The Tomni'Tai Scroll (Book 1) (18 page)

“You have to trust that you did the right thing,” Karmt said quietly. Kelden turned a questioning gaze to him. “I can see the questions in your eyes,” Karmt explained with a shrug. “You question whether the lives you took were worth it; whether the end truly justifies the means.”

Kelden shook his head. “I have killed men before,” he countered. “It is never pleasant, but it has not been a problem.

“Bah,” Karmt groused. “Killing an enemy on the battlefield is different. You and I both know that what you did to save the queen was much more personal. You risked not only your life, but pieces of your soul.”

Kelden stood silently. “I did what I had to do,” he said flatly.

“Aye, that you did,” Karmt replied. “And I suspect you may have gotten along just fine had everything been over after you foiled Theodorus’ plans.” Karmt shook his head slowly and placed a hand on Kelden’s shoulder. “But, I suppose the new assignment you have been given has caused you to question things a bit more. Now that you know more is expected you wonder how far you will be asked to go for the so-called greater good of the kingdom.” Karmt pursed his lips and stroked his chin for a moment, squinting at Kelden and nodding silently to himself. “For what it’s worth, I believe the queen chose the right man for the job. You’ll recognize that in due time too, I suspect.”

“It isn’t an easy question to answer,” Kelden admitted.

“Nor should it be,” Karmt replied. “If it was, then you would probably not be the right man for the job.” Karmt pulled a parchment from his pocket and handed it to Kelden. “Cullen was supposed to hastily get you ready so I could give you this.”

Kelden opened it. The orders were clear, he was to find and bring to justice those responsible for the murder of two city guards, the murder of one merchant, and the theft of a merchant ship known as the ‘Isabell’. The queen was authorizing the use of three naval scout ships, and their crews to aid in Kelden’s investigation. At the bottom of the parchment was the name of a fisherman, who was waiting at the docks, who had said that he had seen where the ship was headed.

He shook his head. “I have other matters that need my attention here,” he said. “Queen Dalynn should realize this.”

Karmt nodded and shrugged. “What the orders don’t say is that the man murdered was a merchant by the name of Agorian, have you ever heard of him?”

Kelden shook his head. “Should I have?”

“Let’s just say that he is an acquaintance of the court. From time to time he offers valuable advice and… services of a unique kind.”

“I don’t follow,” Kelden said.

Karmt sighed and leaned in close. “Agorian was a mage. I can’t get into all the details now, but he occasionally fulfilled special missions for Queen Dalynn.”

“A mage?” Kelden asked incredulously. “How is that even possible?”

“That doesn’t matter now,” Karmt replied sternly. “What matters is that he has been slain and his ship has been stolen. We need to know who is responsible, and they must be dealt with.”

Kelden nodded. “I understand.”

“One more thing,” Karmt said. “The ship is equally important. Agorian was transporting something in the hold of his ship. Queen Dalynn is expecting this artifact to be returned along with the ship. This is of the utmost importance.”

“What am I looking for?”

Karmt shook his head. “It’s a cube. Don’t worry you’ll recognize it when you see it. You must hurry, track down the ship, and bring it back. The men who took the ship are sentenced to death. You know what you must do.”

Kelden nodded grimly and started for the docks, grabbing his black cloak as he exited the room. He wasn’t sure how he could get a message to Yeoj, but then he saw Cullen waiting for him just outside. The night air met him with a cold, salty breeze as he stepped out onto the street. He motioned for Cullen to join him as he began walking.

“Can you do me a favor?” Kelden asked.

Cullen said nothing. He just looked at Kelden with a questioning gaze.

 “Listen, I need you to go back to the main barracks and wait for Pendonov. He should be there before first light. I need you to tell him that Queen Dalynn is sending me out after a stolen ship. Can you do that?”

“Sure,” Cullen replied.

“Tell him that he should take charge of all of my duties until I get back.” Kelden looked into Cullen’s eyes. “Tell him that exactly.”

“Alright,” Cullen said. “I’ll tell him he takes over for you until you get back.”

“He takes charge of
all of my duties
,” Kelden emphasized. Cullen nodded again. “Alright, now go, I have work to do.” Cullen turned in the opposite direction and left.

Kelden sighed and wiggled the fingers in his left hand. They tingled and burned slightly. Maybe he should have simply introduced himself to Sebina like Yeoj had said, then he wouldn’t have been bitten by the rock-jumper. Either way, he felt the fool and his body reminded him of that fact every time he moved his fingers.

