Echoes Of A Gloried Past (Book 2) (9 page)

Nolan smiled, slightly glimpsing the crap storm that this was going to cause. Regardless, from the sound of it, his men were in the right, and he would back them up even if Renke’s boss outranked him.

“All right, I think I get the gist,” Nolan said. “Is there anything else?”

“Yes, Captain Commander Josef was accompanied by an Elitesman.” Anson said, unable to keep his voice from shaking. The presence of the Elitesmen were enough to rattle the nerves of the most stalwart of men, and Nolan understood Anson’s concern.

“Understood,” Nolan said and quickened his pace to the station. So much for a quiet morning.

Ten minutes later, he and Anson rounded the corner to the station headquarters for the district. A three-story, white, stone-faced building big enough to accommodate a hundred guards of the watch stood at a main intersection. He took the steps leading up to the main doors two at a time. When he came through the doors, the clerk behind the desk saluted.

“Captain of the watch is on-site,” the clerk cried.

Nolan returned the salute and quickly headed for his office. The mood in the station was more somber than normal, which Nolan attributed more to the presence of the Elitesmen than the Captain Commander. Perhaps it was his own nerves.

Nolan glanced back, and Anson was still on his tail. “Stay close.”

Anson nodded and took up the post right outside his office door.

Nolan stepped into his office to find Captain Commander Josef sitting in his chair and the Elitesman standing at the window with his back to him. Josef had the look of someone permanently annoyed with everything and anyone that was unlucky enough to cross his path. Of the districts in the capital city, the captain commander’s is the most prestigious because it borders included the palaces of the High King.

Captain Commander Josef looked up at his arrival and scowled.

"My Lord, Captain Commander,” Nolan saluted.

The Captain Commander narrowed his piggish eyes, “Nolan, you have some of my men locked up in your holding cells.”

“Yes, my lieutenant was bringing me up to speed on my way in this morning, sir.” Nolan replied, glancing in the direction of the Elitesman who didn’t turn around or make any sound.

“Well,” Josef growled.

“Sir?” Nolan asked.

“I want them released,” the Captain Commander barked.

“They will be released when I review the case and they’ve been cleared of any wrong-doing,” Nolan replied calmly. “I’ve only just learned of the incident this morning, and it did only occur last night.”

Josef’s scowl deepened, and his face became an impressive shade of purple. “Are you refusing an order?”

“No, sir.”

“Then why won’t you release them now?” Captain Commander Josef asked.

“As I’ve already said, my Lord, I haven’t reviewed the case nor checked last night’s reports.” Nolan’s reply was cut short.

“Don’t spout these ridiculous reasons. Those are my men you have locked up, and as your superior officer I’m giving you a direct order to release my men or I’ll … ” Captain Commander Josef bit off his reply.

“I would caution you against that, my Lord,” Nolan replied, fighting the urge to clench his fists. “I cannot comply with your order as it would violate our city mandate which is, as you know, to uphold the law of our city. If I were to just release them because of your order, I could be brought up on charges for negligence of duty if any wrong-doing were to be found.”

Captain Commander Josef heaved his bulk out of Nolan’s chair, glaring menacingly at him. Despite Josef’s expanding girth, Nolan knew he had been a brawler in his youth and still enjoyed a good fight. Nolan kept his cool despite Josef’s outward display.

Just then his office door burst open and Lieutenant Anson stepped inside under the guise of delivering reports from the night watch. Anson wore a shocked expression as if he didn’t realize anyone was in the room.

"My Lords, I’m sorry for interrupting,” Anson stammered, but Nolan knew better. Anson stood, waiting with the files in his hand.

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Nolan said and gestured for him to place the files on his desk.

Anson placed the files on his desk and winked at Nolan before leaving the room.

“Release the commander’s men,” said the Elitesman, speaking for the first time, slowly turning from the window. “And the miners.” His voice didn’t hiss, but it still reminded Nolan of a snake. 

The Elitesman’s icy stare sent shivers down Nolan’s spine. He couldn’t argue his way out of this, and the Elitesman knew it.

“At once, my Lord.” Nolan said, bowing his head, knowing that the miners in the holding cell were doomed to a cruel fate.

