Sergun's Mission Read online

Sergun was delighted and only a little suspicious to see his old friend. Perhaps the man was now in the pay of a ruler of the city. Being exiled would have made him become a mercenary. Without money, few could survive.

  He was a little shocked at his friend’s appearance. He dressed well. Was no vagabond and the trimmed beard hid his face well but the lines on his eyes and the creases on his forehead had aged him quicker than expected. The life of an exile wasn’t as good or relaxed as a former officer. Loss of his status, pension, and home condemned him to a slow death. Aside from looking more worn than if his life were easier his former comrade looked well fit, trim and sharply intelligent still.

  Encountering Jehran was a bonus. If the man had retained his skills he was worth three or four good soldiers. For all his neat appearance once armed with a sword or axe, Jehran was a lethal killing machine. Fast, brutal, merciless and a comrade to be welcomed.

  Wary of the length of the time the man had been away Sergun was conscious not to drag up the past. All that mattered was his current loyalty. Perhaps Bal was looking after him. Two additional people to aid in their mission. Good people as well. One with local knowledge and experience of living in the city as well.

  For Jehran to be accompanied by a female warrior would aid them. It would make his comrade less suspicious walking around with a lady than six armed men. Sergun was more optimistic than a day ago. Their numbers were increased with at least one additional expert warrior. They knew the location of the man’s home and likely location of the girl. It was what they wanted to achieve. Attacking a rich person’s home meant they would have to leave the city as soon as possible.

  Jehran’s partner had lived in the city during her youth. It was good to have a local with such knowledge on their side.

  They met Jehran again the next morning.

  ‘It’s not so bad.’ He said.

  Sergun nodded.

  ‘He’s got a house close to the quays; we can borrow a boat to make an exit afterwards. He’s got a fast ship.’

  ‘What about the lady?’

  ‘We’re being very careful not to draw attention to ourselves so it takes time. Yes, there are regular wagons of slaves bought into the city and the Raiders sell here as well. They’re covered though and pass at night. No one looks inside and most people are in bed.’

  ‘So we don’t know if she’s in the city or been taken across the world?’

  ‘No traders have left with slaves for weeks. They’re next due in five days.’

  ‘Arconis likes the pretty young ones most of all. He’s likely to have her. She won’t be for sale at the auctions. He’s got slave pens under his house. If she’s young and beautiful and especially blonde, she’ll be lying under his house right now. In some cage, terrified and alone and-’

  ‘-Enough.’ Said Sergun. ‘I don’t need these images of it. But we need proof she’s there. She’s the reason for us being here. The state will look weak if the minister’s niece isn’t rescued.’

  ‘The government should have sent a couple of regiments of soldiers and demanded her return.’

  ‘The army isn’t what it once was. It all costs money. This isn’t a time for full-scale war. When are you thinking of attacking?’

  ‘Scout today, attack tonight.’

  Sergun thought he was joking. ‘Two nights away at least. I want to prepare and have a layout of his home and the number of guards. He might kill her if he knows we’re after her. We can’t just go crashing in; there might be a garrison of fifty men protecting him.’

  ‘We can wait two or three days. No longer; the slave ships will come in then.’

  Sergun sent word to Grer about the plan and their role in it. For all he knew the man they were after might be so confident and feel so secure he would only have a few bodyguards but they had to take him the first time. For attacking one of the most powerful people in the city the punishment for failure would be fatal. To escape with Jannesse with as little fuss as possible was his aim.

  The days before the attack were long and duller than before. Sergun longed for the fight to be over and to be heading home. His farm seemed an immense distance away and he wondered how Sharis and his son were, how Hersh and his pack were, and if the crops had been gathered on time. They seemed so far away it was hardly possible life continued as normal at home. If he made it back and was successful he expected a good reward from the Government and no more missions. If.