The rest of the walk to the dock was uneventful, but then again that was to be expected. It was nearly three in the morning and crimes were rare in this part of the city. It had not always been so, as Kelden well knew for himself.

Kelden’s early years before he was accepted into the Merchant Guard were actually spent as a city guard. He patrolled at night, when most of the crimes took place back then. As a result of this he had encountered many criminals.

As he walked through the streets, occasionally cupping his wound trying to hold the pain at bay, he recalled another close encounter. That particular occasion had been a life changing event that won him recognition from the queen, and ultimately led to his ascension to the Merchant Guard.

The night had been much like this one; dark, a cold breeze, and not too many people on the streets. Kelden had spied a man acting suspiciously in front of a jeweler’s shop. He walked by the man pretending not to notice. Then he snuck around the back of the store to investigate closer. Once at the rear entrance he had found the door was open, but it had not been forced open. The lock had been opened with its key. Kelden had slipped inside and found two hulking men with swords coercing a small wiry fellow to open a large safe. He presumed that the small man was the shopkeeper, and had been held against his will and forced to open the store.

Kelden smiled as he recalled how garishly he had faced those men. He simply walked in with his sword drawn and ordered them to drop to their knees. That was his way of handling things back then, bold, daring, and loud. The two men had turned on their heels expecting to see a large number of city guards, but their courage bolstered when they saw only Kelden. They both rushed him as the small shop keeper cowered in the fetal position on the floor. That was their last mistake. Kelden had disposed of them easily enough, but he had also made a mistake. He had forgotten about the third man that he had seen outside. As Kelden sheathed his sword and walked towards the shopkeeper, he heard the twang of a crossbow firing. He’d caught that bolt in his shoulder. Kelden had spun around and attempted to draw his sword, but the third man was already upon him. The two rolled on the floor and exchanged blows for a few seconds. Then a knife blade sliced across his stomach.

Kelden reached his hand over the old scar as he recalled the events. It had been one of his few mistakes, but luckily he had been able to correct the situation. After he grabbed the assailant’s hand, he forced the blade into the man’s chest, killing the criminal with his own knife.

As luck would have it, the wiry shop keeper turned out to be Queen Dalynn’s nephew. After the news got out about the brave guard who had saved the queen’s nephew, a royal escort was sent to invite Kelden to dinner with the queen. That night changed the course of his life. The queen conversed with him for several hours, beginning by expressing her gratitude for her nephew’s rescue. Gradually, the conversation progressed and the two of them learned quite a lot about each other. The queen asked Kelden many questions, and asked to hear of his home and family. Afterward, she spoke of her late husband, the king, and of her son.

Kelden made such a good impression upon the queen that she offered to make him an officer in the Merchant Guard. He, of course, had accepted. Through the years Kelden had seen many things, yet he always felt happy with his service. The Merchant Guard was not like serving in the army on some border patrol. The Merchant Guard was more personal, with interesting clients in need of protection to ensure their services and goods could reach the customers. Within a few months he rose through the ranks and was given investigations. They started out as basic burglary investigations, but over the years they grew more complex as his skills expanded. He had always felt satisfied upon closing his investigations, especially the more complicated they were. All of that changed with Theodorus’ execution.

Kelden had felt happy that the queen was safe, and knew he should feel fulfilled at its conclusion, but he didn’t. He had dealt with corruption before, it’s unavoidable for officers in the Merchant Guard, but this was far beyond anything he could have prepared for. It demoralized him, and made a mockery of the values he had struggled so hard to serve and protect. He was disillusioned with all of it. He was tired of the politics, the greed, and the betrayal. Yet, something propelled him forward, even as he was in the beginning stages of a new investigation that could very well cost him pieces of his soul, as Karmt had said earlier. He didn’t know what it was, but he could feel that something dark loomed over the horizon, and it was coming soon.

Kelden cast his thoughts aside as he neared the dock. He saw a man standing, speaking with two city guards. This was probably the fisherman. Kelden strode over to him and extended his hand in greeting.

“I presume you are Jacs?” Kelden asked.

“Yes sir, I am,” Jacs replied.

“Good. My name is Captain Kelden Ferryl. I have been assigned to this case. Could you please tell me what you saw tonight?”

“Yes sir, of course. I was out in the bay with my boat, I was fishing, and I saw a ship sail past me. At the time I didn’t think anything of it. I could tell from their course that they were headed to Bluewater.”

“Are you sure?” Kelden interrupted.

