Read Online City of Scars (The Skullborn Trilogy, Book 1) by Steven Montano - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Steven Montano
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even moderate magical effects. The thought of a Bloodspeaker with limitless power chilled his blood.
“What will you do with her?” Dane asked.
“I’ll sell her to the highest bidder ,” the Count said. “I don’t care if that’s the White Dragon, the Chul, or a blacksmith in Tarek Non. But no one will get their hands on her without the Guild making the sale.”
Dane laughed. “So it’s about money?”
“Don’t act surprised,” the Count said. “Yes, Dawn Knight, it’s about money. It always is. The Black Guild is a profitable coalition. But the Phage has become a problem. They’ve gobbled up much of what used to be the Galladorian criminal empire. They’re ruthless cunts, much more resourceful than I’d given them credit for. Recently they’ve cut into the Guild’s slave and narcotics trade, and that, as they say, is the last straw.
“The two organizations are at war. The conflict has been bloody and exhaustive, and it’s taken its toll on both sides. And it’s not over…far from it. I recently learned the Phage has arranged to sell the Dream Witch, and the transaction can give them enough magical resources to strengthen their organization to the point where they could crush us. I won’t let that happen.”
Dane felt like someone had pushed a knife to his throat. So much for this being a simple job. “This is a lot to place on one person,” he said. “What if I can’t find her?”
“You will. We’ll provide you with everything you need.”
“Why me ?” Dane asked again. “I have trouble believing you have no one in the Guild capable of taking care of this. Someone you know you can trust. This seems like a lot of faith to put in a…mercenary.”
Goddess, I used to be so much more. What am I doing?
“That’s a good question, Dawn Knight,” the Count said.
“I’m not a Dawn Knight,” Dane said. “Not anymore.”
“But you were. And as a Dawn Knight you were taught to use The Veil to track specific individuals, something few other Veilwardens can do. I need that skill. No one in my employ can handle this task the way you can. Our rivals know we’re searching for the Dream Witch. They’ve targeted my lieutenants, and anyone else who knows of her presence here in Ebonmark. They even made an attempt on Vellexa’s life last night.”
“That’s why she didn’t meet me…” Dane realized.
“Yes. And yet you still prevented Ijanna from falling into the hands of the Chul. Last night when you saw her the Dream Witch was on her way to meet a Drage criminal named Bordrec Kleiderhorn so she could arrange safe passage out of the city. Vellexa learned of the rendezvous and planned to have you take care of the job there and then, but when the Phage tried to eliminate Vellexa she was forced to retreat to one of our safehouses, leaving you to fend for yourself without any knowledge of what was happening.”
Dane shrugged. “I get that a lot,” he said.
“It’s no laughing matter,” the Count continued. “Both Ijanna and Kleiderhorn have vanished. Try as I might, I can’t locate them.”
This is getting worse by the minute , Dane thought. Hiding from the Black Guild, who possessed agents in every city-state west of Raithe, was all but impossible. Ijanna was no amateur.
“Ten thousand gold, ” the Count said. “ If I didn’t need you, you wouldn’t be here. Remember that. Fate has brought us together. A former Dawn Knight and my target both arrive in Ebonmark within days of each other…this is how things are supposed to be, my friend. This is why you are here. No one escapes the Dawn Knights .”
Dane turned away. That’s right. No one.
“Do we have a deal?” the Count asked.
Dane breathed deep. What choice did he have? There was no chance the Iron Count would let him walk out of the Cauldron alive if he refused.
Then don’t do it , he told himself. Say
“What will you do with her?” Dane asked.
“I’ll sell her to the highest bidder ,” the Count said. “I don’t care if that’s the White Dragon, the Chul, or a blacksmith in Tarek Non. But no one will get their hands on her without the Guild making the sale.”
Dane laughed. “So it’s about money?”
“Don’t act surprised,” the Count said. “Yes, Dawn Knight, it’s about money. It always is. The Black Guild is a profitable coalition. But the Phage has become a problem. They’ve gobbled up much of what used to be the Galladorian criminal empire. They’re ruthless cunts, much more resourceful than I’d given them credit for. Recently they’ve cut into the Guild’s slave and narcotics trade, and that, as they say, is the last straw.
“The two organizations are at war. The conflict has been bloody and exhaustive, and it’s taken its toll on both sides. And it’s not over…far from it. I recently learned the Phage has arranged to sell the Dream Witch, and the transaction can give them enough magical resources to strengthen their organization to the point where they could crush us. I won’t let that happen.”
Dane felt like someone had pushed a knife to his throat. So much for this being a simple job. “This is a lot to place on one person,” he said. “What if I can’t find her?”
“You will. We’ll provide you with everything you need.”
“Why me ?” Dane asked again. “I have trouble believing you have no one in the Guild capable of taking care of this. Someone you know you can trust. This seems like a lot of faith to put in a…mercenary.”
Goddess, I used to be so much more. What am I doing?
“That’s a good question, Dawn Knight,” the Count said.
“I’m not a Dawn Knight,” Dane said. “Not anymore.”
“But you were. And as a Dawn Knight you were taught to use The Veil to track specific individuals, something few other Veilwardens can do. I need that skill. No one in my employ can handle this task the way you can. Our rivals know we’re searching for the Dream Witch. They’ve targeted my lieutenants, and anyone else who knows of her presence here in Ebonmark. They even made an attempt on Vellexa’s life last night.”
“That’s why she didn’t meet me…” Dane realized.
“Yes. And yet you still prevented Ijanna from falling into the hands of the Chul. Last night when you saw her the Dream Witch was on her way to meet a Drage criminal named Bordrec Kleiderhorn so she could arrange safe passage out of the city. Vellexa learned of the rendezvous and planned to have you take care of the job there and then, but when the Phage tried to eliminate Vellexa she was forced to retreat to one of our safehouses, leaving you to fend for yourself without any knowledge of what was happening.”
Dane shrugged. “I get that a lot,” he said.
“It’s no laughing matter,” the Count continued. “Both Ijanna and Kleiderhorn have vanished. Try as I might, I can’t locate them.”
This is getting worse by the minute , Dane thought. Hiding from the Black Guild, who possessed agents in every city-state west of Raithe, was all but impossible. Ijanna was no amateur.
“Ten thousand gold, ” the Count said. “ If I didn’t need you, you wouldn’t be here. Remember that. Fate has brought us together. A former Dawn Knight and my target both arrive in Ebonmark within days of each other…this is how things are supposed to be, my friend. This is why you are here. No one escapes the Dawn Knights .”
Dane turned away. That’s right. No one.
“Do we have a deal?” the Count asked.
Dane breathed deep. What choice did he have? There was no chance the Iron Count would let him walk out of the Cauldron alive if he refused.
Then don’t do it , he told himself. Say
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