Akiri: The Scepter of Xarbaal Page 10

  Akiri took a table near a door at the rear of the tavern. For appearances’ sake, he ordered a mug of ale, though only pretended to drink. Judging by the bitter smell drifting up from the dark liquid, it was a choice well made.

  “Oi! Monk,” a voice called after a little time had passed and people had come and gone.

  Akiri could smell the foul breath of the man standing behind him. A hand shoved his shoulder.

  “I’m talking to you, monk. Didn’t you hear me? Or are you one of them eunuch types that can’t speak?”

  Akiri turned his head. “I speak, drunkard.”

  The man staggered forward and slammed his hand onto the tabletop. “Then why don’t you tell me what the fuck you’re doing here?” He was a full head shorter than Akiri, with an unkempt beard and a mouthful of rotting teeth. A rusted dagger was tucked in his belt. “Answer me, monk.”

  Akiri’s hand shot out, his fingers clamping down in a vice-like grip around the man’s testicles. The man let out a loud grunt and fell to his knees.

  “Allow me to educate you,” Akiri told him in a quiet, even tone. “A eunuch has no balls. They can speak just fine. And though I am no eunuch myself, if you do not move on” – he tightened his grip, causing the man to wail and pound his fist on the table – “you will certainly become one. Do you understand?”

  Unable to say anything, his victim nodded furiously. Akiri shoved him hard to the floor. The man lay unmoving, hands cupped around his groin as he moaned out some unanswered prayer.

  With brawls a common occurrence in such places, the spectacle had passed largely unnoticed. Only one man seemed to have taken any real interest. Akiri regarded him from beneath his hood. He was much better dressed than most of the crowd, and the blade hanging from his side was well crafted. His dark hair had obviously been groomed, and his hawk-like features gave him an almost aristocratic look.

  Two men dragged the injured drunk from the floor and helped him back to the bar. Before long, Akiri could hear him swearing that he would Gut that bastard over there like a trout. His companions were trying to talk him out of it.

  “It’s bad luck to fight a monk,” said one.

  “He’s no fucking monk,” he retorted through grunts of pain. “Bet on it.”

  “Let it go, Varyn,” said the second friend. “You shouldn’t have gone over there. Besides, your wife said you had better not get into any more fights.”

  Akiri considered the situation. He could hear the anger building in Varyn’s every word. And someone so drunk and stupid was generally incapable of calming down. This was confirmed when his sharp hearing picked up the sound of a blade being pulled from Varyn’s belt.

  Only one set of boots was approaching. Clearly, Varyn’s companions were not quite so foolish. Akiri waited until the man was only a few feet away; then, just as the knife was being thrust, he spun from his chair. Still twisting to increase the force, his fist crashed into Varyn’s jaw, sending him sprawling.

  It would be best not to kill him, Akiri decided. Without knowing the local laws, he could find himself in a very unpleasant position. Instead, he stepped on his attacker’s wrist and twisted the blade from his grasp.

  “You should go now,” he said calmly, stepping away and tucking the weapon into the folds of his robe.

  Varyn glared up at him with hate-filled eyes. His jaw was shattered, and three of his rotten teeth were now decorating the floor beside him. The two men who had been trying to calm him came over. When Akiri turned to face them, they quickly held up their hands.

  “We don’t want no trouble,” said the man on his left.

  Silently, they dragged Varyn to his feet and bundled him out through the tavern door. Akiri sat back down and scanned the room. This second disturbance had gathered a little more attention.

  “And to think I was afraid you’d get hurt.”

  He turned to see the young waitress standing behind him, smiling broadly. The commotion had caused his drink to topple over; rancid ale was now soaking the tabletop. The girl quickly tossed down a rag and began sopping up the mess.

  A few minutes later, she returned with another ale. “And this one is free if you do something for me,” she said.

  Akiri glanced up. “And what might that be?”

  “Let me see your face.”

  He reached into his robe and retrieved a silver coin worth twenty times the price of the ale. “You can keep this if you can tell me where I might find lodging.”

