Broken Crown

by Drae Box

  The door handle lowered and a woman clad in black stepped into the room and shut the door behind her with her foot. Raneth does that sometimes. Aldora frowned up at the woman. She was under six foot tall, but over Aldora’s five foot four, and as she watched the tanned woman walk towards her, she noticed that she walked confidently. Also like Raneth. She’s pretty much prowling towards me.

  “Who are you, and why am I tied up?” asked Aldora.

  The woman smiled, her dark red lips expanding like a caterpillar across her face. She folded her arms against her athletic body and stood in front of Aldora, her dark brown hair sliding down the front of her left shoulder.

  “Who said you can ask the questions, Dagger Bearer?”

  What accent is that? This has to be the Mening.

  “Because I am the Dagger Bearer, that’s why,” stated Aldora. “Who are you? Are you the Mening I’ve been hearing about?”

  “Yes.” The Mening tilted her head to the side as she observed Aldora with her dark brown eyes. “I had hoped you would be more interesting once awake.”

  “You need to let me go,” said Aldora.

  The woman shook her head. “No. I want to make sure you are given to your uncle. He needs you. Tell me, Aldora Leoma, where have you been?”

  Aldora stayed quiet as the Mening started to circle her, and she noticed that the woman had two blades resting against her hips; both blades were more curved than straight, and they looked as if they could be held so that the blade hooked around in front of the knuckles without any risk of harming the wielder as she held the grips. Do I answer her? wondered Aldora as the Mening completed her first circle around her. Or do I refuse? She shook her head to herself. “I want to see my uncle anyway. You can untie me. I want a word with him about the royal officials.”

  “I was not born yesterday. You will run.” The Mening repeated her question.

  “I was in Newer,” admitted Aldora.

  “Newer,” uttered the Mening. “With the royal official captain?”

  Aldora nodded. “Yeah. I was helping him.”

  “To kill Newers?”

  “No.” She hesitated and clenched her eyes briefly shut. “Yes. Sort of. It wasn’t the plan to kill anyone.”

  “Yes or no? Did he kill?”

  Aldora swallowed. I never should have started speaking. “Yes. Someone who attacked us.”

  “Then it was self-defence, no?”

  Aldora thought over one of the deaths she had witnessed in Newer that she and Raneth had played a part in. “Yes,” she decided. “It was someone trained as an Eastern Barbaric assassin. Raneth made his passing quick. I dealt the first blow, but it wasn’t clean.”

  “So he has compassion?”

  Aldora frowned. “Why are you so interested in him?”

  “Curious. He is a royal official. They are said to be good fighters.”

  “They’re the best.” She’s not well practised in the Common Tongue. She’s not using contractions when she talks, noticed Aldora.

  The Mening frowned then scratched at her left eyebrow, which was missing some of its centre to a small sideways scar. “I am Zakia Nuria,” said the Mening. “I find him interesting.”

  A knock came from the door and it swung open. Aldora glanced over and watched as Thane Frey stepped into the room with a large smile on his face.

  “Thane, did you have anything to do with this?” asked Aldora, looking down at her wrists and ankles.

  “Don’t be absurd. I would never waste rope on you. I would just knock you out and leave you somewhere for Raneth to find. A Brethren punched you in the face. Don’t you remember?”

  No. Aldora frowned back at the Frey, unsure if she should believe him or not. Raneth often took his word as truth, but she wasn’t a Bayre – there was no reason for Thane to play fair with her.

  Zakia looked Thane up and down. Why’s she giving him that look? Aldora watched as Zakia prowled around the Master Frey, tapping one of her blades with a fingernail as she did.

  “How did you get inside without my hearing you coming?” questioned Zakia.

  Thane laughed. “You mean, how did I enter without the Guardsmen seeing me and letting you know I was coming?”

  “Yes. Spit it out.”

  Thane looked at Aldora and gave her a small smile before giving the Mening a larger one. “It’s one of my little knacks. I came to notify you that Raneth Bayre has been seen in the city, and to remind you that per my trading agreement with Denzel, Shale and Koyla, the Bayre is mine and mine alone to harm or to kill.”

