Sergun's Mission Read online

  Kall insisted they look for a good hotel as they were generals and if they needed to talk to anyone official they had to impress them. He regretted having to leave their horses outside the gate as well but the two soldiers would arrange supplies for those outside.

  They found a suitable hotel in the central part of the city. The four men took one of the public horse-drawn carriages which traversed the streets. Sergun persuaded Kall to pay for the men to stay in the same hotel as them, on another floor. It was a large five storey building the colour of sand. All of the men changed into their civilian clothes. They told the men to rest first, find supplies for the others and only if they overheard anything about slaves were they to tell them what they uncovered but they were not to actively solicit information. They were to avoid any confrontation or trouble at all costs except if their lives were threatened. With only four men in the city, they needed to keep their aim as concealed as possible.

  The rooms Sergun and Kall shared were a relief after travelling on horseback for so many days, and many kinds of wonderful food were available. Hot running water was much used by the men, they enjoyed their baths. They changed into their spare civilian clothes and decided to leave their swords in their rooms, though Sergun kept two knives and Kall his largest knife. They needed to be as inconspicuous as possible. Their black trousers, white shirts, and colourful waistcoats were out of place in the city so they found a tailor close to the hotel who fitted them in the style and looser clothing of the place. Sergun went for a sombre dull colour loose shirt and crème trousers. Kall went for the brasher colours of blood red and azure blue. They went to a barber who shaved their beards and trimmed their hair to fit in better with the local men.

  Back outside in the shade of trees on a quiet street they stood and watched the people go by.

  ‘You don’t look so tough without your beard, and my face feels like a woman’s.’

  ‘Hard to picture you as the same tough General I’ve come to know.’

  Kall grinned. ‘Fighting with you has been a great honour. Seeing you kill that Keratha was the most amazing single fight I’ve seen.’

  ‘Thanks! Having you around me is a good feeling. Better to fit in than everyone sees us as outsiders. It feels strange to feel the sun against my cheeks again. How much will we pay for the return of the girl?’ Sergun asked.

  ‘Let us find a quiet place to talk; we don’t know who might be listening.’

  Sergun agreed and they found a café.

  ‘Pay? The Government won’t pay a ransom to return her. It would be a display of weakness. We’ll have to take her back through force or the threat of force. Can’t go around rewarding kidnappers, can we?’

  ‘We were going to pay the Keratha if they had her?’

  He rubbed his bare chin thoughtfully and scowled. ‘Yes, we would have paid them but that’s only because they’re so powerful.’

  Sergun was surprised they were not going to buy back Jannesse but understood if the government was shown to pay for a member of her family who was kidnapped it would be a sign of weakness. No power they knew of could threaten the Keratha but against fellow humans, strength must be shown. How much strength could they show with only two of their men having weapons and only four of them in the city? A quick resolution to saving Jannesse looked unlikely. Negotiation was likely to prove more successful. They were many days journey from home and the thought of being pursued on horseback for days and being captured or killed within sight of the city walls of home was a chillingly likely prospect.

  They decided to walk and find the mood of the city and check for any obvious leads. The people were cosmopolitan and well dressed. There were no Raiders to be seen. It was Kall who spotted it before Sergun. After a two-hour walk, they sat at a café just off the main square and ordered a cooling drink. Kall said. ‘There are no children on the streets. It’s all adults.’

  ‘Must all be in educational classes?’ Sergun replied. He wasn’t as concerned as his friend.

  They both noticed the local militia who were dressed in all black, including face masks showing only their eyes and a small part of their mouths. There was also a red-clad militia less numerous but with their faces covered as well. Both were armed with clubs and knives. It appeared sinister to both of them as officials with hidden identities were alien in their lands. No government troops covered their faces in such a manner in Tharne. It appeared contrary to what they had seen of the city; there were no beggars or poor, the people appeared well fed and reserved. It was an alien place and they expected differences between the place and their home. The independent cities of the north traded little with Tharne and kept in contact with distant lands across the seas. They were careful not to ask questions in case the person was a spy or informer. If Jannesse had been sold to someone wealthy they would have to be careful not to antagonise anyone powerful. The place was peaceful and after a short walk, Sergun felt as calm and safe as when he was in Edge City. It was good to see smart people, a clean city and no beggars.

