Chapter 10

Finding Hama was difficult; there were wanted posters of the man all over the town, and if anyone knew the man, they weren’t saying. Still, with Darras’s abilities enhanced by Erren, he soon overheard of a potential area to look into.

“Not a place I’d have expected to find a man leading a planned revolt,” Darras murmured, looking at the pristine surroundings of the noble quarter. “Still, at least it’s not sealed off as Sulimas is.”

‘Sulimas has always been a potential powder keg, ’ Erren explained. ‘The merchants and nobles have abused the people there constantly until recently.’

“Recently?”

‘The ending of the slave trade has lessened the political power of the elite, and they no longer have the resources or manpower to intimidate the commoners.’

“Good.”

Darras found the tavern mentioned in passing by the two conversationalists who thought they were unheard. It was immediately apparent to Darras that something was going on because of the tensions rising. As soon as he entered, he walked into a pool of silence up to the barkeeper to order an ale. Moving to a corner where he couldn’t be flanked, Darras sipped his ale as he and Erren listened to the low conversations around them.

“Found him, ’ Erren informed Darras. ‘Opposite corner, talking to a couple of men. He has a bodyguard, too.

“Let’s go have a word,” Darras smiled, picking up his tankard and heading to where Hama sat.

The one Erren said was a bodyguard rose to intercept Darras, though he was avoided easily as Darras reached the table.

“May I have a word?” Darras asked.

“And who might you be?” one of the men asked.

“Darras Blain, agent of Erren, who would seek to give you some advice,” Darras replied, causing the tensions to ratchet up at the table and the surrounding tables.

“A spy!” the bodyguard snarled and tried to throw a punch, only to miss and be punched in the stomach by Darras, causing him to collapse.

“Spies don’t announce themselves,” Darras sighed. “All my goddess wants is to give Hama some advice; it’s up to him if he heeds it, though I advise he does so.”

“We don’t know any Hama,” the man replied in shocked silence.

“Odd reaction from your bodyguard then,” Darras shrugged.

“Let’s say we could pass a message on; what would you tell this man?”

“That he has not spread his net wide enough,” Darras replied. “The merchant Rint is just a front for the slave trade; Hama needs to go after the real head, Commander Juls, and there are others too,” Darras replied.

“Juls?” the man Darras knew to be Hama asked. “He commands the town guard but isn’t involved with the trade.”

“He’s in Rint’s pocket, paid to look the other way in some circumstances and to break heads in others,” Darras replied. “You go after Rint; Juls will intervene.”

“We have the backing of the guards,” Hama frowned. “Or so we thought.”

“They will obey Juls,” Darras shrugged. “He has an iron grip on the local guards.”

“This man may be right,” one of the others added. “We have had no guarantees the town guard will step aside.”

“Wishful thinking will not free Pilth from the slave trade,” Darras warned. “Nor will your current plans work.”

“Why would we trust you?”

“Because Erren wants to see Asul freed from the slave trade,” Darras shrugged.

“I do not trust the Errenites,” one of the men spat. “Rustav is the one to trust!”

“Who freed the Elves?” Darras asked mildly. “Who denounces the slave trade openly now?”

“The temple of Rustav opposes the slave trade,” Hama countered.

“Openly?”

“Er ... no, at least not in Pilth,” Hama conceded.

“Yet the temples of Erren and Hallis do, as well as the smiths of Pelegard,” Darras replied. “You may not care for their views, but at least you know what they stand for.”

“The followers of weaker gods should not concern us,” one of the men at the table declared.

“Rustav is not in the scheme of things greater than Erren,” Darras replied. “I should know; I’ve met both.”

“You have met Rustav?” the man asked, looking shocked.

“Twice,” Darras replied. “The last time was to assist in a plea for help in Timun when an artefact was triggered.”

“And Rustav asked you?” the man scoffed.

“No, he asked Erren, as he doesn’t have an agent, and she does.”

“I don’t believe you!”

“Your choice,” Darras shrugged. “All I’m doing is passing on advice, not giving orders.”

“Let’s leave the comparisons aside,” Hama said, acting as peacemaker. “You mentioned others who will oppose those who would see Pilth ban the slave trade.”

‘Got him, he’s using his brain now, ’ Erren informed Darras.

Darras handed over a comprehensive list naming various merchants and civic leaders. The list was also annotated with details on what part they would play in opposition to Hama and his group.

