexing her hand. “I, ah, I come and go back here from time to time. I’ve never had a problem. Now, take it off.”

  “Not whil
e you’re watching,” he complained. “Go fetch the carriage, and I’ll change.”

  Sighing and affecting a pout, she turned and walked out of the courtyard into the street beyond.

  Rolling his eyes, Oliver stripped out of his clothing. From a pack they’d brought with them, he pulled out a bundle of new clothing. Dressing quickly in the chill night air, he glanced up at the shuttered second-floor windows lining the courtyard. Businesses which should be closed this late at night, but one never knew.

  He ran his hand over his hair, touching the knot in the back. The knot that always gave him assurance. The knot tied by a thin leather thong that had been his mother’s once. He remembered she wore it to tie back her hair when she played with him as a child, when they pretended to be explorers seeking the next horizon. That was before she… before she what? The vision of the underworld, was it real? She had not been there, not a part of that unending march across the spectral landscape. Was it a trick of the sorcerous powder Marquess Colston had thrown in his face, or… or what?

  Shaking his head, knowing he did not have the answer, he pulled a black silk mask over his face then pulled up the cowl of the robe. He tugged on gloves and looked down at himself, every inch of his body covered in black silk. He felt rather silly, but it was the only way in.

  He waited until he heard the rumble of carriage wheels stop at the mouth of the courtyard. A door clicked open, and he rushed out and climbed into the carriage. Sam stood on the street behind him.

  Before shutting the door, she whispered, “No one should suspect where this carriage came from or who is in it. If there are watchers, all they will know is that you entered the Befuddled Sage with me and they’ll think we are inside until you return. If anyone suspicious comes sniffing around, Andrew will let me know.”

  Oliver nodded, unsure if she saw the gesture, but the carriage lurched into motion, and he remained quiet. He peered out the tiny opening between the window frame and the curtain that covered the glass. The dark buildings were silent so late in the evening. The black of night was broken only by a scattered few lit windows and the corner street lamps. Westundon was sleepy and cold on the eve of the winter solstice. It was just an hour before midnight.

  The carriage traveled half a league until it slowed and then stopped outside a tall brick wall. Oliver could barely see the iron spikes ringing the barrier, and he waited nervously until the carriage lurched into motion, moving just a short distance before stopping again, this time inside a walled courtyard.

  The door was opened from outside, and Oliver emerged, finding a masked and hooded man standing on the gravel. Another carriage was turning in the court and departing ahead of them. The masked figure nodded toward the door of the building.

  He crossed the gravel expanse to it. Another robed figure opened the door and ushered Oliver inside. Plush carpet, silver lanterns, and bare stone walls. He followed the hallway, passing closed iron-bound wooden doors until he reached one at the end of the hall.

  A third masked figure was standing in front of it. “Welcome, aspirant. Tonight, we renounce our primitive selves, our realistic selves, and our moral selves. Are you ready to set them aside and become one with Seheht?”

  Drawing a deep breath, Oliver touched his chest, his pointer and thumb forming a circle, the other three fingers held straight.

  The masked man nodded and then turned and opened the door.

  Oliver walked inside.

  Thanks for reading!

  Thank you so much for taking the time to read my book! There are plenty to choose from, so it means a lot you picked this one.

  If you enjoyed it, please tell a friend about it.

  A few folks who helped drag this from messy draft to complete package: Shawn T King is responsible for the cover design and most of the graphics you see on my social media and website. Bob Kehl illustrated a digital painting and whipped up the line art for me. Soraya Corcoran created the maps — which was a bit crucial for this particular series. Nicole Zoltack is back yet again as my proof reader, and James Z (no relation) is my lone beta reader. Without their help, this would be a very different experience. And while I still find this hard to believe, the legendary Simon Vance is narrating the audiobooks. The moment I heard his voice, I knew he was the guy. I’m blown away he agreed to take on this project. Finally, thanks to the Terrible 10. May we always talk over cigars, scotch, and archery.

  If this book was your first experience with my writing, I encourage you to check out my completed series: Benjamin Ashwood. It follows a young man who embarks on a dangerous quest with mysterious strangers. The series has sold hundreds of thousands of copies and kick off my career as an author.

  If you’d like to learn more about me or my writing, the best place is Patreon. On there, I share exclusive updates, sneak peeks, and EARLY copies of every book I publish. If I have something really good, I put it on Patreon.

