Sergun's Mission Read online

  They passed the black-clad militia without incident and entered the auction rooms. The charge for entering cost each as much as their room at the hotel. There were expensive tickets to enable some to sit in comfort only metres from the stage. There was no bar to be served at and they took up a position towards the rear right, about thirty metres away from the stage. It was busy with people inside, all adults and most looked wealthy. They waited until the lights went out and there was silence.

  The stage was lit by powerful lights and armed, masked militia stepped onto the platform taking up position at either end. A tall, strongly built man dressed in a dazzling blue cloak, black trousers and boots took up centre stage and spoke in a loud voice to the audience. He explained how to select your desired slaves, and to collect them afterwards or to arrange for delivery. He promised foreign girls from far lands and Raider girls of all ages as well as those who lived in the city and committed terrible crimes and were being duly punished.

  The two men listened to the host’s loathsome sales pitch and the auction commenced. All slaves paraded were without clothing, of all ages and both sexes though females surpassed the males in numbers. Hands were bound behind the back. Male children and adult men were cheaper to purchase than females. The most expensive were young girls of age. None of the slaves protested or made any move to escape. Sergun was unsure if they were drugged, accepted their fate or were in fear of their lives. There were many captives for sale but Jannesse’s description did not match any of them. Numbers were used for naming a price. Number three favoured young women while number one favoured young boys and bought all of them. The identity of the two biggest buyers wasn’t made available. Close to sixty slaves were sold. They heard whispers from nearby people that number three was Lord Arconis but were unable to see into the far side of the expensive area to identify him.

  It was an unpleasant voyeuristic display and the sense of joy and glee in those in the audience was alien to them. Kall’s banter and humour melted in the hall.. The scale of the business and the acceptance in the culture was worrying. In trying to rescue Jannesse they were going against the feelings of the majority. No one was going to aid them, most would likely point at them fleeing with an escaped slave. The hall made their task feel heavier and perhaps they had reached an impasse.

  Leaving the auction both men were more conscious of the scale of the trade and yet no closer to finding the location of Jannesse. They were witnesses to evidence of the legitimacy of the trade. They stepped back into the warm night air. It was a relief to feel fresh air after being confined. There were many locals outside, talking while waiting for carriages.

  ‘Lord Arconis bought the most females, he must have hundreds in his basement cells,’ said a pretty woman in a low voice.

  ‘He loves young girls if I was as wealthy as he I would buy more but I don’t have his stamina!’ A man replied. ‘Pity the wretch who belongs to him, he favours the lash.’

  Sergun turned and looked at Kall. The couple behind did not talk of the Lord again and their carriage arrived. They looked for where the richer people’s transports might be but could only see an area cordoned off around the side of the building. Lightly armed they decided it was best to go back to their hotel for the night. They didn’t trust their carriage driver to ask him where the rich live. They arrived back at their hotel, tipped the driver and lay on their beds thinking. Two skilled men with swords might be enough to fight their way into Lord Arconis’s home, even if they found out where he lived but would the two of them with a young girl be able to escape the city with their lives intact? It seemed a distant hope.

  He dreamt he was home and in bed with his wife. They both woke as there was a disturbance downstairs and he went down armed with a big knife. He walked into the garden, could find nothing unusual but when he looked back at his house was gone along with all other buildings. He walked around until dawn but the land was of fields without people or life. A wagon appeared in the distance and he ran to it. Red-clad militia sat at the front and back. The wagon contained a cage which held his wife and son. He possessed no money to buy them and was armed too poorly to fight four fully armed men. The wagon rode away fast and he sat down and wept with a broken heart. He was very glad to wake up. He suppressed thoughts of home; they would have to cope without him. He hoped to return soon. There was no red militia in Tharne. He hoped he would dream of happier things the next time.

  The next day they walked the markets and took lunch at a café near a canal. They were served by a pretty waitress in conservative attire. Kall flirted with her but she wasn’t happy with his manner. ‘You’ll have me arrested by the red militia. Please desist at once or I’ll call Berant from the kitchen to kick you out.’

  Kall flushed lightly and Sergun did not smile. He admired several women in the morning and to know the locals feared even sweet words of admiration from a stranger killed their enjoyment. Getting drunk wasn’t an option and they carried no spare money to gamble. How many more days were they meant to stay before they could leave? They were achieving nothing but emptying their pockets. If the men grew as bored as them they might start a fight or cause other trouble. They could think of no one they trusted to ask where Lord Arconis lived.

  18. An Unexpected Friend

  After an impasse of three days and failure beginning to take hold, Sergun was astonished to see a man he had not seen since the deep war. At first, he thought it must be someone who looked similar to his former friend. Of all the living people he imagined never seeing again, it was Captain Jehran, one of the toughest and most imaginative commanders he knew with sword skills which matched his own. After thinking for a long while he strode up to the table he sat at and smiled broadly.

  Jehran looked confused at first and acted warily. He behaved in a controlled way before flashing a big smile and said quietly, ‘General; it’s a great honour to see you once again. Please sit.’

