SoulQuest (19 page)

Vortai turned towards the room in which his stones had been held. His gaze burrowed into Ekala’s eyes, digging deep into her soul. “You...there is truly something about you, is there not? But I do not believe you are the one. Instead, it seems...”

Vortai turned to the fourth and final member of the crew. He gestured and Zarim’s paralyzed body levitated towards him. Vortai stared into the face of the pirate who had studied at the feet of a holy man. And he sensed a growing power in this one.
 

“There is something about you...but you are not there yet. I sense that a change awaits you. Until then, you pose no significant threat. So I will simply take what is mine and leave you all to rot.”

“Is it the kinda change like takin’ a buckshot to the skull?”

Vortai’s attention had been so focused on the four that he failed to notice his pursuers. Not until Swul’s warning grabbed his attention. Vortai managed a magical shield of protection moments before Tanus’ gun-arm nearly put a hole in his head. Still, the impact alone knocked him from his feet. Tanus wasted no time in pinning Vortai to the floor by putting a firm foot upon his back. He kept the gun directed right at the mage’s head.
 

“Just give me a reason,” he said in a low voice.
 

Vortai didn’t seem able to muster another shield after the last blow. That allowed Ekala to pass off the bag with the Soulstones to Swul, who immediately flew up the staircase. Ekala quickly followed, with Reyche and Templar behind. Zarim kept his own gun trained on Vortai while Tanus still had him pinned.
 

“If I finish him off now, we won’t have any problems. Your call, Zarim,” said Tanus.

“You won’t get any argument from me,” said Zarim.
 

Tanus was just about to deliver the killing blow, when the sound of footsteps echoed down the opposite stairwell. He brought his gun-arm up towards the new threat, and Vortai chuckled from beneath his foot.

“You will not escape,” he said. “Tortures beyond description will be visited upon you.”

“I dunno about you, but that doesn’t sound too appealing to me,” said Zarim.

Tanus kept watching the corridor and saw shadows beginning to fall over the lightly-illuminated path. He removed his foot from Vortai and backed off, gesturing for Zarim to move up the steps before him. As Vortai began to move to a sitting position, Tanus fired a blast right near him that forced the priest to stay still.
 

By the time the officers made it to Vortai’s location, the priest was alone and the crew of the Excalibur had managed a successful escape. With the stones.

Lord Vortai sat in his office, his fingers rapping on the polished surface of his wooden desk. His other hand stroked his long chin, and he plotted all the ways he planned to torture those who took what was rightfully his. Only he had the ability to use the Soulstones in order to craft a new world under his rule, a world that would be free from the lesser races, a world that would live in harmony.
 

But now, they had become brash. First, they killed his Trinity, save for Graf. And now they added Ono to the body count. Not a great loss in and of itself, supposed Vortai, but it had occurred within the walls of Serenity. And in a high profile manner. That, unfortunately, meant the Emperor had chosen to get involved in this little affair. Whether or not Vortai would like to admit it, his own external resources were growing thin.
 

The banging on the heavy door signaled the arrival of the Emperor’s appointed agent. “Enter,” said Vortai. And enter the agent did. What struck Vortai was that the person the Emperor had chosen to send was a striking young woman with closely-cropped black hair and green eyes. The raven and crimson armor she wore seemed almost comical, like a child playing dress-up. Vortai raised his nose to the air.

“I assume you are Commander Weiss’ secretary, yes?”

The woman felt the sting of his comment, but was professional enough to not let it show. “Actually, my Lord, I am she. Commander Kara Weiss, at your service.” She brought her hand to her forehead in salute.
 

Vortai scoffed. “I require a soldier, not a nursemaid.”

“I finished first in the academy and in my five years as a Dreadnought, I have accumulated more accomplishments than those who have been there twice as long.”

The old mage looked intently into Weiss’ eyes. He could sense her determination and her desire to prove herself. There was a ferociousness about her, and that would serve his purposes. “I suppose you shall do.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Weiss. “Now, am I to understand correctly? Your deacon was killed by thieves?”

“That is correct.”

“Did you recognize them?” asked Weiss.
 

