Chapter 59

Darras and Balat returned to Erren’s domain, Balat’s presence having been requested as Doriel would be there. Upon their arrival, the two goddesses greeted them warmly as they made their way to the bathing area, where several of the gods Darras knew were assembled. At first, the two were simply cleaned down, though it was apparent that this would be some sort of meeting to discuss future events and how they could be influenced.

“The likelihood of a civil war in Rachtelin has moved from eight years to possibly three because of the machinations of Colanthus,” Erren informed the group. “No doubt our dark brother and his minions will also involve themselves.”

“What are the ramifications of Colanthus directly involving himself?” Darras asked.

“Better tactics from the King’s Council, for one,” Pelegard replied. “Also, picked champions will arise as he’ll imbue them with his spirit, and they will be strong, smart and tough to kill.”

“I doubt they will adapt horse archers though, more likely negotiate for better armour for their knights,” Osruit added.

“So they are likely to dip into their funds?” Darras enquired.

“Not immediately; they’ll hit the royal treasury first,” Doriel replied. “Nor, with Colanthus backing them, will they be inclined towards mercy as atrocities beget atrocities.”

“Or so he will be hoping,” Erren added grimly. “Plus, Rachtelin will be left almost bankrupt if the war lasts too long.”

“I suspect if Rigilo can effectively deal with their armies, the atrocities can be kept to a minimum; he simply commands the better forces,” Crannok stated. “Whilst I can see the strands leading to this, the trigger point would be the death of the King, and he remains reasonably healthy.”

“The actions of Duke Cranagh have changed this, with the Council now openly admitting support for the accession of Joffar,” Erren explained. “The King, however, will baulk at naming him, and he will likely be removed as an inconvenience.”

“Ah, yes, now I understand,” Crannok nodded sagely.

“I doubt, if things go to plan, that this will be a long war,” Hallis mused. “That said, the biggest danger will not come from the fighting but the machinations of those gods in opposition to us.”

“I take it, Balat, and I will be busy?” Darras asked with a chuckle.

“Yes, both protecting Rigilo and his supporters and dealing with several countries who might hope to take advantage of the civil war by seizing territory or aiding the King’s Council,” Erren replied.

“Ah, back to Fordel?”

“Seems likely.”

“Neither the forest nor the water folk can get directly involved in any fighting, though I’ll request the forest folk to aid refugees and give them protection in the woods,” Doriel added.

“I can guarantee the water used by Rigilo’s side will be pure and fresh,” Osruit offered. “Other than that, my people will not get involved.”

“Healers Guild and my priests will remain strictly neutral; I can do no other,” Hallis semi-apologised.

“That’s understandable; I would have it no other way,” Erren replied. “My priests will also remain neutral.”

“We need to do something about the Black Guild,” Crannok stated. “You can be sure they will be unleashed against Rigilo and his supporters without delay.”

“That will be Darras’s next mission, along with Amina’s friends,” Erren replied. “We won’t get them all, but they will be in no position to go on the offensive once we’re finished.”

“I’m to draw them out?” Darras asked.

“Yes, they declared you as a priority target of opportunity for all available Guild members,” Erren replied.

“Ah, they’ll be obliged to try and take me down if I appear in Rachtelin?”

“Yes, as they did the last time you were there, particularly as tales of your exploits against them are getting around,” Erren replied with a smile.

“Wonder who is putting them around?” Darras chuckled, looking at Pelegard.

“Least I can do,” Pelegard laughed. “My people not under service to the King’s Council will not be aiding them if they can safely do so.”

“I take it the armour works in the capital will suddenly be divested of skilled armourers?” Tsumi enquired.

“Yes, I’m already encouraging my best to move to Miront, Alvastros or Coolos.”

“Same with my healers, neutral as they are,” Hallis added.

“The biggest danger once it starts will be to Alvastros,” Darras informed the gods, pointing it out on a projected image. “Supporters of the King’s Council surround it, and they’ll have to deal with it or risk it becoming an issue to their own lands.”

“Not an easy nut to crack,” Pelegard nodded. “But yes, situated where it is, they’ll have to deal with it or at least neutralise it.”

“That’s why building alliances and forces will have to be the watchword of Rigilo and his supporters,” Erren replied. “Keeping armies in the field will prevent an effective siege.”

“It will. Despite Count Alros making the place more liveable for the people, the outer and inner walls are imposing, more than enough to resist for months of sustained effort.”

“I blessed their crops, as I did with Miront, Coolos and other supporters of Rigilo,” Erren added. “Starving them out will not be easy.”

“I take it you also blessed the others if asked?” Doriel asked.

