Dragonvein (10 page)

Kat was even more aware of the danger. She took hold of Ethan’s hand. “We need to move quickly.”

They made their way down several more blocks until reaching an area that consisted mostly of modest wooden houses and a few shops. She stopped just across from a two story dwelling on their left. The front was illuminated by a lantern hanging above the door, and a flight of steps on the side of the house led down to a basement.

Kat watched for more than a minute before leading them rapidly across the street and down the steps. As fast and quietly as she could manage, she pushed open the door. The room beyond was pitch dark. For a brief spell Ethan felt Jonas’ hand grabbing at his sleeve for support, but in no time at all Kat had lit a small lantern and closed the curtains across the only window.

The interior was spacious enough for them to be comfortable, though a sofa and two cots were the only furnishings. Several cabinets and crates lined the opposite walls, along with two large barrels. Ethan supposed this place was used mostly for storage.

“We can sleep here,” Kat told them. She was already making herself comfortable on the sofa. “I don’t have any food though.”

“We’re fine,” said Ethan. “Aren’t we, Jonas?”

Jonas surveyed his surroundings and frowned. “It will do, I suppose.”

Kat huffed, then rolled over.

“Whose house is this?” Ethan asked her, taking a seat on one of the cots.

She reached behind her to dim the lantern. “What difference does it make?”

Jonas laid down on the other cot. “Get some sleep,” he told Ethan. “Save your questions for the morning.”

Ethan sighed and reluctantly complied. However, just a few minutes later the sound of footfalls descending the steps had them all on their feet. It was at that moment Ethan realized he had left his dagger in the street beside Hank’s body. He gave a soft growl of frustration. How could he have been so careless and stupid?

The door opened to reveal an elderly woman. She was dressed in nightclothes, and her silver hair was wrapped loosely beneath a cotton cap. In one hand she held a lamp, and in the other a small knife.

“Get out of here!” she ordered. “Or I’ll call the guards.”

“It’s me,” Kat called over.

The old woman strained her eyes into the gloom further back. “Kat? What in blazes are you doing here? If Jared catches you…”

“He already knows I’m back in Miltino,” she said.

The new arrival’s eyes returned to Ethan and Jonas. “So who are these two?”

Kat introduced them; they both bowed respectfully.

“Well, if you’re Kat’s friends then you’re welcome to stay the night,” she said. “I’m Mildred. If you need anything, just ask.” She turned back to the young girl. “But why did you come down here? You could have knocked.”

“I had some trouble,” she explained. “I didn’t want to get you involved.”

Mildred scowled and shot an accusing glance at Ethan and Jonas. “Did it have anything to do with Jared?”

“No,” she answered. “It’s nothing to do with him. I swear. And he doesn’t know I’m staying here tonight.”

Mildred sneered. “I’m not worried about him, my dear. He’s all talk. If he comes here he’ll wish he hadn’t. All the same, you shouldn’t have come back. You know what could happen.”

Kat reassured her with a fragile smile. “I’ll deal with it when the time comes.”

There was a long pause. Ethan could see the concern on the old woman’s face.

“Are you hungry?” she asked.

“No thanks,” Kat replied. “We’re fine.”

Mildred sighed. “If you say so. I’ll bring you something in the morning then.” She gave Kat a fond embrace. “But I want you to get out of Miltino as soon as you can.”

“I promise,” she said.

Ethan and Jonas thanked the woman once again before she left.

Ethan considered asking Kat why Mildred had said she shouldn’t have returned, but the girl was already laying on the sofa with her back turned.

Sleep came slowly to him, but it eventually arrived. And when it did, the stress of the day ensured a dreamless slumber.

*

Jonas woke to the sound of stifled sobs. The lamp was still shining, albeit very dimly, and he could see that Ethan was still fast asleep. He could also make out the frail form of Kat laying on the sofa, her body quivering as she tried to suppress her cries. He rose as quietly as he could and crept across the room. Nevertheless, Kat heard him coming and her sobs instantly ceased. Jonas sat on the edge of the sofa and stared down at her.

