Dwarven Ruby (33 page)

“Why are we hiding in a sewer?” asked Arik as he breathed through his mouth.

“Not hiding,” corrected Sheri as she handed the staffs back to Arik and Wylan. “This is one of the ways we disappear when we are in trouble. The sewers go all over the city. Sometimes they are actually quicker than using the streets. No traffic down here. Be quiet though because there will be people above us.”

Arik could tell that Sheri was at home in the sewers. She led the way through a maze of twisting passageways and intersections without the aid of a torch. Some of the passageways were narrow with shallow streams running through them while others were wide streams with dry walkways alongside them. Rats were numerous in the sewers, but they scattered when they heard the people coming. Arik did not feel comfortable wandering through the sewers and was grateful when Sheri led the way up a ladder. She hesitated for a moment at the top of the ladder before pushing the grate away. Arik and Wylan scrambled up after her. Wylan replaced the grate and was surprised to be inside a building.

“You might want to clean your feet off,” chuckled Sheri as she pointed to a barrel of water. “The Thieves’ Highway is not exactly the cleanest way to travel the city.”

“Where are we?” asked Arik as they cleaned their boots.

“A lot closer to the harbor than we were when we started,” Sheri answered vaguely. “This building used to be a carriage factory, but it closed down years ago. Not much call for new carriages in Tagaret after the Collapse. There is another section of it next door. That is where the gang should be.”

Sheri walked over to a wall that had old stalls for horses. She walked into one of the stalls and tapped on the wall in a quick pattern. A series of knocks returned from the other side of the wall.

“It’s safe to go in,” smiled Sheri. “Follow me.”

Sheri leaned against the wall and it creaked open. She slipped through the narrow opening. Arik and Wylan followed her, and Sheri pushed the wall shut. They stood in a large room with a wagon in the center of it. Arik’s mouth fell open as he read the sign on the side of the wagon. It read, “Boris Khatama – Merchant”.

“You brought them over the Thieves’ Highway?” questioned Jon with a frown. “You endanger us all. You have no idea who they are. What were you thinking?”

Forty pairs of eyes turned to stare at Arik and Wylan.

“Look around you, Jon,” scowled Sheri. “Do you see anyone missing?”

“No,” blustered Jon. “I see two extra people here who have no right to be here. Are you crazy? How do you know that they don’t work for the Council? That is now something we need to find out before we allow them to leave.”

“They are the reason that everyone is here,” argued Sheri. “They stood and battled the soldiers while you ran. Without their efforts, you would not have made it to the end of that alleyway. I wouldn’t have either,” she added.

“So now I am a coward for running?” questioned Jon.

“Not at all, Jon,” Sheri sighed as she calmed down. “That is how we agreed to work. All that I am saying is that we would not have made it this time. The army came to kill us, not guard the wagon. The rules have changed. I listened to the soldiers talking when they were hunting for us. We are marked people now.”

“How did these two manage to get away from the soldiers if they are not working for them?” inquired Jon skeptically. “Don’t you find that just a bit suspicious?”

“In your place,” Sheri smiled tightly, “I might be led to believe that. The difference is that I stayed behind to see what would happen to them and to guide them to safety. They were running for their lives. Arik got hit in the back with two arrows. Does that sound like they are friends with the soldiers?”

Jon walked around Arik and examined the holes in his tunic. He poked his fingers through the cloth and frowned.

“There is not even a dent in his breastplate,” argued Jon. “Hard to believe that he was shot at.”

“Look,” interrupted Arik, “I didn’t really want to come here anyway. Why don’t Wylan and I leave, and you can return to whatever it is that you do?”

“No,” scowled Sheri. “I invited you here and I have a right to.”

“Sheri is right,” interjected Benni, a small skinny boy with a tangle of black hair. “I heard some soldiers talking about the two lads who held them off. Some admired their courage while others nursed their bruises and threatened to kill them on sight. Any way you look at it, Jon, these two saved our hides today. I say they are welcome to stay if they want to.”

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the gang of thieves, and Jon finally shrugged and conceded.

“So how are we to get food to distribute now?” quizzed Jon. “If the army is hunting us down rather than guarding the wagons, our act is just about up anyways. So now we just let the people starve?”