“Yes, but not to the extent of those I support,” Erren smiled.

“Understandable.”

“So you want me to go after the Black Guild?” Darras asked Erren several hours later as they sat simply enjoying each other’s company after the others had left.

“Yes, just over thirty of them left, and they could pose quite the threat to Rigilo and his supporters,” Erren replied.

“Doubt they’ll all be in the same place at the same time,” Darras stated thoughtfully.

“They won’t; some will be performing their duties as bodyguards to the King’s Council.”

“My appearance in Rachtelin will draw some of them out, I should imagine.”

“Some, yes; I’ll also want you to deal with their information network of scryers in each gateway town.”

“I can see why I’ll need Amina’s people,” Darras chuckled.

“You will; they’ll be able to gain entry silently to these people and deal with them,” Erren replied. “Just be careful; most of these people will not be easy to kill.”

“I will be.”

Darras stepped through the gateway of the town of Torgel and paid his two silvers’ anonymity ‘tax’ before exiting the gateway building, spotting several watchers as well as Chillik from Amina’s people. Darras suspected that no more than two were of the Black Guild; the rest would be locally hired muscle and dangerous enough, though not as much as the professionals. Knowing what he had to do, Darras headed away from the gateway and towards the centre of the town, where he hoped to draw out all those opposed to him and, with the aid of Amina’s people, also deal with the observers. The trap, such as it was, was sprung as soon as Darras reached the main thoroughfare through the town when he was charged by a small mob all holding cudgels or, in the case of two of them, knives.

‘One of them with a knife is Black Guild,’ Erren informed Darras.

“Got it,” Darras chuckled grimly as he used his stave to take the fight to the thugs, relying on his armour to protect him from any blows that might get through.

Again, the extensive training Darras had undergone with Erren came to the fore as his stave shot out to hit the nearest thug in the forehead before swinging in an arc to smash into one of the knife wielders. One of the thugs tried to grab Darras’s arm, only to discover that Darras was far more robust than he looked, and his garb was smooth enough to make holding it quite tricky and, hence, was quickly thrown off.

‘The assassin is making his move,’ Erren warned as the other knife-wielder darted in, only for Darras to use his stave to punch into his exposed chest, collapsing the breastbone and ribs to pulverise his heart.

Darras made short work of the others before moving away from the area, not wishing to face the town guard yet. Nemmos joined him for a few seconds as information was exchanged.

“The observer is down, and we know where the scryer is,” Nemmos stated. “Want it dealt with?”

“Yes, any other assassins around?”

“We’re still looking, we suspect so.”

“I’ll keep wandering; good luck,” Darras replied before Nemmos left.

Darras was heading towards the town gate when the attack happened. Had not Erren warned him, it was likely Darras would have died by the magically enhanced, poison-tipped and magically cursed kunai blade carried by the assassin. As it was, with Erren’s aid, Darras spun to the side and used his blade to slice into the assassin’s skull and drop him on the spot.

“Quite a talented man,” Darras observed to no one in particular.

“He was indeed,” Amina stated as she emerged from a gathering crowd of onlookers.

“Well met, Amina,” Darras acknowledged her presence.

“Well met my friend,” Amina replied with a smile. “We got the scryer; now best you leave.”

“See you in the capital,” Darras nodded.

“Not until we’re done there.”

Rachtelin, the capital as opposed to the kingdom, was tense. The open split and hostility between the King’s Council and Prince Rigilo had not gone down well with the ordinary folk who generally had no time for their corrupt ‘betters’. Despite this, the bribes kept flowing, and Darras, using an assumed name, was permitted easy anonymous entry. Erren had informed him that the headquarters of the Black Guild was situated in the capital, and a small majority of the assassins were based there. Also, destroying the records held at the headquarters and destroying the command scrying stone would leave the Guild with no ability to coordinate across Rachtelin ... along with killing the leadership, naturally.

Darras already knew several of the Thieves Guild were in the capital two weeks before his turning up and were actively working on gathering information from local sources who, despite the Black Guild’s reputation, pretty much knew where they were and who went in there. Hence, as Darras wandered the streets seemingly aimlessly, the path behind him became littered with dead informants and observers, though as yet no assassins.

“They’re coming,” Tarmeet warned as he walked past Darras.

Darras did not acknowledge and kept on his way, deliberately heading to a spot Erren had recommended to him and the Thieves Guild as a good spot for an ambush of their own. Hence, Darras moved into a quiet square courtyard and moved to a corner of it to prevent his being flanked before turning to face the twenty assassins now filing into the yard.

“Hmm, a decent challenge for once,” Darras mocked, making the man leading the assassins frown. “Should have just cut your losses with Druli.”