“Deal with them, and you won’t have issues with the capital,” Darras said.

“Interesting list,” Hama finally said. “What if we ignore it?”

“Many deaths of innocents,” Darras replied. “Also, there’s a chance you won’t succeed unless you deal with Juls.”

“We have to kill all these?”

“Only if they try to kill you ... which many of them will,” Darras explained. “The majority just need to be neutralised to prevent them from presenting a united opposition to your cause.”

“I know many of these; they have scryers.”

“Does this Hama have any magic users?” Darras asked obliquely.

“I’m told he has a couple,” one of the listeners said.

Darras handed over a spell scroll. “If this is used within the temple of Rustav, it will prevent the operation of scryers.”

“Why should we believe that?”

“You shouldn’t,” Darras chuckled. “Have the magic users check it, and others study the list I gave you.”

“We’ll see,” Hama replied thoughtfully.

“Good luck,” Darras replied, rose, and left.

‘Well done, my love, ’ Erren said. ‘They don’t like the idea of collaborating with me, but Hama is not stupid; now he’s had his eyes opened to how limited his plans were.’

“Yes, killing the main slave trader wasn’t going to cut it,” Darras nodded as he made his way to the coach depot.

‘Not with the others capable of mounting a united opposition, ’ Erren agreed.

“So, he’ll succeed now?”

‘He will, though it will be delayed by a month as the checks he’ll make will confirm who the real opposition to the revolt will be.’

“Good,” Darras smiled as he paid for passage to Sulimas and the gateway.

“Welcome back, my love,” Erren greeted Darras joyfully as he appeared on the lawn.

“Everything on track?” Darras asked as they made their way to the bathing area.

“Yes, you forced Hama to think about consequences and who his actual opposition might be,” Erren smiled.

“A lot of reluctance to accept they had possible allies out there, too,” Darras said thoughtfully.

“The temple of Rustav is pretty isolationist as the other faiths tend to dispute their teachings, some of which aren’t of Rustav but wishful thinking by zealous followers.

“And Rustav puts up with it?”

“It attracts a certain type of person—one who looks for hidden knowledge and mysteries in life. Plus, having a god who, in theory, can smite your enemies with lightning is a selling point,” Erren giggled. “Not that he ever has ... or is allowed to.”

“So, Rustav is big in Asul and Crusal?”

“Two opposing branches of worshippers argue a lot if they meet.”

“Another reason the two countries don’t get along,” Darras chuckled.

“Yes, and it won’t change for a while.”

“What’s next?”

“Fordel, and keeping an eye on the battle as there’s a possibility Colanthus has found an effective champion,” Erren replied.

Only a possibility?” Darras asked.

“A mercenary captain, so unlikely to be heeded by Tobil, but you never know.”

“Still capable of surprising you,” Darras nodded. “Particularly if he goes after the leadership figures of Rachtelin.”

“That’s my thinking, too,” Erren nodded.

“How long until I go?” Darras chuckled, looking directly at the woman he loved.

“A couple of days,” Erren smirked, knowing what Darras alluded to.

“Sounds like a plan.”

Darras stepped through the gateway into Balat’s village and acknowledged the Woodnymph guarding it. He was then joined by Traskis, who was to guide him to Jertin and the Rachtelinian army. The journey took a day, though Darras knew it would have taken him four to five days without Traskis’s aid and the use of the forest folks’ hidden paths. Once there, Darras observed the Rachtelinian army, noting its professionalism and discipline, which were evident even when encamped. His spyglass showed a different story for the Fordelians, though that did not make them any less deadly should they gain the upper hand.

“I can’t see any mercenaries,” Darras said, speaking to Erren.

‘They are definitely there, ’ Erren replied.

“Want me to look around?” Traskis asked.

“Could you ensure the Fordelians aren’t infiltrating the scrub behind the Rachtelinians, Traskis?” Darras requested.

“Yes, my friend,” the Elf replied. “I’m on my way.”

Traskis ghosted away as Darras continued to observe the potential battleground. Noting the preparations the Rachtelinians had made, including markers for the bowmen. The only place of concealment was the scrub behind the Rachtelinian position, and that’s where Darras figured some of the mercenaries had to be, or at least planned to be.

‘You’re likely right, though Jertin will have watchers there, ’ Erren agreed.