“Go away,” she demanded.

“Why are you crying?” he asked. The harsh tone he had used with her up until now was gone, replaced with one of kindness and compassion.

She turned her head. “What do you care?”

“Who says that I do? I’m just curious.”

Kat stared at him for a long moment, trying to look defiant and strong. It was a losing battle. Eventually her tears began to flow again.

“I’ve…I’ve never killed anyone before,” she whispered.

This struck Jonas. He had not considered how she would feel about causing the death of Hank. Her attitude and resourcefulness made it easy to forget that she was only a child.

“You didn’t have a choice.”

“I know.” She wiped her eyes. “But I can’t get the picture of it out of my head.”

Jonas brushed her hair from her face. “I really do understand. I’ve had to kill before as well.”

“You?” she said doubtfully. “How?”

Jonas laughed softly. “I may not be very good with a blade, but that isn’t the only way to kill someone, my dear.”

She looked at him thoughtfully. “So how did you get over it?”

He tilted his head and shrugged. “I didn’t. Not really. After it happened, it was on my mind constantly. But as time passed it gradually got easier until eventually I learned to live with what I’d done.”

Kat frowned. “So you’re saying there’s nothing I can do for now? How is that supposed to help?”

“It’s not,” he replied flatly. “I’m not going to lie to you and say that it will all be better in the morning. You’re too grown up for that, I think. But know that the pain
will
subside in time. You’ll learn to cope with the fact that we often have to do things we hate in order to survive.” He paused. “But that’s a lesson you’ve already learned, isn’t it?”

Kat nodded. Her tears had ceased.

“Now tell me one more thing and I’ll let you get to sleep.” He locked eyes with her. “Who is Jared?”

“No one,” she replied, but her lie was obvious as she turned her head away.

“You can tell me,” he assured her. “I won’t say anything to Ethan if you don’t want me to.”

After a moment her eyes shifted to Ethan’s sleeping silhouette, then back to Jonas. “He runs a brothel. I used to work for him.”

His eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched. “Doing what?”

“I’m a thief remember? I used to steal things and give him part of what I took.”

Jonas relaxed somewhat. “And what did you get in return for this?”

“Protection,” she replied. “The guards and the
daiva
dealers left me alone.”

“Why did you run? What changed?”

Kat’s lips quivered. “I – I became a woman.”

It took Jonas a moment to understand what she was getting at. “You mean, you bled?”

She nodded. “I tried to hide it, but Jared found out anyway. Mildred hid me here for a few days until I was able to slip out of the city unseen.”

“And now that he knows you’re back, what will happen?”

“He’ll try to force me to do
daiva
until I can’t live without it.” The fear in her voice was increasing with each word. “Then he’ll…he’ll make me one of his girls.”

Jonas grunted with a combination of anger and disgust. “Then Mildred is right. You should leave right away.”

“I can’t,” she replied. “Hank was a member of the Hareesh. No one can get out for now. Not until things calm down.”

Jonas didn’t bother to ask about the Hareesh. Obviously they were some sort of criminal organization. Gazing down at her frail form, he thought that Kat had told him enough for now.

He stood up and gave her a stern look. “I want you to stay with us until I tell you differently. Understand?”

She cocked her head. “Why? I thought you didn’t want me around?”

“I don’t,” he replied. “But there are some things I just can’t abide.” He returned to his cot. “Don’t think this means I’ve changed my mind about you. You’re still nothing but a thieving street urchin.”

“And you’re still a worthless, mean hearted servant,” she shot back, though without very much conviction in her voice.

Jonas fought back a smile as he lay down. But the moment quickly passed. It was taking a great effort to quell the rage he felt for this Jared fellow. To force a young girl into becoming a whore was…unforgivable. Such crimes would have been severely punished when Lord Dragonvein lived.

He squeezed his eyes tightly shut.
Absolutely
unforgivable.

Chapter Four

T
he morning brought
the sounds of a bustling city into the small room. Jonas was already up and waiting patiently for the others to rouse.

