The Coastal Kingdoms of Olvion: Book Two of The Chronicles of Olvion (39 page)

“As you probably gathered yesterday, it is fairly certain that our king and his high officials have been mishandling our treasure.  To be blunt, they were stealing from their own kingdom.  The amounts that we have discovered as being misappropriated are staggering.  I confess I am at a loss as to what they planned to do with so much.  Even if Minos were to lose his next election he would draw immediate attention should he try to spend such large amounts.”

Ruguer nodded.  “Greed is like an infection.  If not treated early it will grow steadily more serious until it kills the entire body.  I have seen this type of behavior by minor officials in our kingdom.  They convince themselves that they are far too clever to be discovered.  When one is consumed by greed whatever amount they steal never seems to be enough.”

Norcum sat back in his chair and sighed.  “Indeed.  I have been authorized by the Parliament to tell you that the recovered treasure will be applied
immediately
to the support efforts of Olvion.  Food and materiel convoys will begin travel to your kingdom on the morrow.”  The older gentleman looked at Ruguer with a sad smile on his face.  “Removing Minos from power will not be a happy chore.  As we informed you yesterday, he was almost removed after the Great War, but the citizens thought it best that he serve out the remainder of his term, which would have expired in two more seasons.  Minos would have enjoyed an honorable place in our history in retirement.  Now he will forfeit his pension and will most likely be banished or imprisoned.  It is sad indeed.”

“And who will take his place?  What is the name of your Vice-Monarch?”

“His name is Krowe.  Alas he is also implicated in this debacle.  There are many who will offer their names for consideration.”

“Are you one of them?” Ruguer asked.

Norcum smiled his sad smile again.  “I fear so.  As the senior Member of Parliament my name will automatically be tendered, but my station in Parliament will doubtless taint my reputation.  Many will assume that my hand was also in the treasury.

“But enough about those matters, I will see you later this day.  The Parliament wishes to offer an official apology.  They would appreciate a parting address from you since you have indicated that you will leave us in the morning.  If it would not be inconvenient for you, the populace has requested a public forum.  They wish to add their condolences on the death of King Zander.”

The man stood and offered his hand.  Ruguer did likewise.

Toria sought out Taggart and found him talking with Jo-Dal and Spall.  She walked up with Pan and Tinker each riding a shoulder. 

“Tag, I need to speak with you.” She indicated Spall and Jo-Dal.  “With all of you.”

The three men were curious and indicated that she could proceed.

“I have heard the rumors.  Chief among them is the rumor that someone will need to go into the city tomorrow and locate the captives.  I just spent the morning sharing thoughts with Pan.  He has made me aware that he would be able to find Dwan and the others.”

Jo-Dal started to object, but Taggart stopped him with an upraised palm.

Toria continued.  “It’s simple, really.  It is a big town, but the custom of the pirates is to wear their hair long and let their beards grow with a few exceptions such as Captain Fauwler.  Our warriors, at least the men, follow regulations which dictate short hair and for all to be clean shaven unless given special permission otherwise.  They would immediately attract unwanted attention by the townspeople.  Even if they were not noticed it would be unlikely that they would be able to find our people.

“I can blend in to the citizenry with no problem.  I can conceal Pan from view, and he can lead me to them without having to ask any questions which might arouse suspicions.  Once we find them I can keep them under watch, and Pan can find you at the harbor defense stations.  Hopefully you will have taken them over by then.  Pan can tell Tinker where we are, and she can tell you.”

The three commanders looked at each other.

“I am loathe to let this young civilian risk her safety, but I can find no fault in her plan,” said Spall.

Jo-Dal’s brow furrowed.  “I see the merits, but sending only one person in restricts our chances of success.  If she is discovered our entire reason for this expedition is threatened.  At least one other person should go with her.  That way they can keep the women under watch from two different locations if the situation calls for it.  If one is discovered the other can still lead us to them.”

Taggart held up a hand.  “I agree with both of you, and I think I know who should go with her.”

A few moments later Tay was standing before them.

“I am aware of your prowess with the bow,” Taggart said “but tell me, how are you with a dagger?”

Tay looked at them with a curious expression.  “I have received training in the long knife and with Tooth and Claw.”  She looked over at Toria.  “I confess I am not as deft with them as Toria, but I am confident in my abilities.”

An hour later the two women were sneaking through the trees and trying to get as close to the town as they could while remaining concealed from the harbor watch stations.  A branch of the forest ran to the east and took them lower in elevation and put them in a position to be able to reach the town an hour after night fell.