  They sat outside a café above the central square on the day before the attack. The sky was clear and blue, the air tasted fresh, the smell of foods wafted and whetted their appetites. There were many people in the square, Sergun and Jehran decided to meet openly and not meet again until the night of the attack.

  ‘What drug are you on? This is the city of drugs I can see,’ exclaimed Sergun, noting the happiness of his friend.

  ‘Love,’ Jehran happily replied.

  ‘I know that one, it wears out over time.’

  ‘You cynic. It’s the best one of all and it’s free. It would make me kill, rob and die to protect her.’

  ‘I agree it’s a powerful feeling. Encourages both gentile behaviour and crude.’

  ‘Who’d have thought us warriors would both be in love and happy?’

  They talked of love as cooks would their favourite recipes or fanatics their dogma. The years they had been apart did not matter. They were old soldiers, close comrades. They agreed to keep in contact yet suspected it would not work. ‘You’re confident about the success of our business enterprise?’

  ‘I’m confident our business is well funded and its aims are good and achievable.’

  ‘Good to hear. It’s a surprise to be working with old friends again.’

  ‘Fate must have bought us all together,’ said Jehran.

  ‘I thought it was my horse and the dammed mission.’

  ‘I’m serious.’

  ‘As if any great power looks out for us? I thought we agreed it was both chance and our skill and comrades that enabled us to live for so long.’ Sergun said. ‘We lost so many good people in the past I don’t believe there is any power looking after us.’

  ‘I’m not so sure. I’ve survived for so long and come through so many crazy situations; I believe someone is looking after me.’

  Sergun shook his head. ‘Lots of people think the same. Then on the day, they die they as they lie there they think ‘what have I done wrong? Why am I no longer protected?’ People search for meanings in places they don’t exist.’

  ‘No greater meaning? Yet you still fight?’

  ‘My family, to save innocent people, good people, stability; they’re all worth fighting for. I don’t need anything higher.’

  ‘We don’t have to believe in the same thing. As long as we fight on the same side it’ll be enough. I’m for all the things you said as well.’

  The two men smiled at one another and nodded. ‘Let’s toast to a successful business and a future relationship.’ Sergun said, holding his glass at eye level.

  They toasted, paid the waiter and left. Sergun separated and did not look back, he would see him again tomorrow night and they would both be ready to save the girl and kill anyone in their way. The warm sun and well-dressed crowds in the square felt strange. He’d seen another side to the place, one of underground pens and sadness. It would be good to leave the city. He smiled hoping in two days they would be on their way home with Jannesse and safely away from the City of Dreams. The city was both famous and infamous depending on the person doing the talking for its range of legal drugs. Many of which were banned in neighbouring states. Sergun found a warrior drug which was said to ‘give the strength of a fanatic and the quickness of a whippet. Don’t use if you have a weak heart.’ It was called battle. It was popular among criminals intent on violence or escape. He declined the purchase. Potions to increase virility, appetite, give waking dreams and nightmares, alleged cures for all ailments. He was curious but not tempted as if he purchased a drug and enjoyed it then he might long for wh
at he would be unlikely to find in Tharne. He wanted no drug to confuse him during the night’s mission.

  Many of the statues in the city he noticed were themed on either military heroes, religious icons or nude women; one was all three. The smell of fresh fruit now mixed with fish. The stalls were selling fresh pastries both hot and cold and fish from delicate ones the size of his little finger to ones as big as a man. The nearby temple was macabre – it was made out of black stone and wood and had what appeared to be two human skulls on poles outside. There was a money box requesting donations outside which said, ‘thank you to all who donate.’ Sergun wasn’t tempted.

  20. Attempting to Rescue Jannesse

  In the hotel room, Sergun practised with his sword and put his light armour on under his jacket as did Kall. He was tense but full of expectation. The layout of Arconis’s place was a mystery but they both doubted the man’s guards would be excellent fighters, and they had surprise on their side. The reason for their presence was a secret from everyone. Their own men were not told of the location of their target until earlier in the day. Sergun hoped by the time it was mid-way through the night they would all be a few hours away from the city on their way home with the girl alive. The killing of the Lord wasn’t important to him but if they found him then he would gladly end his life.

