Chapter 15

Smoked river trout and darkened rye bread lay steaming on the dining table. Caine had already seen to fetching breakfast from the local market.

I stretched my arms out until I felt my back make a satisfying click. “Morning,” I yawned.

“Did you sleep well?” Caine asked, salting his plate.

“Like a baby. I have to give it to the city men, they know comfort. It was the smell of the fish that woke me in truth.”

“Well, I’m glad it did,” Caine got from his seat and limped to his desk. He picked up an envelope and then returned to his food. He held the envelope between his two fingers.

“This is for you. It’s a letter from Raina. One of her underlings dropped it off this morning,” he tilted his head, “how is your reading coming along? Or would you prefer if I read it to you?”

“Go ahead,” I said, I pulled myself up from the feathered mattress and made my way to the dining table. I seated myself opposite Caine.

He opened the envelope carefully, and cleared his throat, “Dear Jeb-of-dear-hill-and-low-grass. We’d like to thank you for yesterday's actions. Because of this, you have been formally invited to witness today’s council meeting. Please refrain from being late and please come alone. Regards. Raina.”

Caine smirked, “It seems you have become somewhat of a Mev-With-Bacran-Fangs after yesterday’s little brother.”

I dismissed his words with a gesture, “I’m no Bervian myth. I didn’t do anything really; it was more that brute Heral that they seem to love pairing me with. He’s the one that should take the credit.”

“Still, for them to invite you to one of their meetings you must have impressed them. I have been scribing for Raina this whole time and she still doesn’t trust me with anything but basic logistics.”

“Logis-what?”

“Logistics, it means when... never mind, my point is that she knows I’m capable of doing more. Yet she keeps me to simple tasks that I can now do in my sleep. It’s frustrating.”

I took a bite of my trout, “You needn’t worry, your time will come. From what I hear you have also made your own impressions. You're well-liked.”

“I suppose,” He said.

“It will come, brother, trust me. Look what we’ve both achieved since being here. Since before being here also. We are survivors’ Caine; we always have been.”

“Not bad for some no-good Klings,” Caine had a hint of a smile.

“Exactly.”

Caine nodded but still played with his food.

“Is there anything else bothering you?” I asked.

He was quiet, staring into his plate as if the food might have the answers. “I think I just miss home,” he said finally.

I had a sinking feeling in my stomach whenever home was mentioned. No good news was coming from the region and it hurt more than I’d like to admit. The home we knew was lost and we were never going back.

“How’s your leg today?” I asked, after a long pause.

“Better than yesterday, not as good as the day before.” Caine wasn’t completely lame, but the beating he took six months ago had refused to leave him. He now walked with a permanent limp and it bothered him. Ottom will pay one day, I thought. I broke off a bit of rye bread.

*

The council chambers were at a part of the crypts I had never been to before. Ben had given me directions from the training halls and even then, I had gotten lost a number of times. It was an easy thing to do if you didn’t know your way around. The winding dark halls went on for what seemed like miles and the Mards had never seen it fit to put up any sort of signage. I now stood in front of a foreboding wooden door that looked out of place with the rest of the stonework. It was newer, sturdier, similar to the doors of prestigious buildings on the surface.

I banged the brass knockers and a thumping sound echoed along the corridor.

The door opened slowly.

Behind the door was a man, short in stature with a hard face. He was covered in a light green cloak that hid the entirety of his body from the neck down. I had seen him around the crypts before, but we had never spoken. In fact, I had never seen him speak with anyone.

“It’s the Bervian,” he grumbled slowly. His deep voice didn’t match his size and it surprised me. He stepped to the side to let me in.

“You’re early,” Anna said with a hint of a smile on her face.

The room consisted of an oval table made of pure stone that protruded straight from the flooring as if it had been sculpted. The chairs were also stone slabs that were moulded into the ground. Raina was at the far end with a book in hand idly flicking through its pages.

Anna was seated to her right, leaning back on the stone chair with her feet propped on top of the table. “Welcome to the council chamber Jeb.” She said, “This is where the business is done. Every plan, every account, and every report flows through this room at some point. Feel honoured that you have been invited,” she spoke with a hint of sarcasm. “The man behind you is Mannis. I’m sure you’ve seen him around.”