The Elitesman nodded and turned to address Josef. “Captain Commander, I trust that should satisfy you. Deliver the miners to the Citadel.” 

The Citadel was the stronghold of the Elitesmen, and there was little chance that they would ever see the light of day again. Nolan felt a pang of regret for the miners settle into the pit of his stomach.
Do something. Help them.
A small voice urged, but there was nothing he could do. The Elitesmen’s word was law, and to challenge it often turned out badly for the challenger.

There were rumors spoken in hushed corners about a man who openly challenged the Elitesmen, but he put little stock in them. Who could ever challenge the Elitesmen? Those miners were as good as dead, which is where he would end up if he tried to help them. But he wanted to help. The stink of the Elitesmen autonomy gnawed at him. He was a district captain, and he should be able to protect the citizens in his district and uphold the law. 

The Elitesman turned back to Nolan and dismissed the Captain Commander. Josef left the room, still glaring at him. The Elitesman moved closer to him, and Nolan had to fight the urge to grab the sword at his side. He was an expert swordsman. Most captains were, but he had seen some of the things the Elitesmen could do, and he had no desire to test his mettle against any from that order.

“Whenever you’re ready, Captain,” the Elitesman said.

Nolan nodded. “Lieutenant.” 

Anson stepped back into the room and saluted.

“Release the captain commander’s guards at once. Take a squad and escort the miners to the Citadel,” Nolan said.

As Anson saluted, the Elitesman cleared his throat, narrowing his gaze.

“Do we have a problem?” the Elitesmen asked quietly.

“No, sir,” Nolan replied.

“I said for the captain commander’s men to escort the miners to the Citadel, not your men.”

Nolan clamped his jaw shut. He was hoping that his interpretation of the Elitesmen orders would be over-looked. “My apologies, Elitesman,” Nolan said.

“You’ve been here six months, is that right?" the Elitesman asked.

“Yes, my Lord,” Nolan answered.

“This isn’t the first time your ‘interpretation’ of our orders has almost put you in direct conflict with our will,” he hissed.

Nolan swallowed, "My Lord, I was thinking of the well-being of the miners. My only concern was to deliver them safely into the care of your brethren at the Citadel. I meant no offense.”

“Perhaps it is my
will
that the miners suffer,” the Elitesman spat. “Would you have issues with that?”

The Elitesman knew damned well he would have an issue, and the look in his eyes confirmed it. 

“No, my Lord,” Nolan answered numbly.

“I see,” the Elitesman said, striding about the room before turning to face Nolan again. “I would like your men to escort the miners to the Citadel. See to it that they are properly cowed by the time they arrive.”

Nolan fought down the nauseous feeling in his sinking stomach as his mind leaped ahead to not only what he was being ordered to do to the miners, but what the cost would be to the men under his command. The spark gave way to the flame of his anger despite his fear of the Elitesmen. 

“As you wish, my Lord,” he said softly.

“I want them driven like livestock through the streets, and I want you to personally oversee their transfer,” the Elitesman sneered, his gaze unwavering.

Nolan’s hand itched to reach for his sword. He couldn’t do this. This was an order he couldn’t follow.

“Captain,” the Elitesman prodded, “we’re very interested in your son. We’ve watched his progress and have noted his special talents.”

Jason … They know!

He had tried to keep Jason’s talents secret, but the boy was twelve.
No, not my son.
Nolan’s hand hardened around the hilt of his sword, much to the Elitesman’s delight. Nolan stood there for a moment, upon the precipice of openly rebelling against the Elitesman and certain death. The Elitesman, he noted, delighted in his struggle as a spider mercilessly spins his web around his prey.

How could they know about Jason?

“We are keen to get him into the academy of the Elite when he comes of age. That’s next month, is it not?" the Elitesman asked.

 Nolan nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

“Excellent, I look forward to his training,” the Elitesman said in a deceptively sunny tone. “Now I will await you and your men outside. Do not keep me waiting long.” The Elitesman finished and left the room.

Nolan stared at the spot where the Elitesman stood until Anson cleared his throat. He released his vice-like grip off the hilt of his sword.