They found an overturned tree and concealed themselves in the exposed roots while waiting for darkness.  Tay sat down and took a drink from her jug.  Toria joined her.

“Will your friend tell us if someone approaches?” Tay asked.

“I think so.  His connection to me seems to grow stronger each day.  When I dream I actually feel him in my mind, searching my memories.  I can sense that his abilities grow stronger when our connection with each other increases.”

Tay shook her head.  “It must be an amazing experience.  Do you know how many people would change places with you?  For many summers Mountain Children were thought to be myths.  Then came the Great War, and The Legend appeared with Tinker.  Two seasons later and here you are with another one.  This world is changing.”

They kept hidden until it became full dark then they slipped out of their hiding spot and cautiously made their way into the town.  Tay had abandoned her warrior’s uniform and changed into one of Toria’s outfits.  They both now wore clothes suitable for a farmer; drab and utilitarian.  They expected that such clothing should help them fit in with the pirates of Kylee.

Both women carried a number of silver coins.  Fauwler had told them that this new continent universally dealt in two types of currency; ores and silver.  Ores were special coins minted in several places, and any type of silver, be it coin or bar, was desirable.  Money was often useful to purchase food or bribe officials should the need arise.  Taggart had spoken with both of them before they set out, telling them what he recalled of the island from his conversations with Fauwler.  That information should help if they found themselves being questioned, but the plan was to remain as invisible as possible.

Toria carried Pan in a sling over her shoulder.  He felt warm as he lay unmoving against her side.  She had the sensation that he was seeing everything that transpired through her eyes and mind.  The moment they drew near to the town he started casting about mentally for traces of the kidnapped women. Tinker had given him Dwan’s mindscent, and it would be the key to locating their people.

Before they left, Tinker had flooded his mind with emotions.  He sat quietly until she was finished.  Then he sent her waves of optimism.  They both knew that this was his tasking.  It was the reason that he was here, and he was determined to acquit himself well and without assistance.  It was the way of taskings that they must be accomplished solely by those designated by the Awareness.  Pan was happy that his mate was with her human, and he knew that, should his personal future hold tragedy, she would stay with him and share his life.  It would afford her at least some opportunities for happiness once he was gone.

They heard the noise of the town before actually entering it.  There was much laughter and shouting, some breaking of glass bottles and the clatter of animal hooves on cobbles.  When they finally came out from between two wooden buildings they were in the middle of a narrow street composed of small shops and taverns.  Some of the shops were still open, but most were either closed or in the process of doing so.  Not so the taverns, they were in full operation, and business appeared to be robust.  People wandered the streets in large numbers.  The infiltrators were expecting a cesspool of debauchery and inappropriate behavior.  They actually saw very little of that.  Instead the activity was very similar to the streets of the four kingdoms of Olvion. 

They saw younger couples strolling arm in arm, children walking curs on leashes and slightly inebriated men singing as they made their way from one tavern to the next.  The women tensed as they walked by one such group of men, expecting to be surrounded and indecently assaulted.  Instead the men simply greeted them and asked if they wanted to accompany them to their new destination.  One of them did shout an offer of marriage, but it was all done with a jocular air and they did not feel at all threatened.  They expected much worse in a town populated by outlaws.  There was an air of happiness about the city for which they had been totally unprepared.

Toria relied on Tay to guide them through the town.  She was trying to stay in touch, mentally, with Pan.  The animal was psychically casting about in much the same manner as a good hunting dog tested the air for scents. 

They followed the narrow street until it emptied onto a larger boulevard.  Here was the social heart of the town.  Tay and Toria were both surprised at the size of the city.  The wide street boasted many open taverns and inns.  Huge braziers sat just outside most of the inns, and roasting meats gave off tantalizing smells with the purpose of drawing customers inside.  After days of dried fish and other cold-camp foods the aromas were tantamount to torture. 

They followed the boulevard for a long distance before stumbling upon their first clue.  There was a raised platform located right next to a wooden pen.  In any of the four kingdoms it would have been taken for an animal auction yard.  This pen had several structures within which were obviously there for the purpose of restraining people.  They found it curious that the entire structure had the appearance of having been recently damaged.  Boards were pulled off the sides and lay on the ground, and some of the wooden slats of the pen had been smashed.

The two women were addressed by many of the Kylee citizens as they passed.  Men and women would greet them with comments about the weather and other subjects.  They noticed that other unaccompanied women were strolling the streets with no apparent concern for being accosted by males.  It made them feel less threatened and helped them to blend in easier.