  Koyla? Koyla had been mentioned in Newer; Lodema had assumed Aldora knew him and wouldn’t accept she didn’t. Now she knew why. He was a friend of her uncle’s. Aldora watched as Zakia huffed, annoyed.

  “I remember,” admitted Zakia. “I know my place. I just want to study him for a bit, if I can get my hands on him. See how he thinks. The King would not have promoted an idiot.”

  “He’s arguably smart,” confirmed Thane. “He did, after all, end up with the Dagger Bearer.” He took hold of Zakia’s shoulders and turned her to face away from Aldora, but she could still see both their faces in the mirror. “You would need more years to study the Bayre than I would allow you seconds to have him in your custody. Tying a useless woman up seems a little…” Thane inhaled as he picked his next word carefully, “…overzealous.”

  “If she is so useless, why is the Bayre so smart for going with her?”

  “Because she will be good for breeding with,” stated Thane, wrapping a weathered arm around Zakia’s shoulders. “And less likely to try and run off once she’s married.”

  The Mening shrugged Thane off. “Touch me again and you’ll lose your hand.”

  Is he doing that to irritate her? Aldora watched Zakia frown at Thane, before her brown eyes flicked up to the mirror to look back at her.

  “You will tell the Guardsmen how you entered,” stated the Mening.

  While Thane and Zakia continued to talk, Aldora looked once again at her bindings. Surely Uncle Denzel wouldn’t agree to my being tied up like some chicken? She hopped the chair closer to the door.

  “Na-ah,” warned Zakia, striding over and grabbing the back of the chair. She pulled Aldora back to her previous spot. “Do not do that again.”

  Or what? I doubt Uncle Denzel will let her do anything to me. Aldora hopped the chair over again. Zakia grabbed it and pulled her back in the same manner.

  “No.”

  The door opened and a man in one of the brown jackets stepped inside, holding the door ajar. “Thane Frey’s men are in the back garden, sir,” he uttered, looking to Zakia. “And Adharma has arrived.”

  Aldora curiously swept her gaze to Zakia; she didn’t look worried about being called ‘sir’. Maybe she prefers that. Zakia ran a hand over her dark hair and tucked it behind her ears, before sliding a hairband off her wrist and securing her hair in place at the back of her head.

  “Thank you. Leave and prepare the shipment for sixteen Suncrest in Icoque,” ordered the Mening. She glanced at Aldora as the Guardsman did as asked. She returned her gaze to Thane. “Adharma can take her and the Dagger to Denzel in Icoque.”

  The Dagger Bearer waited, watching the doorway until a man with short, black, swept-back hair stepped into the room. His brown eyes fell onto Aldora and he quickly frowned.

  “Aldora Leoma. Who…?” he uttered as he stepped deeper into the room, followed by another man wearing a Brethren’s jacket. “Who tied up my friend’s niece like some nasty criminal?”

  “Me.” The Mening strolled between the chair and the man who was presumably Adharma. “To make sure she was still here when you arrived.”

  The man muttered under his breath as he knelt down in front of Aldora and untied her ankles. “I apologise, Miss Leoma. I’m a friend of your uncle’s. I’m Adharma. We thought if you reappeared here that Zakia would treat you better. If I had known, I would have come quicker to escort you to your uncle. He’s waiting for you in our headquarters. A lo
vely factory we’re repurposed.”

  “What has my uncle done?” asked Aldora as he began to untie her wrists. “We need to talk about Raneth and the other royal officials, and what he’s doing to the kingdom.”

  Adharma stood up and tucked his hands behind his back as he looked down at her. “Later. What matters is that you’re safe.” He turned to Zakia. “If somebody isn’t an enemy, don’t tie them up. Just lock them in a room next time.”

  “But then they can escape. There are windows.”

  Adharma raised his eyebrows. “Then lock them.”

  “Locks can be picked. Tied hands and restricted movement is best for securing someone.”

