“Hop in back.” The driver gesturing toward the back of the wagon train.
“Thanks a bunch.”
Hitching a ride on a four wagon merchant caravan heading toward the West Gate. Autumn had more than finally caught up, the breeze coming in especially crisp once the sun had gone down. The two of us squeezing in to take a seat across from each other in the back of the last wagon, very glad to be off our feet after the long day. The last few hours especially harrowing, chased away from the Spider Temple as the sun had started to set, followed by a low speed pursuit with our looping flight taking us west away from town and through the northern haunted forest. We'd finally managed to get back to the road only a few minutes ago.
The gently rocking lantern above illuminating the other passengers and casting shadows on the road rolling out behind the lumbering train. One merchant and two guards, no emblems on their cloaks. The symbol on the crates surrounding and supporting us, two triangular shapes resembling a ship's sails, and a thick, slightly curved line underneath. Windward Trading Co., the second largest merchant group operating out of Lumeer behind Four Corners.
Our full packs making metal on metal clanks when placing them at our feet. The guards taking note of my hatchet and the large amount of dried blood on my cloak and armor underneath. Some of it mine, most of it not.
“Really appreciate you guys letting us on. I'm surprised you're coming in so late.”
“We weren't originally planning on it,” says the merchant, “but we decided to push through after we heard rumors of something going on in town. Back at the fort they said everything in the harbor went up in flames. Is there anything to that?”
“I don't know about everything, but a bunch of the ships are out of commission. My understanding is Stormhawk is responsible for it.” The two guards glancing at each other. Grim. “At least that's what people are saying.”
“That's good to hear,” says the merchant, but then realizing exactly what he'd said quickly adding, “oh, I mean it's not a good thing, exactly, but it's good to know we're not making the trip for no reason. And if all those ships did burn, there's probably a lot of merchandise sitting in warehouses needing to go out.” Pointing his finger in the direction of the two guards. “I'm not holding what your House may have done against you while we were gone, but you may not want to put on your colors when we get back to town. Get a feel for things and be ready for us to head back out sooner as opposed to later.”
Upon hearing they were Stormhawk my hand dropping to rest on my hatchet. As members of the House they're, by definition, targets of my vendetta. But doing so right here and right now would cause problems with Windward. It'd also undermine the propaganda currently in the process of spreading. Further complicating things, they've been gone and haven't the faintest clue what's been happening, and shared no blame as a result. And it had been a long day. Removing my hand from the axe, clenching and relaxing it a few times before letting it rest on my lap. Harper watching my struggle.
“You guys are in Stormhawk, huh?” she says, being casual. “Why do you suppose they did it?”
“That's assuming that's what happened,” says one.
“Let's assume that is what happened,” she says.
The two glancing at each other again. Their uncomfortable silence amplified by the creaking and movement of the wagon.
“Dunno,” says the other, “we've been out of town for the past couple cycles and nothing like that was even hinted at.”
“Maybe they're making a power play.” Everyone's attention on me. “I mean, they were part of that plot to knock out all the guilds about a year back, and they're allied with Koln, and have been for a couple months at least. This could be their next step.”
“With Koln?” The merchant glancing at the two guards.
“Uh, yeah,” says one, caught on the spot, “for a little bit now.”
“I guess it depends whose ships they burned. Your guys,” pointing at the merchant, “probably allying with Four Corners. Four Corners, maybe they got a deal with you guys. Mostly independent, probably with both you guys, squeezing out the little guy. And if everything burned indiscriminately, they probably just got real arrogant. In any case, I'd expect whatever fees they're charging for these two will go up soon.” To make up for a one hundred thousand silver ransom.
“Could be,” the merchant says, after a moment, noncommittal.
“That's assuming that's what happened,” the one repeating.
Giving him my own noncommittal gesture. Who's to say it didn't? Sitting in silence as the wagon continued to roll toward town.
***
Halfway between wakefulness and sleep, leaning against the merchant sitting next to me and then the wagon coming to a stop. Harper across the way also leaning against the guy next to her. Both of them much closer to sleep. Stretching as the merchant stood up.
“Hey Julie,” nudging her with my foot, “we're here.”
Grabbing our packs and thanking them for the ride. At one of the warehouses in roughly the center of the merchant district.