Ethan rubbed his eyes and stretched. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. I hope Mildred remembers to bring us some food. ”

Jonas made no reply to this comment. Instead, he said quite abruptly: “I think we should keep Kat with us for a while longer.”

Ethan cocked his head. “I thought you said…”

“I know what I said. But we may need her help. She knows the city, and we don’t.”

“For how long?” Ethan asked.

“Until we reach the next town. She got us in. We might need her to get us out again.”

“Have you asked her if she even
wants
to come along?”

“No, he hasn’t,” Kat’s voice chipped in. She was still lying with her back to them. “And being that my debt is now paid, tell me why I should go anywhere with you?”

“You don’t have to come if you don’t want,” said Ethan.

She rolled over to look at them. “And if I don’t, you’ll both end up dead.” She sat up and scratched her head vigorously. “I figure that you lied about having papers, so you’ll be needing fakes. I can tell you where to get them. And I know which guards are honest and which ones can be bribed.”

“So you’ll stay?” Ethan asked.

“For now,” she answered through an exaggerated yawn.

A short time later Mildred came down with a tray bearing three bowls of porridge and cups of honeyed water.

“I’m going to the market later,” said Mildred. “But I’ll leave the back door open for you.”

“Don’t bother,” Kat said. “I won’t be coming back.”

Mildred nodded. “Good.” She turned to Jonas. “Will you get her out of the city?”

“If I can, I will,” he replied. “You have my word.”

Mildred gave Kat a final embrace. “You take care, young lady.”

“I will,” she promised.

Ethan and Jonas thanked Mildred for her help yet again before she left, then hungrily set about their breakfasts. Once done, Kat led them back up onto the street. By now it was already mid-morning and hundreds of people were swarming along the sidewalks and avenues.

“Miltino is more populated than I remember,” remarked Jonas. He was doing his best to follow Kat as she headed west.

“Lately people have been coming in from the country looking for work,” she told him over her shoulder. “Easy pickings for a good thief.”

Jonas frowned. “You will kindly refrain from stealing while you’re in our company. We don’t need the trouble.”

Kat flashed a mischievous grin. “I’ll do my best.” She held up a coin purse. The strings had been cut. “Starting now.”

Ethan couldn’t help but be impressed. He had not seen her do anything, yet she had been able to swipe a purse with both he and Jonas never more than a few feet behind her.

Jonas grumbled. “Don’t make me regret this.”

She tossed the purse to Ethan and winked. “I won’t.”

After a few blocks the houses gave way to small shops and taverns. Vendors of every description were noisily calling out their wares, while street musicians and beggars blocking the walkway made it impossible to move swiftly.

Kat halted in front of a small inn with a sign that read
The Heart’s Haven
. “The inn keeper here won’t ask too many questions as long as you keep to yourself,” she told them. “And the food’s not bad either.”

Jonas eased past her and opened the door. She stepped in behind him, closely followed by Ethan.

Only a few lanterns hanging from hooks on the wall illuminated the large room, and it took a moment for Ethan’s eyes to adjust to the dim light. To his left, three long dining tables had been placed side by side next to a smoke-stained fireplace. The walls were sparsely decorated with faded paintings and placards, and the clanking of pots and pans carried out from a door just beyond the front desk where a tall, thin man stood reading a tattered book.

He looked up and put down his book. “Three of you, is it?”

Jonas nodded.

“Three coppers per night for one room, five for two,” he continued. “Breakfast and dinner are included, but if you want midday meals it’s extra.”

“Sounds fair,” said Jonas.

“That’s in advance,” he added.

Jonas produced two silver coins. “I’m not sure how long we’ll be staying.”

The man jingled the coins in his hand and shrugged. “As long as you need.” He reached beneath the counter and retrieved a couple of keys. “Follow me.”

He led them to the far end of the dining hall and through a narrow door. Their rooms were only a few doors down on the right. The innkeeper handed Jonas the keys.

“You’ve missed breakfast,” he said. “And dinner won’t be ‘til sundown.”

Jonas nodded, then gave the man an extra copper who took it without courtesy.