  Later by one of the canals Sergun felt a gentle tug at his cloak and turned to see a young boy trying to steal his money. Angrily he grabbed the thin arm. With his free hand, his small opponent reached for a knife. Sergun backhanded the boy a soft blow to his face which sent him sprawling onto his backside on the street. The boy crouched as he rubbed his chin. He glared furiously at Sergun and held the knife.

  ‘Get away now before I knock your stupid head off.’ Sergun warned.

  The child stared, waved the knife, turned and ran. Sergun thought of his own young son and shuddered at the thought he would ever become such a thief. The child crawled under a gap in a wall no adult would fit through.

  ‘Not the most threatening robber we’ve met!’

  ‘True, but we have no way of getting extra money if we’re robbed here. Let’s be careful.’

  Sergun saw no reason to hide away. The city was beautiful and there were many fine sights to be seen. The waterfalls in the city which provided for the citizen’s needs as well were a delight. It was many days since he witnessed the poor women at the Keratha palace and he was happier to see the pretty clothed women of the City of Dreams looking satisfied and alluring. He walked along the promenade and while a few curiously looked at him and Kall, no one stared and there was an air of security in the city. He walked through the markets and remembered Sharis asked him to bring her a present. He knew little about jewellery but wanted to give a small pretty gift that would easily fit inside his jacket or pack. Jewellery which opened for drugs to be hidden inside were popular but Sharis did not like narcotics except when ill and he didn’t want to give her a powerful addictive drug. Kall looked with him and attempted to flirt with the women he found in the market.

  Sergun found it easier to kill than to select a piece of jewellery his wife would be satisfied with. He was frustrated by the variety, appalled at some the high prices and yet struck by the beauty of some of the objects. Determined not to be tricked on the price he searched all of the jewellery stalls and shops he could find to compare. He finally chose a polished platinum pendant on a chain with a rare shaped pink crystal in the centre.

  Kall was relieved he finally made his choice. ‘I’m glad I didn’t take you to a brothel it would have taken you all day to make your choice!’

  ‘You’d have better fortune in one than you do talking to women out here,’ replied Sergun.

  ‘It takes too long to court a woman. I hope we won’t be here so long. This city is expensive to live in, and the women don’t seem friendly.’

  It was lunch time and they found a café by a canal and ordered grilled fish with beans and fruit juice. The fish was fresh and sharply spiced, and the juice refreshing. It was the best meal either had since they left the Keratha Capital and eating in the City of Dreams was better. The waiter who served their food was attentive and polite. They changed their Tharne coins and some notes at money changers as recommended by the hotel. Their stomach’s satisfied they walked along the main s
hopping road, wondering how they could find out the location of a slave.

  It was Kall who uncovered the first bad news from within the city. He found a book detailing the laws and ordinances. It was the acts of punishment with slavery which were most disturbing. They’d seen no evidence of such treatment but the laws were precise and harsh, and for many crimes under the local law enslavement was the only punishment. It explained why children were rarely seen alone as children without adults with them were sold into slavery, for the crimes of adultery or lewd behaviour it was the red-clad militia who enforced the laws.

  Slaves were the property of private individuals and had no rights; their freedom could be bought if a suitable price was agreed but they could also be killed without punishment for their murderer, though this was rarely done. Reading this both Sergun and Kall’s hearts felt sad both for all who were killed and for the fate of Jannesse. They hoped whoever bought her found her more entertaining alive than dead. They’d have to be vigilant with their behaviour. Worse was the understanding that trying to find out the location of a slave in the city was no easy task. Citizens found guilty of a crime were on record but outsiders bought in as slaves were not. They knew the name of Lord Arconis but didn’t know where he lived or what he looked like nor where he would be keeping his slaves. They hoped the Raiders had not deceived them. As strangers in the city, it wasn’t a good idea to ask for such information, they didn’t want to awaken the attention of spies and informers who might work for the powerful.