“Well, yes sir, where else would they be intending to get to by that type of heading? There isn’t anything else out that way. South by south-east gets you to Bluewater. I sailed the route myself as part of a merchant crew in my younger years.” The fisherman paused as he looked back toward the waters by the dock and rubbed his balding head. “Well, about an hour or so later I came in, I was getting chilled and weary, and I had already pulled a good haul of crabs. On my way in I saw a body floating in the waters. I pulled him into the boat to see if I could help him, but when I got him in I saw he didn’t have a head. So, I rowed to this dock hoping to find some guards… but what I found was these two dead guards. I ran around looking for help immediately.”

“You don’t seem to be overly excited about it,” Kelden pointed out.

The fisherman shrugged. “Before sailing with merchants, I fought along the borderlands. I’ve seen my share of blood.”

“He is right,” interjected one of the guards on the scene, “I heard him yelling for help and that is when my partner and I came running and found him, we put in a dispatch for help about an hour ago. Afraid that is all we know so far captain.”

“I see. So, an hour ago you put in a dispatch, and two hours before that is when you saw the boat leave, so now they have just over a three hour head start on us. Alright, well I will sail to Bluewater and see what I come up with. You two escort this man to his home.” Kelden turned to face Jacs. “Thank you sir, you are a fine citizen. Upon successful arrest of these culprits you shall be rewarded.” With that Kelden walked away briskly, heading towards the ships. He was anxious to make up for lost time and hurry off to Bluewater.

“Thank you kindly sir!” the fisherman called out as Kelden disappeared from view.

The Rangers had barely settled in to their dining hall when a pair of senior city guardsmen stood in the doorway. Ranger Diggs could see them fidgeting with their hands and nervously shifting their weight on their feet; something was terribly wrong.

“Well, don’t just stand there men, tell us what’s on your minds,” Diggs instructed them.

“Ranger Diggs, I have some bad news,” one of the men started.

“Where is Captain Lador, does he need to be here for this as well?” Ranger Jimik asked.

The two guards glanced at each other and shrugged.

“Out with it,” Diggs ordered. The other Rangers sat in silence around the table.

“After you left there were several attacks. The governor was assassinated, Lador was murdered, along with all of the dungeon inmates, and several patrolmen have been injured as well.”

“Have you any leads?” Diggs asked.

“You need to ask?” Ranger Gainer growled.

“This was clearly Kai’s doing!” Jimik put in.

“Let them finish!” Diggs yelled as he pounded a fist on the table. “They said all of the inmates were killed.”

“The governor’s servant gave us a description of the man who killed the governor, but I don’t think you will like it,” the second guardsman said.

Diggs folded his arms and arched his left brow.

“The servant said he saw a man matching Kai’s description standing over Governor Gandle’s body in the library at Governor Gandle’s manor,” the first guardsman said.

The second guardsman spoke up, directing his gaze at Jimik and Gainer. “Several patrolmen were attacked by Kai at the dungeon as well, shortly after Gandle’s body was discovered.”

The first guard nodded and wrung his hands. “After the fight in the dungeon, the patrolmen found Captain Lador’s body near the cells.”

“Khefir take that dog, I will eat his heart!” Jimik cursed.

“We have to find him,” Gainer hissed. “He must pay for this!”

Diggs brought his hands up to his face and pressed his fingertips into his forehead. “He will pay,” Diggs promised.

“You are in charge now, sir,” Redjak said from behind. “The rules are clear.” Redjak stepped forward and presented Diggs with the Ranger’s Charter, a small book with all rules governing the unit. “You are the senior-most Ranger, and you must now fill Captain Lador’s position.”

“Hail, Captain Diggs,” Jimik shouted quickly. The other Rangers followed suit.

“Who is acting governor?” Diggs asked.

Redjak shook his head. “Counselor Bhan is acting governor. He was Gandle’s senior counselor.”

Diggs nodded.

“This is a dark day,” another Ranger whispered. A hush fell over the dining hall.

Diggs thought for a few minutes before issuing any command. He looked over at the two guardsmen. “Alright, listen carefully. Send a patrol of ten men straight to Hart’s Bridge. I want them to get into the kingdom of Shausmat and make an inquiry after Kai. These men are licensed to kill Kai if necessary, but I would prefer him to be brought back alive.”

“There is something else you should know,” the first guard said.

Diggs arched a brow. “What else?”

“There have been attacks at Hart’s Bridge. After we sealed it, our men were slaughtered. They were brought back by a single survivor.”

“Kai,” Gainer spat.

“No,” the second guardsman was quick to put in. “This happened before Governor Gandle was slain, and before the attacks at the prison.”