“You want to get some food?” she says.
“Sure, then after that we need to go to the bathhouse. I'd say pawnshop, but they're closed right now.”
“There's a bathhouse?” The girl then shaking her head at her own question. “Why?”
“A couple reasons, but if you've never been you really should go. You'll see what I mean when we get there.”
Walking into the bathhouse after grabbing a quick bite. Harper's brow furrowing, then quirking an eyebrow at me. Both of us nodding at the two Pact members sitting at the front desk before heading to the locker room.
“You're actually getting undressed?” she says, in a stage whisper, furtively glancing left and right. Several other women also here getting changed.
“I'm taking a bath. I'm filthy. And those people out there can clean our clothes.”
Heading into the open air bath after a thorough rinse with cold water. Surprisingly busy. Well, it's chillier today, probably gets busier as it gets colder. Walking over to the hottest pool and getting in. Harper getting in next to me, still taking in the sights. Starting to relax, closing my eyes and giving my limbs a slow stretch.
“So we're really just taking a bath?” she says, after a few minutes.
“Right now.” Opening an eye. Her demon floating in the water next to her. “There's something else we've got to do after, but right now I'm beat. That wagon ride was a double edged sword, but it was nice to sit the whole way back. Is your little guy doing okay?”
“Sassafras started begging to come out as soon as we got in.”
Relaxing and stretching some more, the stress of the very long day unwinding and my mountain of anxieties almost forgotten. Ten minutes later both of us toweling dry and heading back to the locker room. Getting our claim tickets and freshly laundered clothing. Starting to get dressed and several footsteps approaching from the side.
“Macarthy,” the voice saying in that tone reserved for especially awful things. Maggot covered garbage. Drowned, bloated corpses. The lukewarm dregs at the bottom of a coffeepot. The really bad stuff.
With a hello like that is it even worth turning to look? Glancing to my other side and Harper meeting my eyes. Looking past me. What could even- my pipe. That's the missing piece right there, that's the key to elevating the whole bathing experience. That would have put me in the perfect relaxed state to deal with this. Are we even allowed to smoke? Didn't see anyone else doing it but there are no signs forbidding it. Probably more of a faux pas.
“There's no use pretending, Macarthy.”
“Are you sure about this?” says another voice.
Turning my head in their direction. That one looks familiar, but the three of her friends, all fanned out, less so. And no emblems to help me out.
“Who are you and have I done anything to you?” Undoubtedly, at some point. “Recently.” Underscoring that last word with my hand.
“Don't play dumb,” says the first. “If I'd known that was you a couple cycles back I wouldn't have hesitated to kill your wolf.”
Haven. That's who she is. “Yours seemed to like him.” That definitely wasn't the right thing to say. “Sorry, I realize you have a good reason for confronting me, but is this really where you want to try and get some revenge?” Using my underscoring hand for additional emphasis. “I'm not really in the mood to ruin your night. Turn this into a bloodbath.”
All of them just looking at me now, much less sure of themselves than moments earlier. Where'd all that bravado go? Three of them frozen in place at my approach and the other one starting to back away with alarmed look.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
“I guess you've heard, but it looks like I'm on your team now. What do you say we try and all play nice? Get a fresh start. The name's Lucy, nice to meet you.”
Sticking out my hand. No one taking it.
“Macarthy,” the Ranger's voice trembling, possibly in anger, “you shameless pervert. Leave that girl alone and don't ever come back here again.”
“Lucy, who are they?” Harper leaning against the locker while putting on her socks.
The one who'd backed away reaching into a pocket, pulling something from it and then throwing it. Diving away, the small piece of spider webbing she'd thrown expanding into a much larger web, hitting the middle of where we'd been talking, catching the entirety of one of my legs, the other foot and one arm up to my elbow, leaving me semi hanging from the lockers. The Ranger and the other members of Haven in worse condition, completely blindsided and covered in sticky webbing, stuck to the floor lockers. The other people in the locker room who'd been trying to ignore our little drama turning their attention to us.
“Livy,” says one of the webbed ones, “what's the matter with you?”
“Olivia, I swear,” says the other, “when I get out of this-”
“Mmm mmm,” the Ranger saying, her face covered.