  They walked down the streets with no appetite for food, both saddened and angry at what they had discovered. It was a puzzle they didn’t know how to unlock. They saw the citizens of the city in a new light and wondered how many secretly desire to change the laws. There was no way of knowing. They sat by a fountain in the shade and whispered to one another how to proceed. Their evening was spent in their hotel room, a check on the two men found they were in good health, sober and had arranged for food to be supplied to their comrades outside the walls but they found nothing concerning Jannesse. The men and Galls outside were patiently waiting for them.

  ‘Good work, men. Only four of us and without most of our weapons, we must be careful. If we cannot find the lady we want all of us remaining to return alive.’ Kall said.

  Sergeant Dules and Trooper Reaf were happy with their rooms. Kall and Sergun spent the evening and night in the hotel, and called for room service for their meal. They discussed many options to find Jannesse but none were suitable without risking many lives. They decided to patiently wait and wander the streets each day hoping to overhear local’s talk or some other clue.

  The city was larger than they believed. Not knowing who to trust meant the task seemed impossible but after travelling so far and killing so many enemies it would be a dismal failure to ride all the way home. They couldn’t trust the black militia to ask them to find a girl. They desired no attention from the militia and had no knowledge of who they could trust. Surprise and keeping anonymous was their aim. Once it was known several soldiers were hunting for a girl false trails and scams might arise and the girl’s owner would be forewarned.

  17. Impasse

  The next day was no better. They breakfasted in the good café from the first day but knew they must vary their walks and eating establishments in the hope of finding out more of the city’s slave’s. During the day the place was filled with a heady scent of alcohol, spices, and fruits. Down an alley exploring Kall was excited but surprised to see in shop windows pretty girls standing in revealing outfits. For a moment he wondered if they were painted statues. He stared transfixed at one girl with incredible shiny black hair, green eyes and painted lips. She stared back unblinking. Then she winked at him and licked her lips.

  A heavy-set man appeared at the doorway. He smiled pleasantly and was well dressed with blue eyes and a well-kept beard. ‘Sir, enter our comfy rooms. We’ve many girls to play with. From all over the world. Raider girls, eastern delights, exotic beauties fresh from Tharne and local girls good and bad. All will want to play with a man as fine as you.’

  Kall was surprised at the openness of the display and politely rejected the man’s offer. Sergun shook his head, the two girls in the shop window were enticing but he was on a mission, a puzzle to solve and entertaining with such girls wasn’t going to help them.

  He wasn’t aware of such openness in his own lands. The lane contained several such shops and bathhouses. They promised many delights, not all pleasant. For a moment he wondered if he would see a blonde girl of Jannesse’s description and their hunt would be over. He hoped for a miracle but found none who matched her.

  If he still believed in Bal the god of his youth he would have gone to the temple and made an offering, but years of combat had reduced his belief. Too many times he had heard his soldiers pray to Bal and they’d perished before the battle was out.

  Still, the pleasant scent of the candles lured him. The familiar symbols and stern figure. Bal wasn’t a god who forgave easily. Bal was the god of victory and bravery. It offered comfort for those who believed in it and promised revenge on those who betrayed.

  Close by they came upon a temple to Oshana. She was a goddess found normally in the eastern regions. Two beautiful young women stood outside, clad in white robes with sandal-clad feet, long dark hair and enticing expressions. ‘Come to make an offering and hear the words of the oracle. The all-knowing, all loving and powerful goddess Oshana. Sergun wasn’t convinced. Kall, however, wanted to talk.

  ‘She’ll answer our questions.’

  ‘You may ask a question of the goddess she may not answer. Our ruler does not obey mortals but her light shines on all and she can unveil many secrets of the world.’