“Lieutenant, gather a squad of men and bring the miners to the front of the station,” Nolan said evenly.

“But, Captain, we can’t do this,” Anson said, his eyes wide with fear.

I have no choice. They are coming for my son. 

“We have our orders. Tell the squad to … ” His voice faltered. “Bring the whips,” Nolan said, turning to face his friend. The look of betrayal nearly broke him as much as the threat to his family had. Almost. There was a line between protecting his friends and comrades and protecting his family. Anson was about to voice another protest. “You have your orders, Lieutenant!” he shouted.

Anson saluted and bowed stiffly, “It shall be done, my Lord Captain.”

Nolan felt something break inside him as Anson left the room. Could he really have been so naive to believe that he could have changed things here? The Elitesman had played him as a master swordsman played with a fresh recruit that had never held a blade, and the sting of it burned him inside. The Elitesman was waiting for him outside, and their plan finally dawned on him. For him to drive the miners through his own district like a bunch of animals would prove to all its residents that he was no different than any other district captain that had come before. 

C
HAPTER
7

STRANGERS IN KHAMEARRA

THE arrival at Khamearra was uneventful. They had decided to split up and enter the city at different entrances, using the Flyer’s stealth mode to drop them off at strategic locations. The sky was beginning to grow brighter as dawn approached and the city began to awaken. The capital city was grand in size, easily four miles wide and went on a good distance beyond that to the river after. Airships dotted the sky as they went to and fro. The walls of the city were slate gray, a stark contrast to Shandara’s pristine white walls. There were houses and other buildings beyond the walls. Aaron could see a grand palace to the western side of the city …
Sarah’s home.
Toward the eastern edge was the Elitesmen stronghold from which two dark towers spiraled toward the sky, easily as high as the towers of the palace proper. 

Before setting off, Gavril once again emphasized the importance of stealth and that they should focus on reconnaissance only. They had planned to meet at an inn near the center of the city, and Gavril handed out a small comms device about six inches long and thinner than a pencil, but quite durable. They had a range of ten miles and were networked through the Flyer SPT’s on-board computer, but they could also communicate back to Hathenwood through the satellite. This gave them some small measure of reassurance that they could at least speak to one another if they needed to, and that help would be on the way if someone were to get into trouble. 

Tanneth had all sorts of small devices hidden within his long leather jacket. While not exactly native to Khamearra, its appearance wasn’t exactly foreign. They bid farewell to the others as Aaron, Verona, and Roselyn watched the silent Flyer leave them behind. 

Roselyn brought her hands up to her eyes for a moment, and when she took them away, the Hythariam golden eyes had been replaced with brown eyes matching Aaron’s own. She couldn’t hide the exotic beauty of her facial features, which were accentuated by her rich dark hair, but that's what hoods were for.

“This should be interesting,” Aaron said, beginning to walk down the road to the western gate. 

“I agree, my friend, interesting indeed,” Verona said, coming up behind them.

They walked up the road, silently approaching the houses along the outskirts of the walls. The people that were outside took note of their approach with a pointed indifference. The occasional few offered a friendly nod, but most went about their morning tasks, seemingly not to invite attention. They passed through the gates under the wary eyes of the guards in black uniforms with the silver dragon emblems on their chests. Aaron felt a momentary surge of anger at the sight of the uniform. When they were out of earshot of the guards, Roselyn asked him what was wrong.

“I’ve had a few encounters with men who wore the same uniform as the guards here,” Aaron answered, keeping his head low as they passed yet more guards. He had to remind himself that simply because they wore the same uniform these were not the men who burned down his home or murdered his mother and father.

 The streets became more crowded the farther they ventured into the city. Whenever there was a group of guards or a passing nobleman, a path instantly opened through the throng of people. The city fully awakened from its slumber and took on a life all its own. It was markedly different from the quietness of Hathenwood or sailing the skies on an airship. Try as he might, Aaron couldn’t help but feel out of place among these people. He tried his best not to think of them as the enemy, which became easier the more he observed the silent interplay between the citizens and the guardsman. Not all the guardsmen gave the open appraisal of what could they take from you as they walked by.