  ‘Kall, we’ve worked excellently as a team and it’ll be a shame when it’s over.’

  ‘You won’t be signing up for the military again?’

  ‘When we’re finished I want to go back home, I miss my family.’

  Sergun would have preferred to be standing on a battlefield knowing the enemy numbers and in daylight with the sun behind him. He felt like a bandit rather than a soldier. It was dishonest to sneak about the city and invade a man’s home. Yet enslaving an innocent girl wasn’t a good action and they were supported by the government’s authority. He wasn’t used to such tactics. He longed to leave the strange city behind and be back in his homeland, yet was sure their cause was just and was determined to succeed.

  They left their room in the late evening, their swords disguised in wrapping paper. Hoping any curious people would think of the packages as a gift for a lady friend. Wearing their light armour under their jackets they left money on the table beside the bed to pay for the room. They did not intend to return to the hotel. A carriage took them to the far side of the city. The driver asked if he should wait, they told him their lady friends had their rooms arranged for the night. He wished them a good night. Seabirds could be heard. They had driven past the street where Lord Arconis’s home was only once before and that was in daylight. It looked different at night; deserted of most people, a sense of danger lurked. Away from the strongly lit populated streets, they walked silently. It was late but there was no curfew. Down a quiet alley in the cover of a tall building they took the wrapping off their swords. Two men approached from the darkness of an alley but flashing their swords they departed back into the gloom. Sergun felt unease. Night attacks were rare in the Army. It was an alien city and they were a long way from home. The layout of the Lord’s home was unknown. On the plus side no one outside of their trusted people had been told of the plan, surprise was their ally and each of the attackers was greatly skilled. Their two men in the city would watch for any alarm and cause a distraction if need be. After travelling so far and waiting he was excited and desperate Jannesse would be found not seriously harmed. They followed the sign to King Street stopping only once to hide from a patrol of the Black Militia.

  There was a crossroad and carefully they stood away from any light waiting for their two companions to appear. They checked their watches and silently waited. Sergun was glad Kall was keen and not garrulous. The black militia appeared again but didn’t cross to their side of the wide avenue. Close to the time, they agreed to meet a figure appeared across the street and gestured. They waited for a carriage to pass and crossed the road to their friends. Jerash and Sarish were in good spirits, had not encountered any difficulty in getting there nor been followed.

  There was limited light along the boulevard from torches but Sarish checked the area the previous night and found ways to avoid them. There were two guards outside the main door and one on the roof, but she was unable to get inside. The front garden of the Lord’s home was short and small. There were extensive grounds at the back of the Mansion but the walls were high and the grounds rumoured to be guarded by large animals and traps.

  This was deadly business and all humour drained from Sergun. If he failed or was captured there would be the potential danger of a dispute between his government and the local rulers as well as his own death and of his friends and Jannesse would remain a slave. He wouldn’t see his son or wife and home again. He breathed calmly and thought of all the men he had killed and the two fearsome Keratha. How deadly would the bodyguards of a rich man compare? He was with five people he trusted. The woman’s presence wasn’t of his choice, but she could move like a cat and Jehran spoke of her fighting alongside him as good as any warrior. His old friend wasn’t known to lie or exaggerate. He clearly loved the woman and wouldn’t risk her unless she brought skills to the fight.

  Kall and Sergun crept along in the shadows heading for the main door. They saw no one else on the street. Both wore dark clothing and were ready for action. Sarish was above them ready to take out the guard on the roof while Jehran covered behind the two men on the ground. Sergeant Dules and trooper Reaf would cover the road while they were inside the Lord’s home.

