Council of War (6 page)

"I wish you were my officer," laughed one of the soldiers. "We've been saying the same thing for weeks, and it seemed to have worked so far, but I guess our luck ran out. There is no way the rebels could have a base in the desert. They would burn to a crisp the first day. The whole idea is crazy."

A loud cough immediately stopped the banter. Tedi looked up and saw an officer staring at the soldiers. His expression showed that he was none too happy with their conversation. The soldiers started talking about other things, and Tedi lowered his eyes to the table again. The officer moved away and left the inn about an hour later. The soldiers started talking about him the moment he left, and Tedi had to smile inwardly at the things they said about him.

Tedi sat at the same table for several hours. Soldiers rose and left, while others came in and took their places. Eventually he was accepted as one of the men. Of course, buying the pitchers of ale helped, but each soldier thought that Tedi was a friend of one of the other soldiers. They spoke freely about their postings and the search for the rebels. None of the information was really strategic by itself, but from listening to a lot of the conversations, Tedi began to get a feel for the search, and what he learned was not pleasing. If the lost city of Aranak were discovered, no one would leave there alive.

Tedi drained his mug and was about to stand to leave for another inn when an explosion split the air. The common room immediately fell silent. Three more explosions followed in quick succession, and every soldier rose to his feet. Before the fifth explosion split the air, soldiers were already racing out of the inn. Whistles echoed all over the city, and Tedi heard several of the soldiers mention the harbor.

"You had better get to your room and stay there," one of the soldiers at Tedi's table said. "This sounds big."

"Why my room?" asked Tedi.

"Because the city is about to be closed," answered the soldier. "No one will get in or out until the culprits are caught. Anyone on the streets will be taken to jail and questioned for hours. You don't want to have to go through that. Get to your room and stay put. Sooner or later someone will come to your room to question you. Just stay there and wait."

Morro pulled Garth away from the alley and pushed him through the doorway of a closed shop. Garth looked around in the dim light at the remains of a small bakery. It appeared as if the shop had not been used in sometime.

"Head for the rear of the shop," Morro urged as he closed the door to the street. "There is a stairway leading down. Use it, but be careful. I will be down in a moment."

Garth moved to the rear of the shop and saw the narrow stairway. He eased onto it and cautiously moved down into the darkness. The basement was so dark that he could see nothing, so he remained frozen at the foot of the stairs. Even underground in the darkness, Garth heard the explosion that shook the city. Three more explosions followed quickly, and the Knight of Alcea knew that Kalina was at the heart of the commotion. A few moments later a fifth explosion shook the basement and dust flew into the air. He closed his mouth to the dust as he pulled a cloth from his pack and wrapped it around his face. Several minutes later, Morro descended into the basement and lit a torch.

"That was close," the elf said. "Whatever you were doing in that building, it was a trap. Soldiers were waiting for a call to action, and they had the whole block sealed off in mere moments. Come, we need to get away from here before they expand their search."

Garth followed Morro as the thief moved deeper into the cellar. Morro squeezed into a dark corner and bent down after handing the torch to Garth. The Knight of Alcea watched curiously as the elf picked up a small square section of the wooden floor. The elf flattened himself against the wall and waved Garth into the hole in the floor. Garth quickly complied and found a metal ladder in the hole. He climbed down the ladder and then held the torch high as Morro entered the hole and eased the wooden panel back into place. The thief quickly descended and took the torch from Garth. The Knight of Alcea crinkled his nose at the pungent odor of the sewer, but he certainly didn't complain about it. He followed the elf as Morro started walking away. Morro silently led Garth through a long procession of tunnels and turns until the Knight of Alcea was completely disoriented. He also felt as if he was being watched during the entire journey and that feeling irritated him, as he had not actually seen anyone. After about an hour, the elf stopped and handed the torch to Garth.

"You will need to remain here," Morro said softly. "If anyone approaches you, say that you are waiting for Speedy. Do not move from this spot. I will return as quickly as I can."

