by Alex Cannon
CHAPTER 2
Range and Nicodemus sat staring out the window of the tavern, watching the people crowd in to find seats.The evening air was thick with humidity. The tavern mixed the moisture with pipe smoke and the odors of cooking fish. Range’s large fist clinched the handle of his tankard. They had been at the table for nearly an hour, waiting for Lucan.
The count’s administrator was speaking tonight, and Range had learned long ago that in order to get a table, he had to beat the crowds.Most of Spadix would be packing the house within the next few moments.
“Did you talk to Lucan before you came?” Range said over the top of his mug.
Nicodemus shook his head.”Don’t worry. He’ll be here.”
Range nodded.”What’s Geinan speaking about tonight?”
“Who can say?Something’s wrong. You know he never holds meetings to tell us how well things are going.”
“Count Cassik never holds meetings, friend.His lackey administrator holds them for him.”
“Correct as always, Range.” Nicodemus pulled a durry from his pocket and lit it against the torch on the wall.Its smoke curled lazily away, mingling with the miasma of smoke from the other patron’s pipes and durries.
Range watched as two men hurriedly erected a makeshift podium for Geinan.Geinan himself–always dressed in the richest attire, and never without his ivory cane–stood to the side eyeing the crowd.He wore a green velvet coat over a white ruffled shirt selected to hide his double chin.Range smirked. He had always thought Geinan looked like a fat snake.
The crowd swelled into the busy tavern, and still no sign of Lucan.It was unlike him to be late for any meeting, especially one with friends.
“There’s no—” Nicodemus started, but the rapping of a cane on the podium interrupted him.
“Silence, please.Silence!” Geinan yelled over the din of the crowd.“You are all here to hear what the Count has to say, so listen up.”
Nicodemus turned again to look at Range.“The only thing bigger than his arrogance is his chin.”
Range nodded and grinned.
The rickety podium wobbled as Geinan gripped it.“Very good. Count Cassik is concerned with an individual plaguing our fair city with heinous criminal acts.”He paused for effect.“I am certain you all know of whom I speak.” Geinan looked from face to face.
Range knew.They all did.Range leaned in and whispered to Nicky,”Robbing a few gold coins is a heinous criminal act?”
“The man should be rewarded!” Nicky said. They both chuckled.
“The thieving criminal Levitin!” Geinan spewed the name like a curse.The room sank with the utterance of Levitin’s name.
Levitin was not an average thief.He had pulled off criminal feats that seemed inhuman and impossible.He had stolen coins and jewels from vaults that no other man could penetrate, let alone escape with his life.
“Levitin has burdened our land for too long now,” Geinan said.”The count wants all of you to take active measures to ensure his capture.”
Range and Nicodemus looked at each other again.They both knew no one would help the count capture Levitin.The alternative was too great.Levitin would pay hefty sums to anyone willing to harbor him for a night.He had created his own network of homes and businesses that would give him sanctuary.Every noble in the land had established a large reward for his capture.They did not understand the commoner’s view of the thief.Regardless of how much money the nobles offered for his capture, the common man enjoyed watching them get their comeuppance.
“The Count has raised the reward to two-hundred gold coins,” Geinan continued. Voices rumbled throughout the room.“And remember, any who are caught harboring this thief will share in his punishment.” The room fell quiet again.If Levitin were caught, his penalty would be death.
“Levitin wears black from head to toe. He wears a blue sash around his waist.We are having a poster prepared that will detail his description further.”After a thoughtful pause, Geinan finished.“If there are no questions…” He looked about the room.“Good then.The Count and I trust you will all keep a watchful eye.”With that, Geinan exited the tavern.Within moments, the room was thundering with voices.
Nicky and Range stood and made their way to the back of the room where it was somewhat quieter, to smoke and talk.”You should track him down yourself, Range.That’s a lot of gold.”
Range shrugged.”Miriam and I are happy as we’ve ever been. The children are doing well in their classes, and our shop is bringing in good money.I’d hate to risk it all for two hundred gold. Besides, he’s eluded kings for years.How would I catch him?”
Nicky shrugged, then lit another durry.”I wonder where Lucan is?”
“Why don’t we go check on him?”
“Now?”
“Why not?”
“I would like to have a few more pints,” Nicky said.
Range sighed.”I would too.”
A woman burst into the tavern. She cast about for a few moments in panic and then spotted Range and Nicky.She ran to their table.
“Carine, what is it?” Range asked, standing.
“They killed him!” she cried in furtive tones, trying to avoid drawing attention.
Range grabbed her by the shoulders.”Who?”
“Lucan! They killed him!”
“Who killed him?” Range stifled an urge to yell.
“Four men! They broke into the house and killed him!” She began sobbing on the verge of hysteria.
“Why?” Range asked.
“I don’t know!” she said through her sobs.
“What happened?” Range stood, ready to leave.
Nicky put his hand on Range’s arm and shook his head.”Careful. Let’s get the whole story before we go over.”
They shared a look of knowing and Range turned back to Carine.”Tell, and be quick.”
“We were at home and Lucan was preparing to come to the meeting.Someone knocked at our door. Lucan asked who it was and they told him to open the door.He asked again and they tried to force the door open.”She stopped to wipe her eyes.”So he told me to hide in the back room.”
“You hid?”
“Yes!” She gripped her dress in fists.”Why did I do that? I should have helped him!”
“You would have died as well.” Range said.His fingers and toes felt numb and his throat tightened. Lucan dead? His mind flew in ten different directions.
“I hid in the back room and I heard the front door crash in. There was a scuffle and I heard Lucan yell a few times.Then it was quiet. I crept to the door and looked around.There were four men and two d-demons!”
“Demons?”Nicky sat up straight.
She nodded.
“Then what?” Range asked. A sick feeling crept into his stomach.
“The men were garbed in black. Their faces wrapped to their eyes and—”
Nicky looked at Range.”Sicari?”
Range shook his head.”With demons?” Only vile Osaban priests conjured demons. Sicari didn’t have anything to do with demons.
“The leader leaned over Lucan and asked him something about a sword. Lucan fought against the demons holding him down. They were ugly, horrible creatures!”
Range and Nicky traded looks.Who would be looking for a sword, and why?
“Go on, Carine.” Range fought the urge to bolt over to his friend, but it was too late for that.
“Lucan said he didn’t know what they were talking about and struggled to break free from the demons. The man asking the questions pulled out a long, curved dagger and plunged it into his chest.” She started sobbing again.
“Osaban?” Nicky asked Range.
“Has to be.”
Carine looked up.”What would an Osaban priest want with Lucan? What sword was he talking about?”
“Carine, do you have anyone you can stay with?” Range asked.
“I can stay with my aunt.”
“Good, I want you to go there now.” Range said.
“By myself?” she asked.
“Nicky will go with you.”
Nicky looked at him, wide-eyed.”I will?”
“You must. I’m finding a guard and going to Lucan’s home.”
Carine got up and Nicky walked her to the door.He said something to her and came back to Range.“Range, if someone is looking for the Sword. . .”
“I know. I know.”
“What are you going to do?”
“It seems that someone with a lot of resources is looking for Bellatrix.”
.