  The girl knelt down and gave him a seductive smile. “Show me your face and maybe you can stay with me. I’ve never fucked a monk before.”

  The idea of bedding this woman was not exactly enticing. Though quite pretty, he was unaccustomed to women of low breeding. However, given his current circumstances, it seemed he might need to lower his standards temporarily. He pushed back his hood.

  “Strong and handsome,” she said with obvious approval. “Are you really a monk?”

  “Of course I am.”

  The girl tucked the coin into her bodice. “I’m Minnie. Stick around. I’ll sort you out.”

  Akiri nodded stoically. “I would like that.”

  She touched the end of his nose with her finger before returning to her duties. For a moment or two, Akiri grumbled inwardly at such familiarity. As when dealing with the ill-mannered palace guard, he was forced to remind himself that for now at least, he was no longer the commander of the Dul’Buhar. He was simply a servant of the king who had been sent on a mission. And until he got his bearings in this unfamiliar territory, he would need a means of remaining unnoticed. This girl could possibly provide that.

  The well-dressed customer he had seen watching him earlier was now smirking in his direction. Akiri pulled the hood back over his head and continued to observe. A minute later, the man rose and crossed over to his table.

  “Can I join you?” he asked.

  “For what purpose?”

  The man raised an eyebrow. “If you’re going to pass yourself off as a monk, then you need to do a little better than that.” He regarded Akiri for a moment. “Acharian, I’d say, from the accent. A soldier from the way you carry yourself. And a man in need of help, if my guess is correct.”

  Akiri met the newcomer’s eyes. “And you are?”

  “My name is Geridia,” he said, smiling.

  Akiri pointed to the chair opposite. “Please sit.”

  He did as invited and leaned casually back in the chair. A moment later Minnie returned, a frown on her face. “I’ll not be drinking the dog piss you serve here, my dear,” Geridia told her. He looked over to Akiri. “And I suggest you don’t either. Last time I drank here, I nearly shit myself to death the next morning.”

  “If you’re not drinking, get the fuck out,” she snapped back, her eyes darting possessively over to Akiri.

  Geridia reached into his pocket and pulled out a copper coin. “Here you are. Now hurry along.” He pushed the coin across the table.

  Minnie picked it up and placed a hand on Akiri’s shoulder. “Don’t you go running off anywhere, my handsome one.”

  He did not look at her, nor did he say anything. After waiting a few seconds unsuccessfully for a response, Minnie moved slowly away, grumbling to herself.

  “Now, what help do you imagine I might be needing?” Akiri asked.

  Geridia spread his hands. “That is what I am hoping to discover, for the situation is most intriguing.” He smiled. “A man walks into the nastiest tavern in the city dressed as a monk. And please don’t bother lying. You are no more a monk than I am. He’s carrying a sword beneath his cloak, but when some lowlife tries to gut him, rather than use this weapon, he merely breaks his jaw and disarms him.” He steepled his hands beneath his chin. “I would say you are a man in need of help.”

  “And I suppose you are the helpful soul I’m looking for?” Akiri decided to forgo talking around the matter. It was clear that Geridia was no fool.

  “Possibly,” he replied. “It all depends.”

&n
bsp; “On what?”

  “On what you want, naturally. And what you are willing to do in return.”

  Akiri studied the man, wondering what his motive might be. If it was gold, he had plenty of that with him, thanks to Killian, but from the way Geridia was attired and the aloof manner in which he presented himself, he very much doubted he had that kind of exchange in mind.

  “But these are things we should discuss in more pleasant surroundings,” Geridia continued. “What do you say?”

  Akiri glanced across the tavern. Minnie was eyeing him closely.

  “Oh, don’t worry about her,” Geridia added. “If you are in need of lodging, I can arrange that. And I can certainly provide you with more appealing company than Minnie. She’ll probably try to slit your throat in your sleep and steal your gold anyway.”

  Akiri considered the offer for a moment and then nodded.

  Geridia smiled. “Excellent.” He hopped up from his chair. Come, my new friend. Let us seek more civilized entertainment.”