  ‘The last time I saw you was at the siege of Napal. I thought you might go on to lead your own army. Yet I find you a long way from home.’

  Sergun knew of the so-called disgrace of Jehran and his expulsion from the army and thought it unjust. The government wanted to demonstrate its power over the strength of the army so they exiled him. To see his old friend far away from home saddened him but for him to be alive and in good health was a fine feeling. The man’s sense of adventure, awesome resolve and courage made him the most famous of the younger commanders. Only at the end had he become infamous.

  ‘You too are along away from home. What brings you this far?’

  ‘Answer my question first and I’ll answer yours. You might be working for the enemy!’ Sergun said with a grin. He sat opposite his old friend.

  Jehran called to a waitress who took Sergun’s request for water with a polite smile. The ex-general looked as tough as ever though out of uniform and clean-shaven he was less intimidating. It was strange to see the great man in civilian uniform. It was the same sharp intelligence behind the man’s eyes he recognised. Some generals issued commands and stayed well behind the action. Sergun led from the front. He admired that way. The man was his twin in many ways. He couldn’t imagine his old comrade working for the enemy but remained wary.

  ‘I was kicked out of the army when some Ministers took a dislike to me. I tried many trades but none took my pleasure. I hated taking orders from fools so became a bandit. I met a woman and we’ve come to find the man who injured her. He lives here. And you?’ Jehran’s voice turned into a whisper halfway through his words.

  Sergun replied, ‘you were a fine officer. I left as there was no higher promotion to me and after the war, tending to parades and endless meetings wasn’t going to satisfy. I took my pension and bought land and a home married a young lady and have started to raise a family. Now I’m far away on a government errand. We have nineteen excellent Galls outside the city along with a detachment of cavalry but they’re not allowed inside. They’re all camped outside.’

  ‘It would be good i
f we could help one another. You hold no grudge against me for being kicked out with no pension?’

  Sergun screwed up his eyes and shook his head. ‘Never. That priestess deserved her end. You didn’t deserve such treatment. You’re a hero of war. It’s shameful for you to be so disrespected.’

  ‘What brings you to the city?’ Jehran asked. It felt great to be called a hero by Sergun.

  ‘Government business; a girl related to a Minister has been kidnapped and she’s been bought here. It’s what the Raiders told us. The man we’re looking for is quite powerful. We’ve cut our way across this land until we reached here and the trail is hard to uncover. We are stuck.’

  Jehran looked around cautiously. Sergun could detect no threat but looked around briefly.

  ‘Let’s go somewhere less exposed,’ said Jehran.

  Sergun nodded. ‘Spies?’

  ‘Yes. This place looks peaceful and safe. It’s an illusion.’

  ‘I wouldn’t have believed you when I first arrived in the city. But Kall discovered it.’

  ‘Excellent news… and my partner might know the kind of trader you’re after.’

  ‘Partner? What kind of business are you into now?’

  ‘This is my lover, though we make a good business team as well!’

  ‘It’s good to know you’ve found someone.’

  Sergun wondered how much of what was just said about spies was true but didn’t want to argue with his friend. He wasn’t known to exaggerate. He left a tip for the waitress and together they walked across the plaza and through a busy market. They moved faster and Jehran led him through a series of small alleys. They ran for a hundred metres down one and cut through a small group of trees at walking pace. They were in front of a series of large, tall buildings.

  One was Jehran’s hotel. His suite was on the 6th floor. There were flowers in the room which was clean and carpeted in plush, comfy rugs. ‘Nice room,’ said Sergun.

  ‘It’s our cover. We’ve come as rich travellers from the south, looking for business opportunities.’ Jehran explained.

  ‘You said there were spies?’

  ‘There are and I know they’re watching me when they can. Perhaps I shouldn’t have carried a sword.’

  ‘I’d never leave Tharne without mine.’

  Jehran went through to another room and Sergun sat on one of the fine armchairs and waited. Jehran returned with his partner. The lady was dressed elegantly and conservatively in what resembled the robes of an acolyte of one of the eastern cults. Her hair was luxurious and covered half of her face. They were introduced and Sergun politely greeted her. ‘I’m happy you two have found one another. Jehran was an outstanding officer.’

  Sarish smiled faintly, sat on the edge of the bed and explained the less well-known side to the city. ‘From the ocean traders come and go across the world to other lands. There’s a high demand from them for young girls and less so for boys. The federation which runs the city has been corrupted and is under the power of the traders.’

  ‘What becomes of the kidnapped?’ Sergun asked.

  ‘Some will be simple servants, older boys will work in the mines, younger and attractive girls and boys will go into brothels or as personal slaves to rich men and women.’

  ‘We’re here to find the Minister’s niece. What are our chances of being able to find her here? She’s seventeen years old, slim and has long blonde hair. A mole under her left breast and a mark from an accident on her right thigh are her only distinguishing blemishes.’