“I can’t do that,” frowned Sheri. “I did not start this fight to just give up when things got rough. We will find a way to outsmart the army. They haven’t managed to catch us yet.”

“When the queen returns to Tagaret,” promised Arik, “this nonsense will stop. You only need to hold out a while longer.”

“Queen Marta has returned,” retorted Jon. “A fat lot of good that has done us. She is no better than the Council. It matters little to any of us who is taking the food our families need.”

“Don’t ever say that,” spat Arik as his fingers tightened on his staff. “You have no idea of the sacrifices Queen Marta has made for her people. She is offering up her life to rid Tagaret of the Council.”

Jon shook his head and turned away. Sheri pulled gently on Arik’s arm and led him and Wylan to a quiet corner where they all sat down.

“When did the queen arrive?” Arik asked after recovering his composure.

“Just last night,” answered Sheri softly. “Give me your tunic and I will sew it up for you. Nothing would mark you as much as the two holes in the back of it.”

Arik removed his tunic and handed it to Sheri. She stared at Arik’s chest in wonderment.

“What is that emblazoned on your breastplate?” she asked. “Is it a dragon?”

“I am not sure,” Arik replied, suddenly aware that he was wearing the breastplate. “I have never seen a dragon.”

“It is the symbol of Alcea,” offered Wylan before Arik shot him a glare.

“Alcea?” echoed Sheri as she ran her fingers over the breastplate. “I have heard of that before. Some old timers talked about people wanting to change the name of Tagaret to Alcea a long time ago. Why does a Sordoan wear such a thing?”

“It is good protection,” shrugged Arik as he pulled his money pouch off his belt and handed it to Sheri. “Take this. Use it to buy food for the people instead of stealing it. Maybe the army will grow bored of looking for you and the gang.”

“Keep your coppers,” smiled Sheri as she tried to hand the pouch back to Arik. “We will find a way to get food.”

“No,” insisted Arik. “I don’t want to worry about you being caught by the army right now. I know the queen will fix all of these problems. Just give her some time.”

“I hope you are right,” shrugged Sheri as she placed the pouch alongside her and began sewing Arik’s tunic. “You seem to have an awful lot of faith in this queen. Do you know her?”

“I have never met her,” Arik replied with just the hint of a tear forming in his eye. “I sure would like to though.”

“I would like to apologize for Jon’s behavior,” interrupted Benni as he strode over and stared at Arik’s breastplate. “It was a tense day today and often it is hard to tell who your friends are. He is normally not like this.”

“I know how it can be,” nodded Arik. “I’ve been in a few tough spots myself. Still, keeping faith in yourself and your friends is always the best thing to do. Tell him that I hold no grudge.”

“I am glad you understand,” smiled Sheri as she handed Arik’s pouch to Benni. “Arik donated some coins to our cause,” she said to Benni. “See if we can buy some bread with it to keep everyone going until we can find another wagon.”

Sheri finished repairing the tunic and handed it back to Arik. He immediately put it on and stood up.

“Wylan and I should be going,” Arik stated. “Can you point us back towards the Falcon’s Hood?”

“Sure,” smiled Sherri as she led them to the door of the building.

She checked the street through a hole in the door and then pulled the door open. She pointed the direction they should go and then kissed Arik on the cheek.

“Thank you for what you did today,” grinned Sheri. “I will always be grateful. Will we see you again?”

“I would enjoy that very much,” smiled Arik.

“Count on it,” grinned Wylan as he leaned forward and kissed Sheri on the cheek.

Sheri giggled as the two boys walked around the corner and disappeared. She entered the hideout and closed the door. Benni came running up to her.

“You said a couple of coins,” panted Benni. “There is nothing but gold in this pouch. Lots of it. More than lots of it.”

Sheri peeked into the pouch. She grabbed the pouch from Benni and then ran out the door. She rounded the corner, but Arik and Wylan were nowhere to be seen. She walked back to the hideout in a daze, shaking her head.

“Divide it up into piles that will buy a day’s supply of food,” ordered Sheri as she handed the pouch back to Benni. “We will use it as Arik requested. When it runs out, we strike again.”

“Arik and Wylan are not in their room,” sighed Alex as he exited the back door of the Falcon’s Hood.

“Their horses are still here in the stables,” declared Tanya.