I looked at him and nodded.

He remained straight-faced.

I went to take a seat.

“I don’t think so,” Raina said, “Only senior members sit at the table, you’ll be standing today.”

I acknowledged it with a quaint smile and stood behind Anna’s seat.

There was a long silence.

Anna put her hands behind her head and hummed an unintelligible tune. Raina kept to her book pretending not to notice either of us.

I felt awkward standing there, unsure of what to do with my hands or whether I should try to make conversation. If any of the others felt the same way, they’re faces didn’t show it.

Eventually, there was a knock at the door. Mannis opened it, and a man entered.

I had never seen him before.

“Greetings Raff,” said Raina.

“How goes it?” he said, taking a seat next to Raina’s left. He sat down relaxedly, resting an arm on the back of the stone chair like he was at a banquet. He was dressed in all-black leather that looked thick and padded. In the daylight, his attire would have stuck out like a sore thumb. But at night, he would have blended with the darkness. His brown, greying hair was tied back to a ponytail, and he had a golden hooped earring in one ear.

“All is well,” Raina said.

The man eyed me up and down, “Who’s he?”

“One of mine,” Anna said, “Raff this Jeb, the Bervian.”

Raff gave me a curious look for a moment. As if he knew something about myself that I didn’t know already. Then he started inspecting his nails.

Shortly after, there was another knock.

Mannis opened up the door to a woman this time. She was petite. Not much taller than a child. She wore a grey hood that shaded most of her face in darkness, however, this time, her green eyes shone through like emeralds through a cave. It was the woman who nursed Caine back to health. I hadn’t seen her since that awful day. No one acknowledged her as she entered and for a moment, I thought I was the only one that could see her.

“You remember Alia?” Anna said.

“Y,yes,” I stuttered.

The same feeling came over me that I felt before. The feeling of her presence. It was like a high-pitched tone just behind the ears that wasn’t really there.

“There’s no point in trying to talk to her because she won’t respond... isn’t that right Alia!” There was silence and Raff smirked.

“See, I told you.”

The woman took a seat one over from Anna’s right. She maintained a stiff posture whilst staring blankly at the stone table. I couldn’t work her out. Why and how, did someone like that become a council member?

Before I could ponder on it, there was another knock. Mannis opened the door. The two men were in conversation with one another and ignored Mannis completely.

“As I said, I want him, and I’ll pay for him. Think about it.”

Ottom… and another, appeared in the doorway. I barely noticed the scathing look the fat man gave me because his companion shocked me to my very spine. Heral had mentioned his boss before. He mentioned how he looked… different.

I was looking at something inhuman.

Coarse dark hair stuck to the entirety of its face. It had a black snout instead of a nose and Its eyes were a dim orange and cat-like. Its ears were upright, like a dog's, and its mouth had two jutting fangs that stopped at the base of its chin. The thing scratched its neck upon eyeing me with a pawlike hand that had black claws the lengths of knives. For a moment I had an urge to bolt, to run past and out of the crypts, but I restrained myself.

I had heard of beings like this before. Beings from across the desert, but like most things you hear on the hills. You assume their myths.

“Who’s he?” The beast asked. The tone of his voice made me uncomfortable, it was husky, almost a growl.

“More like what’s he doing here?” Ottom said.

“I invited him to stand in,” Anna replied evenly.

Ottom grunted and then took his seat next to Raff. The beast-man stood still. He maintained his gaze on me. I tried my best not to make eye contact but couldn’t help myself. He felt like a predator, and I felt like prey.

“Take a seat, Marken,” said Raina firmly, “Anna requested his invitation and I accepted it.”

The beast looked me up and down, “Bervian aye? The one who stopped those southern boys? Hm, he doesn’t look like much.”

“He isn’t,” Ottom said, “it was more Heral than this one. Which is why I want him off you,”

The… thing called Marken remained where he was, peering at me deeply, “You don’t like the way I look boy?” he said with a low growl.