“Sorry,” says the Druid, walking into her own web unhindered and trying to free the Ranger's mouth. “But I had to. I didn't believe it before, but that's definitely Macarthy. That creepy smile. She said she was going to turn this into a bloodbath.”
“I said I didn't want to.”
“It's clear what you meant.” Managing to open a hole in the web covering the Ranger's mouth to let her breathe, then glaring at me.
“Lucy, who are these people?” says Harper. Still getting dressed and clearly enjoying the show.
“I think they're all from Haven. Could you cut me out of this?”
“Sure.” Reaching into the locker and rummaging around.
“No, don't do that!” Olivia yelling, completely beside herself. “You're being fooled, she's only using you. That's Macarthy.” Jabbing her finger in my direction.
“Yeah, I know.” Harper starting to crack up at the girl's barely controlled panic. “There's never a dull moment around you, is there?”
“Not recently.”
“You know? Hold on, you're in league? Or, wait, maybe that's what it is.” Her eyes darting back and forth between us. Reaching into her pocket again. “I can't let you free this monster.”
“Livy,” says one of the ones in the web, “knock it off.”
“You know I'm right.”
“Olivia,” says the other one, “shut up.”
“But it's Macarthy. Why are you both looking at me like that?”
“You've got something on your face. So stop it.”
The girl getting even more upset, very close to making a very stupid mistake.
“Livy,” the Ranger saying sharply, but then moderating her tone, “please help me, I can't see.”
The Druid giving me a foul look but then using her fingers to start widening the hole she'd made. Revealing a nose, one pale blue eye and then the other. The Ranger taking note of the fissure drawn on the girl's cheek, eye to mouth. Harper pulling out one of the knives we'd collected during the day, a metallic ritual dagger with a blood groove on the blade and spider on the cross guard. The knife easily slicing through the sticky webbing, freeing me. Getting to my feet and picking off some of the pieces still stuck.
“What'd you do to make her so angry?” said Harper.
“I got into a thing over at Haven some months back. That's why you're so upset at me, right?”
“That's part of it,” says Olivia. But not all of it. Sharing a glance with Harper. The other girl not liking our looks and starting to back away into the relative safety of her web. Not allowing it. Grabbing one of her arms with the shield, the flash of sound and light punctuated by my malicious grin. The three still stuck in the webbing only now fully realizing their predicament. Struggling to break free and calling for help. The bystanders back to watching out of the corner of their eyes, or doing their best to ignore it.
“How much are you going to need?” Returning the knife to Harper, hilt first.
“Very little.”
Yanking Olivia, dragging her out of the web step by step with the shield.
“Julie, she may not be the best choice. Hey, you,” giving Olivia's cheek a gentle pat, “who's the most senior member of the House here?”
Opening her mouth, but nothing coming out. Funny, the shield should only be stopping her from moving, not from speaking. Shrugging at Harper.
“I am,” the bound Ranger says. “Leave her alone. She doesn't know anything.”
“You've got a great senior. You owe her. I'll release you but I'm going to need you to do me a favor.”
“What do you need?” Olivia steeling herself.
“Those towels there, I want you to lay them out so we can walk on the web. And then I'll let you all go. I wouldn't try anything else, if I were you.”
“I won't.”
“Good.” Releasing her and watching her put the towels down.
“What do you want to know?” says the Ranger. Mainly focusing at me, but her eyes periodically glancing at Harper as she gets closer.
“I'm not going to ask you anything. Julie is going to work her magic.”
“You're an Augur?” says the Ranger. “Ask away, I have nothing to hide.”
“Augur? I'm not that.” Harper raising the knife. “I need some of your blood.”
Sharp intakes of breath and undisguised fear flitting over all of their faces. Seems like they're more afraid of her than they are of me. Perfectly understandable. The knife touching the Ranger's cheek, but only a small poke. Harper starting her cryptic utterings, full of harsh consonants and discordant beats. Studying the substance on her finger, rubbing it between two and pulling apart. Then bringing it to her mouth for the smallest taste. Letting out an amused giggle moments later.
“You're so nervous,” she says, “and you hate her so much it's incredible. It's bordering on irrational. Seeing her sent you though the roof. Why though?” Her tongue lightly flicking out. “Hmm. You didn't expect to see her here, you don't think she belongs here, her mere presence is offensive. No, it's more than that, you never expected to see her at all and that's why you're so upset now.”