  Sergun held his friend’s arm, but Kall pulled away. ‘Let me try in here. We’re stuck and need guidance.’

  ‘You won’t find it in there.’

  One of the girls looked angrily at Sergun. ‘You unbeliever should move away from our sacred temple before our goddess strikes you down!’

  Kall smiled and said softly to Sergun. ‘I’ll be gone for a short while. Come and rescue me if I’m not out before sunset!’

  Sergun waited outside while his friend disappeared. He moved to the other side of the alley as both girls remained hostile to him. Time passed. Much later than he expected Kall appeared with a big smile.

  He walked to Sergun. ‘She’s in this city for sure.’

  ‘Can you be more specific?’

  ‘Oshana does not work in such a way.’

  ‘Let’s continue on our hunt then.’

  They walked a few paces before Kall touched his money bag and found it gone. He searched his pockets and grew furious. He strode back to the temple and they found two large men with axes standing guard. It would not be difficult to kill such men, but it would ruin their aim of being cautious and unseen.

  ‘They’re sluts in there. I spit on their false goddess. They must have drugged me.’ Kall said.

  ‘You didn’t have all of your money on your person did you?’

  ‘Praise Bal no, but I’m still as mad as a killer on a rampage. I won’t forget this temple. Thieving on a person’s desires.’

  ‘Let’s be wary where we go. We’re strangers here. I’m sure those deceivers will find someone they trick will harm them badly.’

  ‘I’ll pray to Bal for that day,’ Kall replied.

  Sergun wasn’t used to travelling looking for a person in a strange city. He had campaigned in his younger years in the army. Travelled many times living in tents and barracks. Twice visited the Keratha lands and survived. Now sitting in cafes and walking around the markets he grew frustrated. He was used to action yet knew patience was required. They had to listen for any candid information. He tried to relax but also wanted to finish their task and return home. It was a torment to be bored, have many bars and taverns to explore but to know to get drunk would end badly. They might get into a fight, say the wrong thing or be robbed. Yet bartenders spoke to lots of pe
ople and sometimes were a good source of information.

  The tavern was down steps and through a strong wooden door. It was poorly lit inside by candles and the strong smell of alcohol and sweet drugs mingled. Kall and Sergun requested beers. The barkeep offered no conversation and they sat and eyed the other customers. Grim-faced men sat with their backs to one wall, conspiring to keep their conversation low. They looked at Kall who did not stare back. A solitary man sat a few tables away staring at his wine. He was wiry and did not appear to be armed. Two women were giggling in the corner, it was hard to determine their age from their hair and position. None seemed a likely source of information.

  Three bars later an inebriated Sergun asked for water and was given a look as if he asked to kidnap the man’s daughter. Both men returned to their hotel, lay down and slept until evening.

  After a nap, they felt almost refreshed. They went to the restaurant and sat and ate a good meal of local fish, with crunchy leaves. It was another wasted day. They had funds for another ten days. Without progress, they’d have to leave. He would return the pendant stating trying to find a missing girl in a city was like trying to find a specific leaf in a forest. It would be a disappointing end to the mission. Even Kall’s optimism began to fail with no sign of the goal in sight.

  The next day they looked again. Posters were found on several walls in one of the wealthier districts. A slave auction was to be held the following evening and they agreed to go. The city was still warm at night and all main streets were lit by lamps. Fewer people were walking and more carriages were idle. The militia was still visible. They took a carriage to the auction as it was too far to walk. Unsure if they would be permitted entrance they saw parts of the city they had not explored before. They passed temples to deities not recognised in Tharne, inns, hotels, dancing, and entertainment, sporting and many homes. The driver of the carriage showed no sense of dislike for their chosen destination and offered to wait for them to come out. They agreed. The slave auction wasn’t hidden away and a hall was set aside. It was a grand building, brown in colour, many stories high, and well lit. Tall trees surrounded the building to provide shelter in the day. Armed militia stood outside. There was a sign outside which said, ‘No Children and No Trouble.’