I didn’t say anything and hoped to Henralta that he didn’t notice my trembling hands.

“Please stop antagonizing our guest Marken and take a seat. There is too much to discuss.”

He eased his gaze and turned his lips into what looked like a grin, but it could have just as well been a frown. He took a seat next to Ottom.

He would look around the room aimlessly for the most part, but every so often he would lock eyes with me. He would stare at me, unblinking, focused. Curios. Like a cat playing with its food. It made me shudder inside.

*

Time passed slowly. We were waiting on another two members of the council according to Anna, although there were three empty seats.

“The third seat is where Gerert used to sit,” she said with a bored tone before I even asked the question. “There is an opening for a seat at the table now that he’s gone, but we’re yet to decide on who will take it.”

“Maybe we should replace two seats while we’re at it.” Ottom interjected, “Why is Dak always late? Ruland is understandable, duty runs over. But Dak, Dak has no excuse.”

No one replied to his complaint, but Marken growled in what sounded like idle agreement. I suspected that it wasn’t the first time Ottom had complained about such a thing.

A moment later, Mannis opened the door. The man in the doorway was dressed as a city guard, with mail and plate, and a sword at his hip.

He stood rigid, upright. Like a guard should, “I apologize for my lateness. We had a brawl outside the Corkscrew Innwhich ended up in a murder. I had to settle everything down before I could get away,” he said.

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He was tall and thin, with a scraggly ginger beard and a long, pointed nose.

“The Corkscrew eh? Gang-related?” asked Raff.

“Woman-related,” The city guard said, he then looked my way but said nothing.

“Ruland this is Jeb, he’s one of mine and he’s sitting in today,” said Anna.

Ruland stayed quiet and took his seat between Anna and Alia. He paid me no attention at all.

*

“Finally,” said Ottom as the final council member lingered in the doorway. A short man with a stout, bloated belly. He had a black shaggy beard that matched his eyes and he wore a faded green bandana that was pulled tight over his head. It was only now that I remembered who he was. Dak was the man Anna and I met in the sewer upon my escape from the dungeons. It was the same day I was reunited with Caine.

“And where have you been?” Ottom snapped.

“Brothel,” he said carelessly.

“And you couldn’t cut that short?” Ottom asked.

“If I’ve paid for an hour, then I’m getting an hour.”

“Oh, and I bet your wife would approve of that logic.”

The stout man frowned, “what are you a priest?”

I notice another smirk on Raff’s face. Raina looked up from her book, and Ruland, the city guard, shook his head.

“No,” Ottom said, “I’m a Mardman, a leading one at that, and so are you. You're expected to turn up to these meetings on time.”

“Well, I’m here now,” Dak said sarcastically, “and it’s now you who's wasting time by complaining.”

Raina put the book aside, “We’ll deal with this later. Take a seat Dak, we have business to discuss.”

He sat opposite Raina, which was between Marken and Alia. He saw me and I noticed the recognition in his eyes. He smiled showing a set of silver teeth.

Raina stood and then nodded to Mannis.

The man bowed and then left the room. Shutting the door firmly behind him.

“Now that we are all here, I’d like to welcome our sit-in today. As most of you already know this is Jeb, the Bervian who stopped a few Helms from robbing us yesterday. Because of this Anna has asked him to attend today’s meeting which I have accepted. Any objections?”

Ottom went to stick up his hand but then thought against it.

“Good. Then let’s get to it. In the early hours of the morning, Ruland laid a letter on my desk from Doge Rolof. As you are aware, this isn’t regular protocol, I usually receive updates from him at the end of the week in the evening. Now, what I’m about to announce is of the utmost secrecy and cannot be discussed with anyone outside the Mards,” she took a breath, “The Sharian assassin known as Heblah-Alin-Toid has entered the city.”

I felt the tension in the room almost immediately. Raff stopped inspecting his nails and leaned forward, “Heblah? Is he here on business?”

“That remains to be seen, although someone of his renown entering this city. It would be stupid to assume he wasn’t.”

The council members nodded in agreement.