  “Adharma, I don’t think you’re going to change her mind about that,” stated Thane, stepping forwards with a smile. He held his hand out to the Broken Crown member.

  Aldora stood up and rubbed her wrists as her uncle’s friend turned from her and clasped Thane’s arm near the elbow. Thane did the same in return.

  “Give me the Dagger back now,” she said as she stepped up next to Adharma and held her hand out expectantly to Thane.

  Adharma rolled his eyes. “He will not.”

  Thane carefully placed the Dagger of Protection into Adharma’s waiting hands.

  “Thane!” Aldora grabbed for the Dagger, but Adharma snatched his hands back.

  “Aldora, this is temporary. Your uncle needs it to strengthen his position, and you’re going to help him. When everything’s settled down, you can have it back.” Adharma tucked the blade into his weapons belt.

  Irritated, Aldora folded her arms and eyed her uncle’s friend. He was younger than her father, but old enough that he should know better than to steal one of the six Weapons of Protection. He was taller than her by an inch or so, and had an athletic body. Does he look like that because of whatever he does for Broken Crown? He was a carbantic too – what Giftens called those who were part Giften and part Eastern or Northern Barbaric Islanders, due to their usually darker skin.

  She watched as Zakia left the room. Her – I could understand her taking one of the Weapons of Protection. But Uncle Denzel? She jumped as someone in the building yelled ‘royal official’. That has to be Raneth! She glanced at Thane to see him grinning. That can’t be good!

  Chapter Nine

  Raneth

  It was odd, trusting Thane again. The last time Raneth had done so was three years before, and it still caused a prickly feeling up the back of his neck. I hope Thane doesn’t get any ideas. He shook his head at himself. Focus or get killed.

  He eyed the front of the city representative’s home. The building had six large, rectangular windows facing towards him, four of which stood proud of the rest of the walls and windows, creating bays within the building that were perfect for observing anyone approaching from more than just the front of the house. Fortunately, Thane was acting as a distraction, so Raneth had a short window of surprise to use if he was going to storm the place. He said I have to go through the front door too. A crash and bang, he decided, referring to the royal official term for storming a building hard and fast.

  As Raneth swept his focus across the building, he noticed that two Guardsmen stood in the two pronounced windows at the top of the house, each carrying a large weapon that took Raneth a moment to recognise. Southern Kingdom guns of some sort. The same they secure their Royal Air Force bases with. This just got harder. The front door wasn’t exactly unattended either. Three men stood like bouncers outside the building: two of them large, with Brethren jackets that barely contained their excess muscles, and one skinnier, with two short swords strapped to a weapons belt, his jacket revealing that he was a member of the Guardsmen.

  They’ve not got guns, but I need to get past the two that do, at least so that I can crash and bang that front door. Unless… Raneth eyed the ground-floor window nearest him, on the left edge of the building instead of the ones at the front. It wasn’t one of the more pronounced ones. It might be possible to creep up to the building if I go around the side and stick close to the wall, so the Guardsmen in the bay windows can’t see me. Then I just have to sprint the small distance to the door and knock out those three with my gift. It’s gonna be mostly my gift doing this. I can’t risk a Brethren catching me unaware with theirs. It’s gift versus gift until I find the Mening or Aldora.

  Raneth slowly advanced onto the house’s grounds, creeping in a semi-circle towards the side of the building where the garden started. The low brick wall allowed him to see into the garden with ease, and he leaned against it with an arm, listening to the Broken Crown members by the door as he eyed the side garden. He watched a Guardsman stroll along a path in the garden that circled in on itself around a large fountain. If he sticks close to the fountain, there’s a good chance he won’t notice me if I time this right. If there was another guard patrolling the section of garden he could see, they weren’t on show yet. Better go now while there isn’t one.

  Raneth glanced over his shoulder at the three Broken Crown members by the door; they would only be able to see him through the downstairs window, and they weren’t looking his way. The one in the nearest upper bay window wasn’t focused on him either. Looking good. Maybe avoid the door completely. Raneth vaulted over the wall and jogged over to the side window. He drew his sword and smashed through the glass panes, using the blade to knock out the slithers of glass jutting from the frame. He glanced to his left and spotted the Guardsman in the garden running towards him as they awkwardly withdrew their sword.

