Read Online The Melaki Chronicle by William Thrash - Free Book Online Page B

a wizard--”
    The officer leaned forward, stabbing his finger towards
Talin. “I know your rank and it means nothing here. You are chartered as a
guest of Imperial Marshal Stakar. This is a military operation and you will
obey our jurisdiction or the marshal will see you back on a ship, your charter
revoked. Do I make myself clear.” It was not a question.
    Talin sighed in vexation. “Fine, then.” He wiggled his
fingers at the officer. “Be off with you so we can be about our business.”
    The officer eyed him and frowned, but turned on his heel and
left.
    Four of the First Charter were merchants and had brought
wares. They headed immediately to the large area for merchants to stake out
their areas.
    Soldiers were on the walls, armed with crossbows. Some moved
in the streets, shifting crates towards the imperial offices. It looked like
half the town was being cleared for those in the charter.
    “Come, Melaki, we will set up our tents over there.”
    “Tents?”
    Talin looked amused. “You do not have one?”
    “I do not.”
    The wizard laughed. “Well then I guess you are sleeping in
the mist.”
    He grunted. “No one told me I was going to need a tent.”
    “Look around you. How many cozy taverns do you see with
rooms available and waiting?”
    Shut up. As if you knew what we would find here. But
Talin had brought a tent. “Maybe one of the merchants will have one.”
    Talin waved a hand as if swishing the air clear of a bad
odor. “Whatever. We will set up and then go view the maps in the offices.”
    Talin selected the most comfortable looking set of ruins and
set down his packs. Melaki set his down in the smaller area next to the
arrogant wizard.
    “In fact, let us go see the maps now and you can pitch my
tent later.” Talin strode off without waiting for a reply.
    He is treating me like an initiate. Melaki followed
behind, glaring at the wizard.
    They passed a lone sentry outside the door to the imperial
offices who made no move to inquire about them or otherwise stop them. The
interior was brightly lit, warm from a large fire roaring in a well-tended and
large fireplace and dominated by a large table.
    “I am senior officer Mata,” said an imperial officer. He was
bearded, and wore his hair in a braid down his back. “I am sure you are here to
see the maps and stake your interest.”
    “Indeed,” Talin said.
    Mata leaned over and plucked a pointer. “Allow me to detail
for you. Here is Balis Port. What remains of a road runs northeast here. These
areas here are abandoned towns--”
    Talin looked at the man sharply. “Are there any real men and
women left on the island that are not dead? Or undead?”
    “No.”
    “So no inhabitants at all.”
    The officer tapped his pointer, pursing his lips. “Anything
that moves out there is a product of necromancy.”
    “I find it hard to believe there had been no surviving
humans. Someone had to feed the necromancers.”
    “Yes, well. Our orders were to eliminate the island.”
    “Oh? Including citizens of the Altan--”
    “There were no citizens of the Altanlean Empire here, only
those who supported the necromancers. They all have paid the price for their
rebellion.”
    “I see.”
    “Do you, wizard?” The officer's brows drew down. “This was a
hard-fought victory. Many good men died to the necromancers.”
    Melaki heaved a sigh of relief when, for once, Talin acceded
an argument and let the matter rest.
    “Go on,” Talin said, indicating the map.
    “There to the east is the capital, Dramlos. On the far north
shore there is the only other major city.”
    “What is the scale of your map--”
    “A five-day march from here to the capital. A seventeen day
march from here to Kellerran.”
    “These points?”
    “All that remain of villages. These symbols you see everywhere
are graveyards.”
    “How much can we stake?”
    “We want the area pacified--”
    “Yes, I know.” Talin said. His arrogance was back.
    “The marshal has declared the