The rooms were barren of décor, each furnished with only one large bed, a chair, and a single dresser. Kat raced inside the first one and jumped on the bed, bouncing playfully on her knees. “I think you two have some shopping to do,” she said. “I’ll be fine here.”

“Shopping for what?” asked Ethan.

“Clothes,” Jonas told him.

Ethan took stock of his ill-fitting attire. Yes. It was bad enough that his face looked like he had been in a prize fight. He did not need to give the appearance of having stolen someone else’s clothes as well.

After stowing their small packs in the next room, they left the inn together. It didn’t take long to find shops well suited to their needs. Ethan still had the coins Kat had swiped, and though he felt a bit guilty, used them to purchase a few comfortable shirts, pants, decent walking boots, and a new dagger.

It was well into the afternoon before they were finished, and the thought of supper had both of their stomachs growling as they made their way back to the inn. On drawing close, they saw a short, thin man with stringy black hair and dark complexion standing beside the front door. He was wearing a red shirt with white pants and well-shined boots, all clearly tailored to fit. In one hand he held a mug, while the other was fidgeting with a small silver knife.

Ethan tensed. There was something about him - something sinister that warned him this was a man not to be taken lightly, in spite of his slight build. Jonas slowed his pace.

The man caught sight of the duo approaching and flashed a toothy smile. “Ah. You must be the companions of my dear friend Kat.” He looked them up and down. “You fit the description perfectly.”

Ethan now regretted not changing his clothes in the shop. Jonas had suggested that he do so, but the lack of a private changing room had allowed his modesty to get the better of him.

“Kat?” said Jonas. “I don’t know anyone by that name.”

The man chuckled and drained his mug. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jared. She might have mentioned me.”

Jonas’ eyes were burning. “Like I said, I don’t know anyone named Kat.”

Ignoring the obvious lie, Jared continued: “When you see her, tell her that she needs to come see me…soon.” He glanced at Jonas’ sword, his tone now turning dark and menacing. “That’s a very nice blade you have there. I wonder…can you use it?”

With the implied threat still hanging, he tossed the empty mug at Jonas and strode briskly away.

Ethan watched as Jared disappeared into the crowded walkway. Jonas threw the mug down, shattering it to pieces.

“Bloody lowlife scum,” he snarled.

They hurried inside and headed directly for Kat’s room. It was empty.

“She must have gotten out before he arrived,” Ethan said, the relief in his voice clear.

“No,” came a voice from behind him. It was Kat. Her smile was unable to hide the fear in her eyes. “When Jared came I hid under the bed.”

Ethan looked at her incredulously. “Didn’t he look there?”

She shrugged. “Nope. Must be my lucky day.”

“I need to have a word with the innkeeper,” Jonas growled. His face was tight as he stalked away.

Kat jumped on the bed. “It’s not the innkeeper’s fault. Jared doesn’t take no for an answer.”

“Well, at least he didn’t find you,” Ethan said. “What does he want anyway?”

She frowned. “I don’t care what he wants. I’m finished with him.”

Ethan could sense that she didn’t wish to speak further on the matter, so he let it drop. Jonas returned a few minutes later with a satisfied look on his face.

“We need to acquire travel papers as soon as possible,” he announced.

Kat directed him to a tavern and told him to inquire with a bartender named Loni.

“It’s best you stay here with Kat in case this Jared fellow returns,” Jonas said before leaving. “If I don’t make it back by morning…well…just get out of Miltino and stay hidden as best you can until I find you.”

Once he had gone, Ethan stepped out briefly to collect their meals. They ate together in Kat’s room, though conversation was guarded. It was clear that neither of them wished to divulge too much information.

Several hours passed. By now, Ethan was growing increasingly concerned that Jonas had not yet returned. Kat, on the other hand, had fallen asleep with a tiny smile on her face.

Ethan was just about to go back to the common room when the door opened. Jonas entered, his expression unreadable.

“Five days,” he muttered while sitting down on the edge of the bed. “He said it would take at least that long to get our papers. And I heard people talking about Hank’s murder. The city guards are questioning everyone.”