Vortai could have told Weiss that one of them was the thief he had initially hired to obtain a Soulstone. And that another was a vampire he had held captive. “No, I have never seen these individuals. I do know they had a faerie with them.”

“That is what the witnesses have stated.” Weiss reached for a pouch on her belt and removed a notepad. She flipped through the pages. “According to the officers on the scene, your deacon was killed by a vampire?”

Vortai’s hand went to cover his eyes. “I-I do not know...all I remember is I had gone down to see the commotion, and I saw Ono...by the Presence, all that blood...” A flawless performance.

“I apologize, I understand how difficult this must be,” said Weiss. “But anything you can remember would be helpful.”

“Well...there
is
one thing,” said Vortai. “I heard one of them referred to by the name of Zarim.”

“You’re certain of that?” asked Weiss.

“Of course I’m certain. Does this name mean something?”

Weiss nodded. “As a matter of fact it does. Zarim is known as the leader of a small band of sky-pirates, and it has been reported that there is a faerie among their ranks. They mostly attack trade ships and the occasional passenger vessel—in fact, a Dreadnought air squadron recently engaged them after they pulled off a heist on the Persephone. But to pull off a job in Serenity? And in the cathedral of all places? What was so valuable they’d take on that sort of risk?”

“They stole three gemstones,” said Vortai. “Priceless artifacts of religious significance.”

“So I see.” Weiss replaced the notebook in the pouch. “Delfor is a known haven for criminals. Perhaps if we throw some credits around, someone will have something to say. The loyalty of a pirate usually depends on who offers the most money.” She saluted once more. “By your leave, sir.”

Vortai held out his hand and shooed her away with his fingers. Once Commander Weiss exited the office, the old man had no doubt she would utter a string of expletives beneath her breath. But he cared little for her feelings, all that mattered to him was reclaiming his property.
 

For now, though, she appeared to be his best hope at recovering his lost stones. Since the stones had been taken from him, Vortai’s perception of the remaining ones proved difficult. He knew they had awakened, but he no longer had the power to divine their locations. Once Weiss left his office, Vortai heard the second door opening and the large form of Graf moved carefully into his line of sight.

“Do you think it’s wise to trust Ra’kad?” he asked.

“No, he is simply trying to convince himself that he matters,” said Vortai. “Let Weiss do what she wants. I have more important things to accomplish.”

“Such as?”

“The remaining stones have awakened, and I believe I know where one of them lies.” Vortai stood from his seat and moved to the door. “Come, Graf. We have to make contact with an old friend.”

Once the Excalibur managed to get within a safe distance from Serenity, Ekala toggled the switches on the console to lock in the autopilot. She stepped away from the wheel, which now managed to stay on course by itself, and joined Tanus and Swul, who gathered around the table scattered with maps. Zarim had gone to communicate with Master Quand on Xanadar and discover their next destination while their new arrivals, Reyche and Templar, were in the common area.

“We should be okay by now,” said Ekala. “Transmission chatter is quiet and it seems like we managed to get out before they could scramble any sort of response.”

“Hey, we pulled off a win! Been too long since we had that kinda luck!” said Swul. “I’m gonna have a victory smoke.”

“You’d be having a sorrow smoke if we lost the stones,” said Ekala.

“Yer point?”

“What about Templar and the girl?” asked Tanus.

“She helped us out against that freak with the lightning,” said Ekala.

“Right, but she’s a vampire,” said Tanus.

Swul clicked his tongue. “Don’t pull that racist crap ya pulled when we first met.”

“I’m just saying it’s something we need to consider.”

Zarim stepped onto the bridge right before Tanus said those words. Without missing a beat, he strolled up to his crew and said, “I have considered it. She saved our lives, far as I’m concerned, that means she’s earned a place. Assuming she wants it.”

“And Templar?” asked Ekala.

Zarim grumbled a bit this time. Ekala chuckled. “Oh come on, don’t tell me your little ego’s still bruised?”

“He didn’t have to help us find those stones,” said Tanus. “I don’t care much for him myself, but there’s no denying that he came through when it counted.”

“We don’t even know if he’ll
want
to stay,” said Zarim. “The guy’s kind of a loner, not exactly one to join a group. And this job doesn’t have much in the way of his usual payday.”
 