  Together, they walked toward the door. Minnie called after him, but Akiri paid her no heed. He suspected Geridia was probably right about her motives. More than one soldier from their camp had been lured to his end by a woman like her seeking the gold in his purse.

  The sun was nearly down as they wound their way east through the streets. Before long, they were in a far more affluent part of the city. Lavish manors surrounded by high walls dominated the area, and elegantly designed lamps on street corners gave out a warm, reassuring glow. Nearly all of the well-dressed gentlemen and ladies out enjoying their evening stroll seemed to be making a point of displaying their wealth and status by having an unnecessarily large retinue of servants following close behind to cater to their every whim.

  “Quite different from Acharia, yes?” remarked Geridia.

  “We have many such places there,” Akiri responded. “Though built in a different style.”

  His companion exaggerated a shudder. “Acharian architecture is utterly atrocious. No style at all, in my opinion. All function and very little form. Ah, well, I suppose that’s what happens when there is never-ending war in your land.”

  A stab of irritation shot through Akiri. He did not enjoy hearing his home being criticized – regardless of whether or not it was true. Feeling compelled to rise to its defense, he said: “Clearly you have not been within the palace of Gol’Naruth. Its magnificence is famed throughout the world.”

  “Impressive, perhaps. Built to be impregnable from all accounts. But to me it lacks any real elegance. Though admittedly, I have only seen it from the outside.”

  “Then you should not be so quick to judge.”

  Geridia held up his hand. “I meant no offense. Each man has his own tastes.”

  They passed through the residential neighborhood and moved on to a street of shops, most of them dealing in fashionable clothing, jewelry, and other items of high value. In the midst of all these premises, significant by its lack of commercial aspect, stood a two-story building of gleaming white stone. A low hedge surrounded a well-tended garden split down the center by a path of highly polished marble. Just above the oak door was a sign that read: Prince of Polimore.

  “This is my absolute favorite place in the entire city,” Geridia enthused. He paused to look Akiri up and down. “Though I’m afraid you are a touch underdressed.” He flicked a casual wrist. “Little matter. But do please take off that ghastly robe.”

  Akiri did as instructed, though the travel worn shirt and pants revealed were little better suited.

  Geridia regarded him, smiling. “Quite the brute, I see. Yes, indeed.”

  The door opened a moment before they reached it. A man in a white satin outfit stood just inside. A welcoming smile formed when he saw Geridia, but it quickly faded when Akiri walked in just behind him.

  “Please take my companion’s robe and stow it away, would you, Lom?” Geridia asked.

  Akiri handed the robe over.

  “And your sword, if you please,” Lom insisted.

  “I think I’ll keep it with me,” Akiri told him, his eyes daring the man to take it.

  “It’s fine, Lom,” Geridia said quickly. “I’ll take full responsibility.”

  Lom’s eyes darted from Geridia to Akiri, then back again. “Very well, sir. But please be sure he minds his manners.”

  Geridia laughed. “Oh, Lom. I would never allow anything to happen here. You know that.”

  Lom bowed and gestured for them to proceed. “Yes, sir. Of course.”

  The foyer was decorated with an array of masterfully sculpted statues depicting men and women in various stages of copulation. The murals and paintings on the walls followed a similar theme. At the far end, a broad double door opened into a spacious dining hall filled nearly to capacity with richly dressed men and women. Their laughter and convivial chatter mixed easily with music from a lute being played by a highly skilled musician. The tune was intricate, almost seductive.

  Instead of entering this room, Geridia turned left to another door which led through to an outdoor dining area set beneath a large pavilion. The lawn was perfectly manicured and surrounded by dozens of delicate flower bushes. Here it was relatively quiet – occupied by no more than a dozen people. They took a table in the far corner away from inquisitive ears.

  The moment they were seated, a young blond boy hurried across the lawn bearing a bottle of wine and two glasses.

  “Thank you, Deri,” said Geridia. He looked to Akiri. “Are you hungry?”

  “No, not really.”

  Geridia frowned. “A man with such big muscles needs to eat. Please, I insist.” Without awaiting a reply, he nodded to Deri, who scurried away.

