Read Online The Right Hand of God by Russell Kirkpatrick - Free Book Online
Authors: Russell Kirkpatrick
Ads: Link
worry. If you're lucky, you might just see the heroic dreams of your northerner friends end at the tip of a blade right below this tower. And if all goes well, I might let you be the one to tell our master of His great victory - and mine, of course.' He sneered at her, then left the room. Stella heard the key turn in the door. When she was sure he had truly gone, she hung her head and wept bitterly.
'What is happening here?'
Leith's question spoke for them all. They had no time to tell each other their stories. Still the explosions continued
somewhere behind them in the Granaries district, not as violent as those that brought destruction to the Struere Gate, but threatening nonetheless. All around them buildings burned, with one or two of those ahead starting to smoke, and there was a very real possibility they might not escape this place if they remained much longer. Already they stood alone on the street, apart from a few unclaimed bodies.
'Somebody fired the Granaries,' Mahnum told them. 'Started at dawn. We were out on the streets looking for Stella - it's a tale we will tell when we can—'
'Stella is missing?' The Haufuth moved to the front of the group. He turned his head this way and that as though he might see her somewhere on the street.
'As I said, it is a tale we will relate when we can. For now, let's go back to our lodgings, if we are able, if they're not on fire as well.'
'Who started the fire?' This from the Captain of the Guard as they began to walk hurriedly along the Vitulian Way, the Struere Gate behind them.
And who are you to ask?' Mahnum retorted.
'Now who wants to ask questions?' the Haufuth said gently. 'The man's question is a fair one.
He serves this City loyally, no matter how evil his master might be, and might be able to do something to save it. So who did start the fire?'
'The general belief among those helping put out the Granary fires is that it must be Escaigne.
They've committed similar acts before, apparently, but nothing on this scale.' The grim captain nodded, as if the information confirmed his own guess.
Indrett added: 'A few of the locals I spoke to tell of seeing strangely-clad men and women, and even some children, grappling with the guards. This likely convinced them the Escaignians are involved.'
Farr spoke up. 'I have a question. What is he doing here?' The mountain man indicated the Arkhos of Nemohaim, who walked among them without apology. 'More to the point, why is he still alive? I have the will and the skill to change that, if no one else has the stomach for it.'
He put a hand on his sword hilt.
'There is much to explain,' Hal put in. 'He gave us aid on the journey north, and we agreed to respect each other for the time being. We have a bargain to honour, and until the man proves unfaithful he may remain with us.'
'Are you collecting enemies like stray dogs?' Farr asked the cripple with a sneer in his voice.
'Such dogs turn on their masters when hungry. I, for one, do not want to make a meal for them!'
'We would have made a meal for a band of robbers, were it not for Achtal,' Kurr responded sharply. 'We would not have escaped from the Deep Desert if he had not rescued us. Don't be too quick to condemn others. Perhaps your brother might still be with us if those who knew him best had been more tolerant.'
'You have no right!' Farr cried, his anger blazing hot. 'You know nothing!'
'Enough!' The Haufuth stood between them. 'I thought you two had resolved your differences.
Can't this wait until we're somewhere safe?'
The two antagonists glared at each other and lapsed into silence. For some time the group walked briskly northwards, along the road. Clear sky opened up above them.
'So how do we stop the burning?' Leith asked eventually, glancing back behind him. 'Surely that is the most important question?'
'That, and then to decide what we do about the thing
you carry in your hand,' Phemanderac stated firmly. 'We could spend our time battling the flames,
'What is happening here?'
Leith's question spoke for them all. They had no time to tell each other their stories. Still the explosions continued
somewhere behind them in the Granaries district, not as violent as those that brought destruction to the Struere Gate, but threatening nonetheless. All around them buildings burned, with one or two of those ahead starting to smoke, and there was a very real possibility they might not escape this place if they remained much longer. Already they stood alone on the street, apart from a few unclaimed bodies.
'Somebody fired the Granaries,' Mahnum told them. 'Started at dawn. We were out on the streets looking for Stella - it's a tale we will tell when we can—'
'Stella is missing?' The Haufuth moved to the front of the group. He turned his head this way and that as though he might see her somewhere on the street.
'As I said, it is a tale we will relate when we can. For now, let's go back to our lodgings, if we are able, if they're not on fire as well.'
'Who started the fire?' This from the Captain of the Guard as they began to walk hurriedly along the Vitulian Way, the Struere Gate behind them.
And who are you to ask?' Mahnum retorted.
'Now who wants to ask questions?' the Haufuth said gently. 'The man's question is a fair one.
He serves this City loyally, no matter how evil his master might be, and might be able to do something to save it. So who did start the fire?'
'The general belief among those helping put out the Granary fires is that it must be Escaigne.
They've committed similar acts before, apparently, but nothing on this scale.' The grim captain nodded, as if the information confirmed his own guess.
Indrett added: 'A few of the locals I spoke to tell of seeing strangely-clad men and women, and even some children, grappling with the guards. This likely convinced them the Escaignians are involved.'
Farr spoke up. 'I have a question. What is he doing here?' The mountain man indicated the Arkhos of Nemohaim, who walked among them without apology. 'More to the point, why is he still alive? I have the will and the skill to change that, if no one else has the stomach for it.'
He put a hand on his sword hilt.
'There is much to explain,' Hal put in. 'He gave us aid on the journey north, and we agreed to respect each other for the time being. We have a bargain to honour, and until the man proves unfaithful he may remain with us.'
'Are you collecting enemies like stray dogs?' Farr asked the cripple with a sneer in his voice.
'Such dogs turn on their masters when hungry. I, for one, do not want to make a meal for them!'
'We would have made a meal for a band of robbers, were it not for Achtal,' Kurr responded sharply. 'We would not have escaped from the Deep Desert if he had not rescued us. Don't be too quick to condemn others. Perhaps your brother might still be with us if those who knew him best had been more tolerant.'
'You have no right!' Farr cried, his anger blazing hot. 'You know nothing!'
'Enough!' The Haufuth stood between them. 'I thought you two had resolved your differences.
Can't this wait until we're somewhere safe?'
The two antagonists glared at each other and lapsed into silence. For some time the group walked briskly northwards, along the road. Clear sky opened up above them.
'So how do we stop the burning?' Leith asked eventually, glancing back behind him. 'Surely that is the most important question?'
'That, and then to decide what we do about the thing
you carry in your hand,' Phemanderac stated firmly. 'We could spend our time battling the flames,
Similar Books