“Don’t remind me,” said Ekala. “You realize we haven’t nabbed anything since those jewels from Tanus’ boss?”

Tanus grumbled at that. He still wasn’t fully comfortable with the way they’d stolen from his employer. But all he got was a guilty smile from Ekala.

Swul turned to Zarim. “You speak to Quand? Know where we’re goin’ next?”

“I’ll tell you once we find out who’s staying and who’s going.” Zarim went to the intercom, but just as he was prepared to turn it on, the door to the bridge opened and both Templar and Reyche walked in.

“Good timing, I’d say,” said Templar. “Have we reached safe passage?”

“We should be in the clear from here on out,” said Ekala.

“Then it is time for me to take my leave,” said Templar.
 

“No. Stay. Please.” Zarim’s voice remained completely monotone.
 

Templar smirked. “I understand how greatly you would value one of my skill, yet I’m afraid I am not in the mood to act as nursemaid.”

“Hey, watch it, bub! We were pullin’ successful jobs long before you came around!” said Swul.

“Should you ever have need of my services, I’m certain you will find a way to contact me,” said Templar. “If that should arise, provided the payment is sufficient, I will be happy to assist you.”

“There’s a port not far from here, we can drop you there before we head out,” said Ekala.
 

“That would be fine,” said Templar.

Now Zarim’s eyes fell on Reyche. “How about you? What’s your plan?”

Reyche hesitated. “Templar offered to drop me in my hometown, but I don’t feel like I can return there. When Ekala told me of your quest, it interested me. You’ll put a stop to Vortai, yes?”

Tanus nodded. “Would have if not for the interruption at the cathedral.”

“We’ll probably have to tangle with him again before this is all over,” said Zarim.

“Then, if you’ll have me, I would like to remain here,” said Reyche. “I don’t have anywhere else to go, and if my curse can bring about some good, then I want to help.”

“Welcome aboard the Excalibur,” said Zarim.

“Something else to consider,” said Tanus. “Vortai knows who he’s up against and he’ll likely want to come after us. Worse, given the commotion at the cathedral, it’s likely Ra’kad will intervene.”

“Intervene how?” asked Ekala.

“He may dispatch the Dreadnoughts to start pursuing us,” said Tanus.

“Pfft, we’ve dealt with Dreadnoughts before,” said Ekala.

Tanus could only shake his head. “Not like this. This isn’t like the trouble you’ve run across while pulling a job. We’re talking full-on manhunt. Wherever the Emperor’s reach extends to, you’ll find someone waiting to put a bullet in your head.”

“I suppose this means you’ve implicated me as well,” muttered Templar.

Zarim pointed a finger at the thief. “Don’t forget,
you
approached
us
. You got yourself roped into this, don’t try and pin the blame on my people.”

“Everybody just chill,” said Swul. He jerked his thumb at Templar. “He’s gettin’ off at the next stop, no sense in fightin’ over what can’t be changed.”

Ekala moved closer to Templar. “Why don’t you and I go get some air?”

“Fine, just as long as he’s off my bridge and off my ship soon as possible,” said Zarim.

Templar gave off one last shot before exiting with Ekala. “Just remember who made it possible for you to
have
those stones.”

Zarim grumbled while Ekala took the thief from the bridge and down below.

“What about the Dreadnoughts?” asked Reyche. “If they’re after us...”

“The first step will be to communicate with regional offices, let them know to keep a look-out for us. I say we lay low for a bit, preferably in a place without an Imperial presence,” said Tanus.

“No can do.” Zarim sat in the captain’s chair. “The next stone has awakened and we don’t have time to waste.”

Tanus stepped away from the table, walking up to Zarim’s chair. “Look, I appreciate that you have a job to do—”

“No,
we
have a job to do,” said Zarim. “You’re part of this crew, right?”

“For now,” said Tanus.

“Then you do as I say.” Zarim rested his elbow on the armrest. “Besides, you should find our destination to your liking. We’re going north, there’s a Soulstone up there,” said Zarim.

“Quand wants us to head up there? Those areas aren’t exactly known as bein’ friendly to humans,” said Swul.