“Then perhaps he has help,” Gainer said.

Diggs held up a stern hand, calling for silence. “What is the status of the bridge now?” he asked.

“Governor Gandle sent a unit of men out to reclaim it. We hold it now.”

“Very well, then send the additional patrol I have requested.”

“Yes sir,” the patrolman replied with a quick salute before he exited the hall.

“As for the rest of us, I want three Rangers to go to Kobhir to search for Kai there. Since we just escorted his sister to Kobhir, he may decide to go there. I want to make it clear that we will not harm or harass his sister. We are only going to look for Kai. Another three Rangers will go to Khatthun, and three more to Blundfish. I will remain here to assist Acting Governor Bhan in Rasselin until Queen Dalynn appoints a replacement. The remaining Ranger will search all of the small settlements and villages throughout Zinferth. We will not rest until Kai is brought back to this city, dead or alive.” Digg’s face grew cold. “Kai will pay.”

Jimik and Gainer stepped close to Diggs. Jimik spoke first. “I ask that we be allowed to hunt for Kai in Blundfish,” he said.

Diggs cocked his head to the side. “Why?”

Gainer poked the air with his finger. “If I was Kai, I would head south, for the sea.”

“He would reach the sea faster by going north,” Diggs countered.

“True, but then that makes going south to Blundfish the smart move,” Jimik deduced. “There are plenty of villages and forests to hide in along the mountains as he travels south. Then, he charters a ship to one of the Elven Isles and it would be hard to find him again.”

“What about Kobhir, to see his sister?” Diggs asked.

“Nah, he’s too smart for that,” Gainer said quickly. “He’d know that we would search there for sure.”

Diggs nodded. “Very well, you have my leave to go to Blundfish. Pick another Ranger to go with you.” Diggs then turned away from them and briskly walked out of the hall.

“When we find him, I aim to kill him,” Jimik told Gainer.

Gainer nodded. “It’s time to put the dog down.”

*****

Pendonov glanced around. Satisfied that no one had seen him duck into the alley, he slipped into the house across from Sebina and Jenedina’s home. He could hear muffled voices coming from upstairs. Pendonov moved lightly through the hall, careful not to make any noise as he slid a dagger out with his left hand and let his right hand hover over his sword. Cullen had just informed him about Kelden, so who was Yeoj talking with? A few ideas ran through Pendonov’s mind, none of them good.

As he reached the bottom of the stairs a strange odor wafted down to him from above. Pendonov raised an arm over his nose to filter the pungent aroma out of the air, but it did little to mask the scent. He pushed onward, not sure what to expect. Pendonov reached the top of the stairs, sticking to the wall where the floorboards were less creaky, and made his way down the upstairs hall to the room. He could hear the voices clearer now. There were two men. One was clearly Yeoj, but the second was unfamiliar.

“Thanks for your cooperation,” Yeoj said.

“This is a dangerous game you’re playing,” replied the stranger.

“You let me worry about that,” Yeoj scoffed.

The floor squeaked beneath Pendonov’s feet with a
creeeak
that would wake the dead.

“What was that?” the stranger asked. Pendonov noted the apprehensive tone.

Yeoj emerged from the room, crossbow leveled at Pendonov’s chest. Pendonov froze, searching Yeoj’s face to discern his motives. Yeoj held the crossbow for a moment, then winked and lowered the weapon.

“Didn’t expect to see you,” Yeoj said with that devilish grin. “Haven’t heard from Kelden either.”

“Kelden has been temporarily assigned to something else,” Pendonov replied pensively.

Yeoj glanced at Pendonov’s dagger and winked again as he slung the crossbow back over his shoulder. “You can put that away,” he said pointing to the dagger. “I caught one of the little worms and I have him in here. Been grilling him for a couple hours.”

“What?” Pendonov asked incredulously. “How did you?” Pendonov replaced his dagger into the sheath and followed Yeoj into the room. A man sat naked on the floor with his hands bound at the wrists behind his back, and his ankles bound in front of him.

“This is Frey,” Yeoj said as he motioned to the captive.

Pendonov said nothing as he took in the scene. Frey sat silently, with narrow set eyes shifting quickly between Yeoj and Pendonov. He had a few scars across his body, but no apparently recent injuries other than a few welts and bruises. Frey’s face, on the other hand, had probably seen better days. Pendonov realized what he smelled as soon as he noted melted patches in Frey’s beard and hair.

“You burned him?” Pendonov asked.

“Nah, just singed his hair a bit,” Yeoj replied with a shrug. “Wanted him to know who was boss.”