“Then we should stay inside,” suggested Ethan.

“Yes,” he agreed. “But not here. Jared knows where we are, and I would bet that sooner or later they’ll question him as well. He can lead them right to us.”

“So what should we do?”

“I checked out a few other places where we can stay,” he replied. “We’ll move from inn to inn until it’s time to leave.”

“Then what?”

Jonas reached in his shirt and pulled out a map. He placed a finger on the dot representing Miltino and moved it along a road leading out of the city. We’ll go north until we reach Branz. Then northwest across country to the mountains.”

“What’s in the mountains?”

“Dwarves.” He folded the map and tossed it onto the dresser. “At least, I hope there’s still dwarves there. But we can discuss that later. Right now, I need rest.”

Pulling off his boots, he settled into the room’s only chair and within minutes was snoring loudly. Ethan laid down on the bed beside Kat and closed his eyes, but sleep did not come so easily for him. It took more than an hour to finally drop off, and when he did, his dreams were filled with visions of fire and death. Dragons fell from the sky, consumed by dark flames.

In the morning his clothes were drenched in sweat and his muscles ached from a night of constant tension. On glancing around the room he saw that Jonas was already up and packed. Kat, meanwhile, was tying her hair in a ponytail, humming softly.

On their way out, Jonas had a quiet word with the innkeeper, then led them to their next destination. They spent the day in their rooms, only coming out to eat.

For the next four days they moved from inn to inn. Ethan was relieved that they saw no sign of Jared, and that the city guards they encountered took no interest in them. Kat suggested that Hank’s death was perhaps now being handled by the Hareesh directly, being that he was one of their own.

It was just after dinner when a message came that their travel papers were at last ready.

“We should leave tonight,” said Jonas. “I’ve had just about enough of Miltino.”

Both Ethan and Kat agreed and began packing their belongings while Jonas went off to collect the papers. By the time he returned they were eager to be going.

The way to the north gate took them through a much more affluent section of the city. The streets were immaculate and extremely well lit by highly polished brass lanterns that hung from posts every few yards. Ethan could not help but be impressed by the elegance of the surroundings. The elaborate wrought iron fences enclosing lovingly cared for gardens, and the houses – some as tall as three stories – were every bit as beautiful as the English manors he had seen during his time there.

When they were only a few blocks from the main avenue leading to the gate, three men who at first they thought to be city guards approached from the opposite direction.

“Imperials,” hissed Kat as they drew near. She slowed her pace and fell in behind Ethan.

Ethan’s heart immediately began to race. He reached back to take her hand, but discovered that she was gone. He quickly scanned the area but couldn’t see her anywhere. The soldiers were already upon them and blocking their path. They were clad in chain mail jerkins and polished black greaves. Atop their heads were black leather helms crowned with a crimson raven.

The soldier in the center glared at them. “Destination?”

“Nowhere in particular,” Jonas replied. “Just out for a walk.”

“Papers,” he demanded, thrusting out a gauntleted hand.

Jonas and Ethan produced their false documents at once. Beads of sweat were beginning to form on Ethan’s brow as the soldier examined them.

He handed the papers to the man on his left. “And now you can tell me why you are carrying these forgeries.” His hand shot to the hilt of his sword.

“They’re not…” Jonas began.

He was cut short. “They’re good enough to fool those idiots at the gate, but not me. Now tell me where you are going and who you really are…now.”

The other two soldiers also placed their hands threateningly on their weapons.

As Jonas struggled to find some authentic sounding story, a voice called out from across the street, cutting through the tension.

“Ah! There you are.”

All eyes turned to see a tall, broad shouldered man in black leather armor and with a long sword at his side trotting over to them. He had dark curly hair and a close cropped beard. What could be seen of his face was terribly scarred and weathered, giving him an imposing and somewhat sinister appearance.

“Get back, citizen,” shouted the guard.

The man halted in the middle of the street to regard Jonas and Ethan. “Did you try passing off those ridiculous papers to these men?” He shook his head and clicked his tongue. “You are a couple of fools, for certain.”