Garth nodded and watched as the elf disappeared around a corner. He listened to Morro's footsteps, but he couldn't hear them for very long. He did however detect movement in the other direction. Garth casually turned to stare into the darkness, but he couldn't see anything. Wanting to take the cloth off his face, Garth placed the torch down and untied the cloth.

"Hold the torch!" came a reprimand from the darkness.

Garth moved slowly and deliberately as he bent over and picked up the torch. He held the torch to one side at arm's length and closed his eyes to let them adjust to the darkness. After a few moments, he turned his head towards the darkness and slowly opened his eyes. He could make out the walls of the sewer for a fair distance, but he still could not see the mysterious minder that was watching him.

Morro returned after ten minutes and indicated that Garth should follow him. They rounded the corner and Garth soon learned why Morro's footsteps had faded so quickly. Set into the wall was a ladder, and Morro climbed it. Garth followed and they emerged into a basement. The basement was sprinkled with carpets and furniture, and looked very much like someone's underground home. Several torches were lit around the room, and Morro motioned to an empty sconce for Garth to place the torch he was holding. Sitting at the head of a long table was another elf, and he watched Garth closely as Morro led the Knight of Alcea to the table and indicated that he should sit. Morro sat next to him.

"Speedy has said that you are like his brother," the elf said, "and that he trusts you with his life. That is a high recommendation, but my organization is not built on friendship. Will you give your word that you will not harm any of my people?"

Garth stared at the elf. The man's ageless features yielded no clue as to his age, but his air of confidence was plainly evident. The elf's eyes bored into Garth with an air of superiority, and his face was set in tense confrontation.

"I do not know your people," Garth eventually replied. "I have a suspicion of who they might be in general, but I do not know any of them in particular. As to harming any of them, I do not harm those who mean me no harm, but I will vigorously defend myself and my friends."

"And is Speedy a friend that you will defend to the death?" asked the elf. "Even if the Federation demands his life?"

"He is," Garth answered without hesitation, "and I would, as would those who follow me."

The elf's face immediately softened, and he smiled at Speedy. "Fearless as you said," stated the elf, "and more honest than most." He turned towards Garth and continued, "I am known as Headman to my people. As I am sure you have already determined, my people are the thieves of Giza. Speedy violated our code today by bringing you into our lair, but he has vouched for you, and I expect you to honor his commitment while you are in Giza. Will you do so?"

"I will honor the secrecy of your tunnels, and I will not divulge anything of whatever happens down here," Garth replied with a frown, "but I do not know all of the terms of his commitment. Is there more?"

"It is secrecy that I demand," answered Headman. "My organization has remained in the shadows in Giza for many years, and I am not ready for knowledge of our ways and means to reach the ears of those outside the group."

Garth wondered how much to reveal to the head thief. He glanced at Morro and saw him nod, indicating that Headman could be trusted.

"I understand the need for secrecy," replied Garth. "The Federation is not my friend, and knowledge of thieves would not be on their list of questions should I ever be captured by them. I do not mean to belittle your organization, but I have more to fear from the Federation than you do."

"Understood," smiled Headman. "I gathered from Speedy that the need to get you underground stems from the current chaos happening on the streets above. Whatever is going on, the Federation wants you badly. They will seal the city and begin interrogating everyone who is not a resident. Where are you staying?"

Garth hesitated to answer.

"Headman will not betray you," Morro promised. "I have shared with him my vision of freeing the children from the reeducation centers, and he will aid us when the time comes. No amount of coercion from the Federation could loosen his lips."

"The Palace Keep," answered Garth. "There are three others with me."

"Are you responsible for the explosions along the waterfront?" asked Headman.

"I believe that one of my party is responsible," nodded Garth.

Headman raised an eyebrow. "One of your party?" he asked astonishingly. "I cannot imagine one person causing such damage. The reports that I have heard say that the entire shipyard was destroyed, and a huge hole was blasted through the city wall. That is the work of one person?"