Pendonov turned on Yeoj and got right in his face. “We do not torture prisoners! Give this man his clothes at once. We are going to get him to a physician.”

“Who died and put you in charge?” Yeoj mocked. “He stays right where he is until we have the information we need.”

“No, Kelden said I was in charge until his return. You follow my orders,” Pendonov gruffed.

Yeoj shook his head. “No.” Yeoj walked over to Frey and knelt in front of the bound prisoner. Frey reflexively pulled his head back and tried to distance himself from Yeoj.

“I am ordering you to stand down,” Pendonov commanded.

Yeoj shook his head and pulled a knife from his boot. “The queen personally assigned me to this group,” Yeoj explained. “As far as I know, she doesn’t even know that Kelden asked you to be a part of it.” Yeoj looked back to Pendonov. “She assigned me personally,” he repeated. “Because I can get things done that people like you can’t.”

“Don’t do this,” Frey begged. “Please!”

Yeoj raised the knife up and lightly pressed its tip into the soft flesh just under Frey’s left eye. “You can look away if you like, Pendonov,” Yeoj offered. “But I am under the queen’s orders to eradicate this threat by any means necessary.”

“Kelden said I was in charge,” Pendonov said, though his voice was softer and less confident.

“No,” Yeoj replied smugly. “I tried your way. Kelden couldn’t even keep track of a woman, and you have been sitting on your arse while I have done the real work. I caught this man sneaking to the house across the street. I captured him before he could get the women, and I am the one who has been working with him for hours digging up the information we need. Since I am the only one producing results, then I will be in charge. Take it up with the queen if you like, though I doubt she will support you considering you are not an official member of this unit yet.” Yeoj twisted the knife and opened a small hole in Frey’s skin.

“Gah!” Frey yelled as he jerked his body back and flopped onto the floor, his skin slapping against the wood. “Stop, please!”

Pendonov moved forward, his hand reaching for his sword. Yeoj stood up, placing the heel of his boot in Frey’s spine, just below the man’s neck, and mashing the prisoner’s face into the floor. Then, Yeoj winked and smiled at Pendonov.

“Get out,” Yeoj growled. Pendonov stopped in his tracks and looked from Frey to Yeoj, and back to Frey. “Get out,” Yeoj repeated. “You don’t want to see what I have to do now.”

“No, please, stop him!” Frey mumbled into the floorboards.

Yeoj patted the air with his left hand, and gently tossed his knife up and over to Pendonov. Pendonov caught the blade and looked back to Yeoj perplexed by what was happening.

“Go now, Pendonov,” Yeoj commanded. “I am going to get the information we need, by any means necessary.” Yeoj winked again and twisted the heel of his boot.

“No, pleeef, dundo dis!” Frey begged with his mouth smushed into the floor.

Pendonov nodded slowly and started for the hallway. “Do what you must,” he said, hoping that this spark of trust wasn’t misplaced.

Yeoj cocked his head and gave a slight nod to Pendonov. “Oh I will cut the truth out of him if I have to.” Yeoj pulled a spoon from his pocket and placed a finger over his mouth before motioning for Pendonov to leave.

Pendonov grinned and let his boots thump loudly as he walked to the hall and then pretended to leave. Once in the doorway, Pendonov marched in place, letting his footsteps grow quieter to give the illusion he was abandoning Frey to his fate. He then turned and watched as Yeoj flipped the spoon over, holding it by the bowl of the spoon and then knelt down.

“All you had to do was tell me when the others were coming,” Yeoj said softly. Frey tried to squirm. Yeoj placed a hand on Frey’s back. “Now I am a bit rusty, so I apologize if this hurts more than usual. I haven’t done this for a while.”

Frey wrestled his face free from the floor and tried to wriggle away, but Yeoj had a firm hold on him. “Please, I don’t know anything,” Frey said. “I told you, I was just supposed to drug the two women and leave. I’m not involved any more than that, I swear!”

“Pity,” Yeoj said. “That isn’t good enough to save you.” Yeoj lowered the spoon handle down to Frey’s spine, just above the lumbar region and started to press in.

“Wait! I’ll talk!” Frey shouted. “Vermut and Galion, that’s who you’re looking for. They hired me to drug the women then Vermut was going to come with three of his men at sundown and pick up the women.”

“Who are the other men Vermut was going to bring?” Yeoj pressed.

“I don’t know their names,” Frey squealed. “I only spoke with Vermut and Galion. I never met the others. That’s how they operate, they keep us separate.”