  ‘If she’s here, we will be able to find her. If she’s gone on a ship there’s no chance. Hopefully someone local took a liking to her,’ Sarish said.

  Jehran paced up and down the room without speaking during this time while Sergun stared intensely out of the window. He could see far across the city and was struck by how large it was. To imagine Jannesse was gone and perhaps lost was an infuriating thought.

  ‘You say you cut a path through the Raiders to here. Was there much action?’ Jehran asked.

  Sergun explained.

  ‘Sounds like fun; with such men and Galls few would be able to stop us.’

  ‘We’re here to kill an owner who tortured me,’ Sarish explained.

  ‘Perhaps we can bring down slavery here?’ Jehran asked.

  ‘A noble aim, but we’re here on government business to save one girl, not to attack a system in a foreign city. I wish I led a mighty army to conquer all Raiders and rogue cities and to finish off the eastern enemy forever. Be practical,’ Sergun said. ‘There are only four of us allowed within the walls.’

  Sarish stood and paced up and down. Watching both Jehran and Sarish doing the same he wanted to smile, knowing how closely they acted and thought. The fury in their minds and desire to right a big wrong quickly.

  ‘We can help one another. You want to find a girl and we want to get revenge on someone. Let’s work together. We won’t change the world but we’ll do a little good,’ Jehran said.

  ‘We need to return the girl safely to Tharne, so we have to find a way out after we’ve saved her. The man who has her we’ve been told is called Lord Arconis.’

  Sarish stopped and stared at Sergun. Her sweet looking face was transformed into an anger-filled one. He thought she might scream she looked so furious. Instead, she took a deep breath and said, ‘I know the man you want. He used to be a powerful trader. Now he’s one of the most dangerous men in this city. We’ll need some of your men to help us gain entrance to his home. He’s the man we came here to kill.’

  Sergun smiled. ‘A popular man it seems. I’m glad you don’t want him alive! I must discuss this with my comrade. It appears fine to me, but we can’t help you until we know where the girl is. I hope your desire for revenge doesn’t blind you to life. We’ll need a way out afterwards. They’re sure to want to find the escaped girl and one of their leader’s killers.’

  Jehran stood beside his lover and put his arm around her. ‘My friend we haven’t come so far to die. I want to live long and share the rest of my life with Sarish. This is no suicide mission. It’s a pity we won’t have a few extra men but six of us instead of two would be excellent. We were thinking of hiring mercenaries to aid us but we lack both sufficient funds and trust. We’ve tripled our numbers and now you and Kall are among our party it gives us good reason to be cheerful.’

  ‘Knowing you’re here is like being given a squad of men.’

  Jehran smiled. ‘Sarish has saved my life three times. She’s tough.’

  ‘Good, because dressed like that few people would suspect she was.’

  ‘In your fine clothes and with your clean-shaven face you don’t look so dangerous either.’

  Sergun grinned. ‘I’m a quiet family man. Love my family and dogs and having a beer while feeling the wind in my hair.’

  ‘Sounds pleasant. In a few days if we succeed you’ll be home.’

  19. A Plan

  He left and gave no indication to anyone watching he was in a hurry to leave or concerned about being followed. He walked confidently but stopped to look at sights and stalls like a curious traveller. He carried no map of the city, but his hotel was close to the central temple which towered over other buildings.

  He explored a few shops and made sure no one followed him inside. He browsed an antique shop with artifacts claiming to be from the entire continent and beyond. Most were unknown to him. He darted out of the back and headed at a fast pace along the alley towards the central temple. Guessed he had a few minutes if anyone was following him while they waited for him to come out. Perhaps they would trace him back to the hotel but he didn’t like the thought of someone knowing his every move. It was best to keep some mystery to his whereabouts. Finding two comrades to assist them made their task easier but the closer he got to their aim the greater caution he felt. They would have one chance to rescue her.

  Kall was impatient by the time he arrived back.

  ‘How can he help us? We need someone to find our target, not anoth
er swordsman.’

  Sergun explained. They’d have to wait until Jehran and his partner found out where the girl was being kept.

  ‘That’s good fortune finding him.’

  ‘Yes and no at the same time I’m afraid. She has local contacts; they’ll both help us and are good fighters. However, we came to save a girl, while they came to kill a powerful man. Our getting away will be more difficult if they succeed. Stealing a slave is one thing, killing a powerful man is no doubt a serious crime.’

  Kall sat picking his nails. ‘Hmmm, I’ve a good plan for us getting away and getting additional help.’

  Sergun was optimistic as Kall’s mind worked well at plans for combat, better than those for successfully flirting with women. He listened patiently and suggested two points. It was possible to think of a perfect plan but the reality was likely to throw up unforeseen occurrences. They would send word to their comrades outside to get ready to leave. Both men felt impatient yet more optimistic than earlier in the day. Sergun trusted Jehran and did not consider the possibility he was working for the enemy. Men could change but the love between Jehran and Sarish looked true and perhaps fortune was favouring his old comrade again.