  Raneth shoved his free hand towards the Guardsman. An icicle sped through the air, pushed by white mist, and sliced into the guard’s chest. Raneth jumped through the window. A large dining table for twelve people stood on the other side of the wall. It was empty, but sheets of paper were scattered across its surface. They’ll have heard me. Have to keep moving now. He ignored the papers and sped to the door. Just hope she’s still here.

  He yanked the door open just as a Guardsman reached for the handle. Raneth headbutted him and then kicked his gut. The Guardsman stumbled to the floor and Raneth sliced his sword down into the man’s chest, then he turned, glancing towards the front door. The three bouncers were coming towards him. Oh-oh. Raneth dropped his sword and showed his palms to the two Brethren. Ice rushed out to greet them. One swept his hand across his face and a gust of wind knocked the ice into a wall, shattering it. Raneth eased back as he tried again, but again the man with the Common Gift of Air swept his attack away. OK, so that move’s out.

  Raneth grabbed his sword and ran at the three men. He slammed an elbow into the nose of the Guardsman who sped to intercept him before the Brethren could reach him. They’re competing. Raneth spat in the eye of the Brethren with the Common Gift of Air and smashed his free fist into the chin of the other Brethren as he raised his hands, palm out, towards Raneth. White mist swept from the Brethren’s hands, smashing into Raneth’s face and pricking his skin like a sheet of pins.

  Damn it, no! Raneth rubbed at his face, instinctively kicking out in front of him. His foot connected with something soft, and a groan erupted from one of the men. Raneth rubbed at his eyes a moment longer, adding his own white mist to the mist that had attached itself to his face. His mist scrubbed him clean so he could open his eyes and glare at the three men.

  The Guardsman had recovered and was reaching for his wrist. Raneth grabbed his hand and slammed his arm over his knee. The Guardsman cried out as his wrist cracked. Raneth sheathed his sword as the Brethren with the Common Gift of Air climbed to his feet, the other Brethren protecting him with his hands aimed at Raneth.

  The Bayre smiled. “Come on then,” he dared them.

  The Brethren’s head twitched to the side and he shoved his palms closer to Raneth. The Bayre jerked to the side as two tiny icicles swept at him. They continued down the corridor, slamming into the door that separated the corridor from the other side of the house. Raneth smiled. No mastery. He feinted a jab to the man’s left temple. The Brethren jerked to the sid
e, cutting off the fake jab as Raneth smashed his fist into his jaw. He winced as he heard the jaw snap, then he jerked back and threw an icicle into the throat of the other one. At last, he turned around.

  Bummer. The door had opened to reveal three more Brethren.

  OK, time to get creative. Raneth slammed his palms against the corridor walls. White mist swirled down the corridor from his chest, and more swept from his hands along the walls. It converged in front of the Brethren into one massive chunk of ice. With the ice wall in place, Raneth ducked into the room on the right, opposite the one he had come from. Two of the walls were covered floor to ceiling with piles of books left haphazardly on top of each other. They should invest in bookshelves. The Bayre carefully eased behind the stacks of books and waited, peering out at the door.

  The three Brethren entered. One of them must have the Common Gift of Fire, noted Raneth, otherwise they would have taken longer to get through that ice. He shoved a shoulder against the books immediately in front of him and they fell towards the three Brethren. Raneth jammed his shoulder against two more stacks and watched as the Brethren jerked back out of the room again. Raneth darted to the side of the door, withdrew two of the throwing daggers from his belt and waited. He ignored the speedy rise and fall of his chest, and focused on listening to the three Brethren in the corridor as they tried to figure out how to get back into the room without being caught out.

  “We have to smoke him out,” stated one. “We can’t let the Guardsmen get this win. Whoever this guy is, he needs to be used to teach the city a lesson.”