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  AC

  Glossary

  Members of the Crown:

  Edward Wellesley — King of Enhover

  Lilibet Wellesley – deceased, former wife of Edward & Queen of Enhover

  Philip Wellesley – son of Edward & Lilibet, Prince of Enhover & Duke of Westundon

  Lucinda Wellesley — wife of Philip, Princess of Enhover & Duchess of Westundon

  Franklin Wellesley — son of Edward & Lilibet, Duke of Eastundon

  John Wellesley — son of Edward & Lilibet, Duke of Southundon

  Oliver “Duke” Wellesley — son of Edward & Lilibet, Duke of Northundon

  William Wellesley — brother of Edward, unlanded earl & Prime Minister of Enhover

  Lannia Wellesley — daughter of William & unlanded countess

  Members of the Peerage (Council of Lords):

  Josiah Child — widower & Baron of Eiremouth

  Aria Child — daughter of Josiah, twin of Isabella

  Isabella Child — daughter of Josiah, twin of Aria

  Nathaniel Child — brother of Josiah & unlanded baron

  Rafael Colston – unlanded marquees

  Members of the Church:

  Joshua Langdon — Cardinal of Enhover

  Gabriel Yates — Bishop of Westundon

  Thotham — priest & Knife of the Council

  Samantha “Sam” — apprentice of Thotham

  Members of the Ministry:

  Richard Brach — Admiral of the Royal Marines

  Brendan Ostrander — Commander of the Royal Marines in Archtan Atoll Colony

  Herbert Shackles — Chief of Staff for Prince Philip Wellesley

  Joff Gallen — Senior Inspector in Harwick

  Patrick “Pat” McCready — Inspector in Harwick

  Jonas — night watchman in Harwick

  Walpole — minor bureaucrat in Westundon

  Bryce – minor bureaucrat in Westundon

  Winchester — valet to Oliver Wellesley

  Members of the Company:

  Randolph Raffles — member of the Company’s board of directors, Company representative in Westundon

  Sebastian Dalyrimple — Earl of Derbycross & Governor of Archtan Atoll Colony

  Hathia Dalyrimple — wife of Sebastian & Countess of Derbycross

  Isisandra Dalyrimple — daughter of Sebastian & Hathia

  Jain Towerson — Governor of Imbon Colony

  Giles – senior factor (merchant) in Imbon Colony

  John Haines — Captain of the airship Cloud Serpent

  Catherine Ainsley — First Mate on the airship Cloud Serpent

  Pettybone — Second Mate on the airship Cloud Serpent

  Samuels — crew on the
airship Cloud Serpent

  Others:

  Pierre de Bussy — Governor of Finavia’s colonies in the Vendatt Islands

  Duvante — historian & author

  Edwin Holmes – deceased, former pothecary in Harwick

  Fielding — apothecary in Harwick

  Jack — body man to Baron Nathaniel Child

  Marcus — adept in the Feet of Seheht

  Andrew – barman & owner of the Befuddled Sage

  Madam Winrod – medicine woman

  Artemis – leader of a group of pirates

  Locations:

  In the nation of Enhover:

  Southundon — home to King Edward, Duke John & capital of Enhover & Southundon province

  Westundon — home to Prince Philip, Duke Oliver & capital of Westundon province

  Eastundon — home to Duke Franklin & capital of Eastundon province

  Northundon — capital of Northundon province, destroyed in war

  Middlebury — city in Eastundon province & major rail transit hub

  Swinpool — city in Westundon province & cod fishing village

  Harwick — city in Eastundon province & whaling village

  United Territories — allied nations, tribute states to Enhover

  Ivalla — home of the Church’s headquarters

  Finavia — wealthy merchant nation

  Rhensar — forested nation known for hedge mages and wood witches

  Coldlands — subjugated and largely destroyed by war

  Archtan Atoll — colony of the Company & famous for levitating islands

  Archtan Town — location of Company House

  Eyies — island in Archtan Atoll

  Farawk — island near Artchtan Atoll

  Imbon — colony of the Company

  Westlands — largely unexplored & location of Company outpost

  Southlands — largely unexplored & location of Company outpost

  Darklands — largely unexplored, religious state known for worship of the underworld