“I am sure they are fine,” offered Jenneva. “Wylan was quite intrigued with the city. Maybe Arik is showing him around.”

“This is not a sightseeing trip,” frowned Alex. “In any event, there are far too many Targa soldiers around here for us to hang around. We shall continue to our meeting without them and check back here later.”

“Chaco said they left with a girl through a hole in the floor. Do you want me to stay here in case they come back?” asked Tanya.

“No,” Alex shook his head. “We must learn to have faith in Arik sooner or later. He has shown that he is resourceful. Let’s go.”

Alex led the way out of the alley and onto the street. He took a circuitous route that ended up at the estate of Stafa Rakech. The gate swung open as the trio approached it, and they rode through to the front of the mansion. The mercenaries opened the door to the mansion, and the trio was escorted to the plush sitting room. Oscar Dalek was waiting for them.

“I guess you are already aware that Queen Marta entered the city last night,” greeted Oscar. “Where is Arik?”

“We did hear,” nodded Alex. “Arik was not in his room. Neither was Wylan. If necessary, I will bring him back here later tonight.”

“Wylan is the lad they met in Cleb?” questioned Oscar. “He is staying with the Rangers?”

“Yes,” nodded Alex. “He is a good lad and a fast learner. His skills grow daily. Tedi never caught up to us before we left Dorgun, so having Wylan along is good.”

“I imagine you can use all the help you can find,” nodded Oscar. “Should we be concerned about Tedi?”

“I am concerned about all of the children,” frowned Alex. “It just gets harder to keep track of them. Tedi has a good head on his shoulders though. He will find us.”

“Have you seen your mother yet?” asked Jenneva.

“No,” frowned Oscar. “I would love to, but it is too risky for both of us. The need for Stafa Rakech is not over yet. I am afraid that Oscar Dalek must remain dead for a while yet.”

“That is so sad,” frowned Tanya. “Why must families be separated?”

“An excellent question, my young warrior,” smiled Oscar. “I asked you here tonight to answer a question that has been plaguing some of us for a good number of years. It is an interesting tale that some of you have heard great portions of already, but I will start at the beginning so that we all know everything.”

“Story time from Uncle Oscar?” giggled Jenneva.

“You don’t realize how close you are, Jenneva,” nodded Oscar. “Please sit down because this story is the tale of your baby.”

“Do not make jokes about this subject, Oscar,” warned Alex. “It is painful enough to think about even after all these years.”

“This is no joke, my old friend,” smiled Oscar. “The story of your daughter has been discovered. Shall I begin?”

“First tell me if she still lives,” demanded Jenneva.

“She still lives, Jenneva,” smiled Oscar. “She is cared for by a loving couple who treat her as their own.”

Tanya rose and hugged Jenneva tightly. Then she turned and hugged Alex. “I think I should leave,” volunteered Tanya. “They have a right to know the details without others being in the way.”

“No, Tanya,” smiled Oscar. “I think the story may hold a lesson in it for you. I know that you have had a few bumps along the way with Alex and Jenneva regarding how they abandoned their child.”

“That is all over,” frowned Tanya. “I was being young and foolish. I did not understand the strain they were under.”

“Perhaps, but your answer just now belies that fact,” insisted Oscar. “You see, they never abandoned their child at all. They may feel guilt at not having been there, but not nearly as much guilt as I have felt over the years.”

“Oscar,” sighed Alex. “There was nothing that you could have done.”

“You?” questioned Tanya. “What does this have to do with you?”

“Sit, Tanya,” ordered Oscar. “Sit and learn the truth of what happened all those years ago.”

“Okay,” sighed Tanya.

“It all started just before the Collapse,” Oscar began. “Sarac’s people had managed to gain control of Cordonia and Sordoa. Both countries were preparing to attack Targa. Alex and Jenneva had informed us of the Ancient Prophecy, and I managed to get my wife and son off to the Island of Grakus. Supposedly, the heir was being taken to safety. That left Aurora’s child, the descendent of Sarac. We had men in Sordoa, but they were unable to get close to the child. I went to Atar’s Cove to enlist Alex’s help. At that time we had magical Doors created by Egam. They allowed us to travel great distances by just walking through a door.”

“So when Oscar says he traveled to Atar’s Cove,” explained Jenneva, “it was like going into the next room.”