"I do not know for sure," replied Garth, "but yes, one of my people could cause such destruction."

"Then you are a powerful ally indeed," Headman replied with a nod of deference. "You and your people are still in great danger. The Federation will keep the city closed until the culprits are found. The only way to avoid immediate arrest is to have a strong alibi for this morning. Do you know of anyone in the city who will lie for you?"

"No," Garth answered.

"What is your supposed business in Giza?" asked Headman.

"I am a special agent for a merchant," replied Garth. "I deal in gems and expensive artifacts."

"Mencham?" Headman asked Morro.

"Mencham would suffice," Morro agreed. "I will send for him now."

"Who is Mencham?" asked Garth as Morro slipped out of the room.

"He is a jeweler's apprentice," answered Headman. "He is also one of my people. His knowledge of delivery methods has brought in a fair amount of gold this year. If Mencham was not in a public meeting at the time of the attack, we will get him to vouch for you. You can say that you were discussing a sale with him. His word may not be enough to alleviate all of your problems, but it will give you time to figure out a way to leave the city. The worst thing you need to avoid right now is immediate arrest. With that in mind, we need to get you into your room at the Palace Keep Inn quickly."

"Mencham will have to vouch for my wife as well," Garth stated as Morro reentered the room. "I am not sure about the others."

"We need to find out," Morro said. "I will go and ask them while we wait for Mencham to arrive."

Morro left the room again, and two humans entered a few minutes later. Headman waved one of them to a seat at the table. The other human stood waiting by the entrance.

"Where were you when the trouble started, Mencham?" asked Headman. "Were you with anyone?"

"I was minding the shop," the jeweler's apprentice answered. "With the city tightened down as it has been, I had no visitors at all today."

"That is about to change," smiled Headman. "I would like you to meet Garth Shado, special agent for a merchant dealing in gems."

* * *

Squirt flew over the southern section of the Sea of Tears. Her eyes searched the waves of the sea desperately, trying to pick out anything that looked like a floating body. She had been searching for weeks, and she was tired and depressed. Feeling the strain of her exhausting search, the fairy banked sharply and headed for an island in the distance. She needed to rest her wings and recoup her energy. Gliding towards the rocky island, the fairy focused on a flat section a thousand paces from the shoreline. She landed roughly, and she berated herself for not getting enough sleep between searches. As the tiny blue fairy looked around for a suitable crevice to nap in, a large head suddenly appeared below her. The fairy flattened herself on the rock and stared at the back of the head in horror. She frowned at the stringy white hair as if something were tugging on her memory, but she did not recognize Haditha until the water witch turned around and the fairy could see her face.

"Haditha!" exclaimed the fairy as she jumped to her feet. "You are alive!"

The water witch heard the fairy, but she could not determine where the voice had come from. She looked around until Squirt waved her arms.

"There you are," smiled Haditha. "What are you doing here?"

"I am searching for Captain Gomery," replied the fairy. "I have been searching since the attack on the fleet. I was beginning to think that my search was in vain, but finding you gives me hope. Have you seen him?"

"Not lately," the water witch replied suspiciously. "Why would you want to find him? The need for a sea captain is long gone now. Surely, Garth and Kalina do not need him any more."

"It does not matter if he is needed," frowned the fairy. "I am supposed to support him. Fairies never give up their task once it is assigned."

"I am sure that he would be touched by such devotion," Haditha responded, "but I am sure that the others could make better use of your skills than searching for someone who is no longer needed. There is no shame in accepting the ways of fate and getting on with your life."

"I don't know," frowned Squirt. "I do not think Prince Midge would look kindly on my giving up so easily."

"So easily?" Haditha echoed with a raised eyebrow. "You have diligently searched for over a month. You must have worn your wings bare."

"I am tired and hungry," admitted the fairy, "but it hasn't been nonstop. I have taken the time to rest each night when it is too dark to search."