Read Online Crypt of the Shadowking by Anthony Mark - Free Book Online Page A

cityfolk leave their homes in the morning and don’t come back at night. Men and women, even children. Anyone out on the streets, especially at night, seems to be fair game. The Zhentarim are kidnapping them and spiriting them away to the dungeons below the tower. Why, I’m not entirely certain. There are rumors that Ravendas is pressing them into work gangs and forcing them to toil on a series of excavations deep in the heart of the Tor itself. However, if that’s really the case, I have no idea what she thinks she’ll find by digging beneath the tower.”
    “Gold?” Caledan ventured.
    Cormik shrugged. “Maybe.”
    Mari stood up and began pacing on the thick carpets strewn across the floor. “This can’t go on,” she said, striking her palm with a fist. “Why have the people of Iriaebor put up with this for so long? There can’t be more than a few hundred Zhents in the city, but there are tens of thousands of citizens. Why don’t the people of Iriaebor rise up against Ravendas?”
    Cormik shook his head ruefully. “I wish it were that simple, Harper. At first a few people—merchants, guild masters, and lords of the council—-did stand up to Ravendas. It didn’t take long before every one of them was swinging by the neck from a gibbet Ravendas makes an example out of anyone who opposes her.
    “Of course, there are still a few bands of folk who are trying to work against Ravendas,” Cormik went on, his tone purposeful. “I hear reports about them from time to time. They meet in secret here and there about the city, in basements and abandoned towers. But there are only a few of these groups, and they’re small. They need weapons, hiding places, a way to transport messages and supplies, and more recruits. These things cost money. Lots of it”
    Caledan stood up, a roguish expression on his face. “All right, Cormik. Use your scouts to start making contact with a few of these resistance bands. The Harper and I will get you the gold you need to arm and organize them.”
    “That sounds well and fine, Caldorien,” Mari said in a scathing voice. “But how do you propose we get this gold? Shall we just go begging at Ravendas’s money house?”
    Caledan snapped his fingers. “That’s not a bad idea, Harper.”
    “Careful, Caledan,” Cormik said seriously. “You’d do well if you didn’t underestimate Ravendas. Or the Harper here. Get the gold if you can, and I’ll do my part. But try not to get yourself killed in the process.”
    Caledan was about to reply when a light knock came at the hidden entrance behind the bookcase. The shelves swung to one side, and Dario stepped through. Caledan gaped at the young man. He was dressed identically to Caledan, in black leather breeches and jerkin over a white shirt.
    “Ah, I see you’re ready,” Cormik said, smiling.
    “What’s going on?” Caledan asked suspiciously.
    “You’re going on a little trip, Caledan. You see, in my eminent mercifulness, I decided not to run you through on the sole condition that you leave Iriaebor—and don’t come back. That should keep up my appearances.”
    “But I’m not leaving Iriaebor,” Caledan said angrily, clenching his big-knuckled hand into a fist.
    Cormik groaned. “Must you be so dense, Caledan? That’s where Dario comes in.” He eyed the young man critically. “You’re not a bad match for size, Dario. Of course, you’re not nearly as ugly as Caledan is, but that would be almost impossible, wouldn’t it?”
    Mari laughed with amusement.
    “I’ll pull my hood up,” Dario said with a wink at Caledan. “Assuming you’ll allow me to borrow your cloak to complete the disguise, of course.”
    “Here, take it,” Caledan growled petulantly, handing Dario his patched, midnight-blue cloak. The young man donned the cloak and pulled the hood over his head.
    “Perfect,” Cormik pronounced. “Are you ready to ride? Excellent. Have Jad and Kevrek throw you out—not too roughly. Just enough to let my patrons see