“And you’re sure it’s him?” asked Marken.

Ruland cleared his throat, “early reports say that a guard spotted him on the back of a merchant’s wagon coming through the Hell’s gate. The guard recognised him due to his bounty symmetry. Another three guards then confirmed the first guard’s report. We are sure it’s him.”

“Through the Hell’s Gate, you say. That puts him in our territory,” Ottom said.

“And on our very doorstep,” said Raina, “He is staying at the Fleet Tavern.”

Ottom grinned “So, he wishes to parley.”

Raina nodded, “You see why the Doge has sent this our way.”

“Indeed,” said Marken.

I looked over at Dak who out of the people seated, seemed the least intrigued.

“If he is here on business, who are his targets?” asked Raff.

“Good question,” Said Raina, “Earlier this morning I had Anna do some finding out about potentials and we have it down to three... Anna if you please.”

Anna sat forward in her chair.

“Yesterday at around noon, the Farian general known as Atinosh entered the city with a small company of soldiers. Atinosh, who has been in the service of King Leopolf for more than a decade has been rumoured to arouse suspicion with the king as of late.”

Marken had a natural low growl when he spoke, “And what do the rumours say?”

Anna ran her hand through her hair, “The general has had two decisive victories at the Namin Pass in recent years. Against both The Namin and Republic of Mirna... He and his armies have answered a decade-long question. The question being, “Who controls the centre of Piranlia?” Because of this, he has become somewhat of a legend to the people of southern Faria. Although likely false, there is talk of peasant folk, and local bureaucrats swearing loyalty to him, rather than their king.”

“So Leopolf is threatened?” asked Raff.

“If the rumours are true.”

“If that was the case, why send him to Wannihiem? Surely this is the worst city to perform an assassination, especially someone so high ranking,” said Ottom.

“That is exactly it. Atiniosh’s arrival at Wannihiem was completely unexpected. Although he arrived on horseback, the rest of his company arrived on foot. The company was also surprisingly small for someone of his notoriety,” said Anna.

“You think he’s fleeing?” asked Raff.

“The signs suggest so, but nothing is concrete. Another thing to be mindful of is that Atinosh is staying at a private residence in Journey Square.”

“Which puts him in close proximity to the Fleet Tavern,” Said Ottom.

“Exactly,” said Anna.

Marken let out a breath, “The boot fits. It means Heblah is close enough for an assassination attempt.”

“That it does,” said Raina, “but it isn’t the only boot. Anna if you please.”

She sucked in a breath, “Another possible target is a former slaver and newly turned merchant named Hasslian-Aled-Ghast. A Fellow Sharian like Heblah.

“King Dhalian of the Sharian Isles is famous for his pettiness and cruelty. It seems that this Haslian did something to enrage the king.” She looked around the room briefly. “From what I could find out, Haslian had unintentionally kidnapped one of the king’s nephews with the intention of slavery after plundering a trading vessel. Quickly realising the errors of his ways. Haslian released the king’s nephew and fled to Wannihiem. That hasn’t stopped the king from sticking a bounty on him.”

Ottom pulled out a vial of dust gin and began to knock it back.

Dak stretched his arms and then rubbed the side of his neck, “Heblah is a Jetonah Assassin, he has no loyalty to the king. They are at odds more often than not. Why would he care?”

“Because everyone has a price,” said Anna, “and the price for Haslian is thirty thousand golden marks for proof with his head.”

Ottom spat out the dust gin, “Thirty thousand? For a mistaken kidnapping?”

Anna nodded.

“Well, why aren’t we taking the bounty?” Ottom said.

“Because the Doge doesn’t want us to,” said Ruland, “He has been very clear that he wants the Mards to prevent assassinations. Not cause them.”

“So that’s what we’re doing here?” chimed Raff. “We’re stopping these assassinations from happening?”

Ruland nodded, “That is Rolof’s request, yes. He wants Mards to intervene if there’s a chance of averting possible bloodshed.”

“It’s a good way to keep his nose clean I suppose,” Raff mused, “use the criminals to do the dirty work.”