Hadn't mentioned that to her, that Lane had said there'd been a discussion about what to do with me. Haven was probably in the torture me over and over camp. Maybe even the leading voice for it.
“It's tough to see, Lucy, her blood's like this knotty ball of insecurity and indignation. She feels unappreciated. She thinks her boyfriend's cheating on her. I think she may be cheating on him. She hates her job out there, but who doesn't?” Stopping. “You don't, actually. You're in a different category, you're very...” Chopping the edge of one hand into the open palm of her other several times. “Focused. At least out in the field.” Muttering to herself now. “But different in town. I should study that. This whole thing is more fuzzy than not, and what it does show is overly colored by emotion. Maybe necessarily colored by it.”
Everyone in the room staring at her. During her talk she'd absentmindedly touched her face with the bloody finger.
“Julie, you've been an enormous help.” She did a reading on me and stuck around after. That's fairly gratifying. Must've been last cycle - wouldn't have seemed quite so put together today. “I realize you all have legitimate grievances against me. Please tell them that what happened wasn't personal, the job got way out of control and because of that I'm willing to let you all go and overlook your House's recent indiscretion with Stormhawk.” Fighting two Houses at once is more than enough. Overextended, as is. “Tell them I'd much rather make amends. If they decide they want to escalate then tell them what happened was only an opening salvo and to expect no mercy.”
Turning around and getting dressed. Listening to the three webbed idiots bitch at the non webbed idiot. Getting on my cloak and someone's hand poking my arm.
“Excuse me,” says Olivia.
“Yes?”
“If you want us to relay your message, if you really want to demonstrate some good faith, could I borrow a knife to cut them out?”
“No.” Holding up my hand to stop her reply. “I'm letting you go, but there are consequences for what you did. You did a smart thing, but you did it poorly. It was still a better idea than walking up to me and telling me to leave. Maybe they had real plan and you messed it up, but if that's the case they should've told you about it first. That'll dissolve relatively soon, anyway.” Looking over at Harper. “Ready?”
Leaving the locker room and heading to the front desk. Waiting a moment for the coast to clear.
“You want to see something that's going to blow you mind?”
“Today's been pretty wild. Let's go for broke.”
“Give me your hand.” Squinting her eyes at me. Opening and closing my hand. C'mon. Grabbing my hand. About to head toward the secret hallway leading toward the secret room and then a group coming in the front door. Giving us a look. Using my other hand to wave cheerily at them. Harper turning beet red.
“Are you just messing with me?”
“Hold on, hold on.” Watching them wander off. “Okay let's go.”
“Why are we going this way, there's nothing over-” Stunned silence as we enter the corridor. “Was this always here?”
“Like your little guy, same principle. Now that you've seen it you know it's here and you can't go back to when you couldn't see.” Releasing her hand. Activating the shield for light and entering the empty barren room with the unpainted walls. Something tickling the back of my neck, a slight feeling of unease. Looking behind us down the corridor but nothing there. Shrugging it off.
“This is like a serial killer's hideout,” says Harper.
“It gets better.”
Continuing through the empty room and into the shower room. One single shower head with a pull chain. Nothing else.
“Whatever I did to you, I'm real sorry. This is ultra spooky.”
“I'll let you do the honors.” Gesturing at the pull chain.
Harper reaching up her hand. Psyching herself up. “Okay, okay.” Grabbing the chain and giving a pull.
“AHHHHHH” Deactivating the shield and plunging us into darkness. My feigned scream in terror causing her to scream in terror. And then losing it, laughing uproariously. Reactivating the shield to reveal her panicked face.
“You fucking bitch.” Hitting me with her hand. Blocking and dancing away from the rest of her hits.
“Okay, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.” Glaring at me. “Pull the chain again.”
“I'm not doing it.”
“I'm sorry I'm messing with you, but it's part of the experience. This is actually important. For real this time.”
“For real?”
“For real.”
Reaching her hand up again and grabbing hold of of the chain. Pulling. Nothing happening. Frowning at me. Glancing left and right. Giving her a hurry it up already motion. Harper letting out a sigh and giving the chain a third pull. The floor beneath our feet dropping out, plunging us into the darkness below.