  “If you don’t mind,” said Akiri, trying to sound as polite as possible, “why have you brought me here?”

  Geridia glanced over to the entrance and his face immediately lit up. “Ah, she’s here.”

  Akiri followed his gaze to see a woman wearing a loose-fitting tunic and pants walking over with long, deliberate strides. A wicked-looking dagger was strapped to each hip. Her shoulder-length red hair was tied in a tight ponytail, which didn’t diminish the intensity of her emerald green eyes.

  “Where have you been?” she demanded, sliding into a chair between the two men.

  “You worry too much,” said Geridia. “I was fine on my own.” He gestured to Akiri. “You see? I was well protected.”

  “Protecting you is my job,” she snapped. “Not some…” She looked at Akiri disdainfully. “Whatever you are.”

  “My dear, this is…” He raised an eyebrow. “I never did catch your name.”

  “I am Akiri.”

  “You see?” said Geridia. “I’ve been just fine.” He smiled at Akiri. “Rena worries so. She thinks the entire city is out to get me.”

  “You employ a woman as a bodyguard?”

  Rena sneered. “Don’t tell me… you’re Acharian. Fucking savages.”

  “Rena is quite capable, I assure you,” Geridia said. “She has saved my life quite a few times.”

  “You’re wasting your breath,” she said, eyeing Akiri with utter disdain. “Acharians only see women as possessions. Things to be used for their pleasure.”

  “You are wrong,” Akiri retorted. “Acharians value their women greatly.”

  “Yes, I know. As one values a horse or a sheep.” She took Geridia’s hand. “Come. Let me take you home. You can do better than him.”

  “You misunderstand, my dear,” he told her. “This is not a romantic outing.” He regarded Akiri with appreciation. “That is not to say I wouldn’t have entertained the idea. But no. I have other business with my new friend.”

  Rena threw up her hands. “Oh, no! Not that again.”

  Geridia sighed. “Yes, that again.”

  “You are wrong, Rena,” said Akiri. His mind was still lingering on what she had said about Acharian attitudes toward women.

  She sniffed. “And what exactly am I wrong about?”

/>   “Though it is true that a few Acharians see their women as possessions, most do not. We are a nation at war. Our women mend the wounded and care for the sick. They work the fields and mind the home. While the men are away, they are all that stands between Acharia and chaos. Without them, we would be lost. That they do not serve alongside men in battle is the only thing I would see as being a shortcoming.”

  Rena was clearly taken aback. “You would allow women to serve as soldiers?”

  Akiri shrugged. “If they are up to the challenge, why not? Many I have known would make perfectly capable commanders. Far more so than some of the incompetent fools I have found myself serving with. A strong arm is one aspect of soldiering, but it is not the most important.”

  He paused to look her directly in the eye before continuing. “If you were offended by my surprise at you being Geridia’s bodyguard, you should know that it was not because I believed you incapable of doing the job well. Far from it. It was that, given his obvious choice in intimate companions, I imagined he would have chosen someone more appealing to his nature.”

  This suggestion sent Geridia into a fit of laughter. “He’s got a point, you know,” he giggled. “A nubile young warrior might be just what I need. Yes, I’m imagining it already.”

  Rena snorted her derision. “Marshum would kill you in your sleep. So you had better get that thought right out of your thick head as quick as you like.”

  Geridia’s amusement faded. “Ah, yes. My dearest love would not appreciate it at all, I think. I can only assume that he was the one who told you I had slipped out of the house.” He waved a dismissive hand. “But enough of this. We have business to discuss.” He turned his attention to Akiri. “I have a task for you. One I sadly cannot attend to myself. But first I would like to know what assistance it is that you need.”

  “I need to gain entry into the king’s palace,” Akiri replied. “I seek a man named Tuvarius.”

  Geridia’s face noticeably tightened. His tone became hushed. “And why would you wish to see him?”

  “That is my business. Not yours.”

  “When you need me to help you contact a man like Tuvarius, it becomes my business. No one is granted an audience with him. And I mean no one.”