“Let's not forget that some six months ago the Mards escalated tensions so highly that the whole city nearly rioted. Rolof certainly hasn’t, and in his eyes, we owe him,” said Ruland.

“The doge also has an interest in this Haslian, let us not be coy about that,” said Raina.

Ruland remained silent.

“Another thing to note is that Haslian is currently in Furnterritory,” said Anna,

Ottom perked up with a grin, “Does Archin know about this?”

Ruland shook his head, “The message that was relayed to me is that he wanted the Mards and the Mards only to deal with the problem. It’s unlikely that the Furns know anything.”

“If it’s in their territory why doesn’t Rolof want the Furns to know? Why not just send in the city guard for that matter?” asked Marken

Ruland sighed, “Because this is our punishment, and ours alone apparently.”

“Punishment?” Said Marken, “will we not be paid for this then?”

“If we succeed, the Doge has agreed an acceptable fee with us.” Said Raina, “If we fail, however, then the repercussions will be drastic. It wouldn’t be too bold to say that Rolof wants us to fail.”

Marken scratched his chin, “and with Haslian, do we know what Rolof’s interest is?”

“Let’s just say that. It is in all our best interests that Haslian is kept alive,” said Ruland.

Ottom was still grinning, “Well then, this could be… very fortunate, if we play it right.”

“How so?” Said asked Raff.

“We can cause a rift within the Furns. All the while appearing as an ally... We sell the Furns information on Haslian, they’re more likely to believe we are genuine by selling it to them. Archin, a man who loves his coin, will not be able to resist. If all goes well, he will kill the Sharian. He’ll get the bounty sure, but at the cost of unnerving the Doge who we now know wants him alive. We can then use Ruland’s influence to lean on Rolof. Making sure that he inflicts harsh punishments on them. Whilst appearing unaware of anything. The Doge will surely be angrier with them, than with us. If anything he’ll forget about us completely.”

Anna nodded with a face that said she understood the logic behind Ottom’s line of thinking.

“Who says they have to get the bounty? I could just steal the head of Hasslian after they’ve done the deed and we could sell it to King Hasslian ourselves,” said Raff.

Ottom’s nodded, “I like that idea.”

“I’d like to remind you all that we have to rid ourselves of this Assassin before any of that can happen. Let us not plan for tomorrow’s problems when today’s problems are at our doorstep,” said Raina.

“Okay well, then that will bring us on to target three.” Anna said, “Princess Sian of Hafra has been staying on the grounds of the White Keep for three years now. She is married to Viceroy Hanabal. It was an arranged marriage to solidify a very shaky alliance between Hafra and The Namin,” Anna looked up at me, “If you do not know this then you should, it was this alliance that prompted the Mirnese to pass through the Bervian hills to strike at The Namin. Without this marriage, you’d still be living a quiet life today.”

“Enough of that,” Ottom cut in, “why is this marriage a problem?”

“Because Princess Sian has fallen pregnant. She has fallen pregnant whilst Hanabal was not in Wannihiem.”

There was a snigger from Dak.

“The child will be illegitimate?” Raff asked.

“Almost certainly,” Said Anna, “and it being of supposed Naminian and Hafran heritage could have claims to royalty in both regions. In truth, it was why the marriage went forward in the first place. The child being illegitimate, however, changes things drastically. The Namin Hierarchy is said to be furious. It’s quite possible that they have ordered an assassination.”

“It’s certain that they have. Whether or not it is the Sharian is another matter,” said Dak.

“Fine, well in any case they are our three main suspects. There are others but we think them too low for the likes of Heblah.”

There was silence.

“Well, that’s that then, I’m assuming you have a plan in place,” Said Ottom.

“Half a plan,” replied Raina, “due to the Doge’s sudden urgency we haven’t had much time to prepare. Ben, and a few other Mards have been scouting the potential suspects and so far, no attack seems imminent. That, however, can change at any moment. It forces us to make haste. Ottom, you are in charge of Princess Sian. You and Alia are to watch over her residence within the White Keep.