  Beneath the black sky with its thousands of stars they waited. All Sergun could hear was his own breathing. The two guards outside the front door were silent. They were unable to see Sarish from their vantage. Two taps was the signal they were waiting for to show the man on the roof was dead. Sergun charged forward with his sword by his side. The guard closest who looked big and held a large axe was distracted by something behind him, spotted Sergun and swung with the axe aiming to cut him in two. Sergun sidestepped and stabbed the man in his stomach. He groaned and fell. Sarish leapt from the roof and she held the remaining guard’s neck in a noose. They told him to open the door without alerting anyone. He did so and Kall slashed his throat when the door was opened. Sergun wasn’t familiar with raiding a person’s home in such a way before. There was a first time for everything. He hoped it was the last. Open combat was his preference, not sneaking around at night.

  They burst inside, running through the guard who stood before them. The entrance hall was huge with a large staircase on the right, various doors leading to unknown rooms and no one else visible. There was no alarm or screaming yet, but they knew they needed to work quickly. The carpet was like a soft grass, the inside felt comfortably warm and smelt of fresh flowers. Sergun was confused as he didn’t expect so many doorways to go through. One step at a time he thought. How to find one girl in such a massive house quickly?

  A door to the right opened and an unarmed elderly male servant appeared, dressed in a white robe. Startled at the appearance of the intruders he managed to yell a word before Kall killed him. Sergun winced but this was no time to be lenient. He checked the floor wondering if there might be a trap, and stepped lightly.

  On the other side of the staircase, a door opened and two men stood. They wore black face masks and matching clothing. They were armed with axes and looked strong with large torsos and arms. Confidently Sergun and Kall moved towards them. Their foes remained within the room behind the door. Suspecting a trap the two men stepped cautiously. As they neared the door the armed men charged. The fight was brief and both axemen soon perished. Jehran was now inside behind them and there were no other threatening men. Behind the door was a short corridor and beyond were two further men wielding axes. Sergun and Kall carefully advanced into the corridor. From a hidden door, a young girl appeared in front of the armed men. She was perhaps twelve years old. She wore sandals, a delicate orange shift and was beautiful with long blonde hair and a sweet smell. She smiled at the two men. Sergun could not str
ike such a young girl, especially as she appeared unarmed. The men beyond made no move to attack them. She bought her hand up to her face with her palm open and blew a fine dust into the two intruder’s eyes.

  21. Captured

  Sergun awoke feeling warm, tired and in pain from his wrists, neck, and stomach. His arms were tied tightly behind his back and his neck was uncomfortable in a noose. He couldn’t remember how he got into this dangerous position. He remembered the lovely young girl and then nothing. He struggled with his bound wrists but to no good effect. The room was a cell with dark walls and light came from a single torch. He remembered the axemen, the young pretty girl and nothing after. There were two men standing watching him. The first was, unarmed but tall and powerfully built though from his face appeared fat, wearing a long blue gown with elaborate patterns on. The second man was overweight yet muscular and wore black trousers and a matching waistcoat. He was armed with a crossbow which was pointed at Sergun’s manhood.

  The man in the blue gown spoke. ‘You murderous barbarians. We blew some dust into your faces and you fell down like the dead.’

  ‘Dust?’ asked Sergun.

  ‘We call it sleep dust here. Only the wealthy can afford it. It comes from a rare plant and we like to keep it a secret. Parents have used it to subdue their unruly children, husbands to quiet their wives, passionate men to have their way with an unwilling lady. We have used it to trap criminal murderers who dared to attack my home!’

  Arconis preferred to be addressed as Lord Arconis as he showed Sergun by kicking him in his stomach. He was overweight and tanned. He had short black hair and wore fine, expensive-looking clothes beneath the gown – brown leggings, and a white fine shirt. He was handsome but his expression was of hatred. His guard remained silent.

  ‘You dare to attack me! You dare to enter my house and try to kill me. Unthinkable!’

  ‘You have a girl we’re looking for.’