Tay finally pulled Toria into a small recess between buildings.  “Has he found anything yet?” she asked.

“Nothing positive yet, but he did get a slight recognition back by the auction platform.”

“The hour is growing late.  When the crowds thin we will be more noticeable.  We really need to find them soon.  Either that or a place to pass the night.”

Toria indicated for Tay to give her a moment to connect with Pan.  She closed her eyes and emptied her mind of all thoughts.  Eventually she began seeing images of the town.  The mental pictures made it seem as if she were flying through the streets of the city.  She saw the slave platform and sensed the presence of …something.  It was like an aroma, but then again, not really.  It was mental.  The term “mindscent” formed in her consciousness.  The mental view of the area cast about, first in one direction, then in another.  Eventually she felt the mindscent pulling them down another wide street that ran perpendicular to the boulevard.  Her floating point of view flowed over the cobbles of the road until it stopped and turned.  There was a large, two-story construction which looked more like a business office than a home.  It was painted white and had a large porch and an entrance with a double door.  The entire edifice glowed with the presence of the mindscent.  Inside the sling Pan squirmed and shuddered.

Toria came out of her trance and looked at her accomplice.  “He’s found them.”

Tay now followed Toria as they wandered through the wide boulevard checking each big intersection for something familiar from her vision.  Eventually they came upon a smaller street that had several businesses still open.  Toria felt Pan moving excitedly in the sling.

“Down here.”

They turned left and followed the street, it had a few businesses still open, but the farther down they went the darker the place became.  That was preferable to the young women, fewer people equaled a lesser chance of being discovered.  They kept to the shadows as much as they could.  Then, just as they were about to step off of a wooden board walkway they heard a voice coming from an intersecting alley.

“Here now!  You…yes you…halt for the patrol.”

They had no understanding of the “patrol”, but it sounded official and they prepared themselves to brazen their way through.  They saw two men in front of them that had just exited the alley.  They were typical physical types, both about five foot six and sporting the omnipresent brown hair and eyes.  One had a yellow rag tied around his head, and the other kept his hair back with a string.  Yellow Rag pointed a wooden club at them.

“You girls know you have to stay on the main street to make your offers.  Why are you here?”

Toria wasn’t certain what he was saying.  “We’re making no offers.  We are merely walking on this street.”

The man regarded her with suspicion.  “Not making offers?  If you’re not street harlots then why are you out this far into the evening alone, eh?”

Toria felt a projection of alarm emanating from Pan.  She felt the daggers under her light blouse and decided to brazen it out.  “And when did a stroll become a matter for the patrol?”

The other man smiled, showing missing teeth.  Actually more were missing than present.  “The new edicts by the Council say that
anything
is now a matter for the patrol, Love.  But we was just looking after your welfare.  You can go, but be cautious, there are others out here not so kind as us.  Two young pretty things such as you two could draw the attention of the wrong people.”

The women began to feel relieved, but Yellow Rag put out a hand when they started to walk on.  “A moment here, Loves.  What is that accent of yours?  I’ve never heard such a thing here.  Where do you hail from?”

Tay slipped her hand under her tunic and put the tip of her finger on her dagger, preparing to draw it should such an action prove necessary.

The man with the gapped smile put a hand on his partner’s arm.  “Here now, Millet.  We’ve people here from all over.  Let the youngsters get home ‘fore the bad ones come out.”

Millet seemed on the verge of pushing the matter further, but then made a decision.  He smiled and stepped to the side, making a half-bow as he did so.  Tay and Toria nodded and treated them to smiles then continued on.

Tay whispered.  “I was a moment from slitting their throats.”

“And I as well, but anytime we can avoid trouble we need to do so.  Come on now, I think the place we are looking for is just ahead.”

They continued on through several intersections.  There were almost no people around them, all of the shops in this part of the town were dark.  Then they found themselves directly across the dirt path from the building they sought.

Toria pointed.  “That’s it.”

They both examined the exterior of the building.  There was nothing on the outside to designate the edifice as a slave’s quarters.  They crossed the street and looked for lights coming from the windows but saw none.  There were three entrances that they could find.  There were the main front doors, a smaller rear entry and a set of steps in an alley leading down to a cellar door.  There was a keyhole in the cellar door and when Tay checked it she could neither hear nor see anything within.  They quickly left the house to avoid being seen.