“Alia you are to get in the heads of the soldiers, make sure their minds are clear and focused. If an Assassin comes, then they need to be ready. Ottom, I want you to sweet talk the folks at the temple. See if we can get some extra guards in the palace grounds without rousing too much suspicion.”

“The Heneith will be on patrol. Even Heblah would think twice before tangling with them,” he said.

“Still, I would like to even the odds as best as I can.”

Ottom nodded, took a large gulp from a dust gin vial, and let out a breath, “I haven’t been to the temple in over a year and there are bound to be Helms lurking.”

“That’s why you’ll be taking Frenna and Heral. If you do run into problems, then at least you have our most capable with you. The people at the temple only respect high born, that means you’re our only option.”

Ottom nodded, “Very well.”

“Raff you are to monitor Hasslian. Ben will be waiting for you at dusk on the Beggars’ Bridge to give coordinates. If Hasslian looks like he is in any sort of trouble, you are to make as much noise as possible. Warn both the guards and the Furns. Rumours would have likely spread by now which means that the response time will be quick. If you have to, then engage, but remember, we are out of territory so anything you do could cost us.”

“Fine with me,” Raff said, and went back to leaning on his chair and inspecting his nails.

“Marken, you and your lads are to stalk Atinosh. From what reports are saying, he is currently visiting several different taverns in the northern parts of the city. Should something happen, you know what to do.”

“Yes,” the beast-man said.

“Dak, cover the rivers, if the Assassin tries to escape by boat, I want him caught.”

Dak nodded and yawned.

“Anna you are to meet with Heblah himself. If he truly does want to parley as it seems. You are to find out his intentions.”

“Very well,” Anna said, “I want to take Jeb with me.”

That surprised the entire room, including myself.

“What?” said Raina.

“No,” Ottom said, “no no no. I’m aware that you are fond of the little Bervian, but he’s not ready for something like this.”

“Well, what better way to learn than on the Job,” Anna retorted.

“You are aware of the magnitude of this situation? and the repercussions?” Raina said.

“I am,” Anna replied confidently, “and I still think it’s a good idea. Look how he exceeded yesterday.”

“Defending yourself against some Helm street urchins is not the same as negotiating with an assassin,” snapped Ottom, “you and your little… experiment, are being too bold Anna.”

There was silence for a moment. Anna and Ottom kept their gazes at one another.

Slowly, she stood up. “Since we formed this organization from the ashes of our predecessors – may they rest well – how many jobs have we pulled?”

“Countless,” said Dak, smiling.

“Correct, and everyone here has been involved in all of them, have they not? Have we not in the last ten years tripled our territories and gained heavy favour with the Doge? Have we not stood united in this city and been so effective, that no one even talks of back-alley transactions without clearing it with us first? And have I not played my part in it? Ottom. Your lack of faith in me is insulting. We are kings and queens of the underworld and we got to where we are by putting our trust in one another.”

“That’s enough Anna,” said Raina in a tired tone, “If you want Jeb to accompany you then I’ll allow it. But let it be known though that if this plan is to fail, then the fault will be on you. Does anyone apart for Ottom object to this?”

“I have concerns also,” said Ruland. “I want to be clear on what failure looks like in this circumstance. The Doge will not take it lightly,” he leaned forward and tapped his index finger on the table, “if we are to fail then he will take the strictest action. He will cut all ties and we will be sitting ducks for the other factions to take our territory piece by piece. We will have essentially lost any support from the most powerful man in the city.”

Anna just looked at him and said nothing.

“So be it then,” Raina said eventually, “and Jeb what do you say? Are you willing to do this? It could be dangerous.”

All eyes turned to me and I felt a pang of fear.

I paused for a moment.

Unsure.

Then nodded nervously.

I probably didn’t give the decision the time it deserved.

“Good,” Raina said, “Then it’s time to get to work. Meeting adjourned”

The council members rose to their feet and left the room orderly. Me, Raina and Anna stayed behind. Ottom lingered at the door before leaving. “Nice speech Anna, but you're making a mistake.” He narrowed his eyes on me. “That Bervian will be the death of us.”

He took a sip of dust gin before trotting down the corridor.