Chapter 80: Bridges

Chapter 80: Bridges

Xerxes heart pounded into his throat as he raced down the stairs and the taverns common room. He slowed to a walk near the door, taking a deep breath to calm himself.

He stepped out onto the street as nonchalantly as possible. Eyes darting left and right, he noted the locations of the city guard at either intersection. None paid attention to the paper bird that had just plummeted from the barred window of the prison. He glanced at the prison itself and noted no signs of activity.

The paper bird was lying in the gutter. He picked it up. Keeping his gaze straight ahead, he crumbled it and shoved it in his pocket. He was tempted to leave the inner city, except that he had just told the server he would return. If he didnt, wouldnt that arouse more possible suspicion? Looking up and down the street again, he strolled back inside.

If someones watching me, I couldnt possibly look more suspicious.

He didnt see the server, but the ale was waiting at his table. After taking a sip he sat down and waited for his heart to stop pounding. He half-expected guards to pour out of the prison and rush at him. It didnt happen.

A few minutes later, he pulled the paper out of his pocket and flattened it out.

The first thing he did was look to the bottom for a signature. There was a stylized version of the first letter in Gandashs name. Xerxes mouth twitched in a smile. He started reading.

X,

Be careful. Loyalists control this part of the city and they dont like us. You need to get me out of here, but dont try to break me out. Sheik Hatim is already negotiating my release. Get in touch with Seer Simeon or High Seer Musaru and offer your help. If possible, arrange to visit me in person. I have things to explain about the mission.

G

Xerxes read the paper again, then folded it up as many times as he could manage and stuck it in his boot. He finished his ale, left some money on the table, and left.

He made his way slowly back through the inner wall, then went to Zaidus.

Kashtiliash lounged at a table with a half-finished tankard. Xerxes sat with him. Given the lunch hour was approaching, they ordered some food.

Where are the girls? Xerxes asked.

Out asking questions. Should be back soon. You get anything good?

Yeah. Making sure no one was watching, he took out the note, unfolded it, and gave it to Kashtiliash. Around that time, Katayoun and Dasi entered.

The bearded mage read the paper and grunted. He gave the paper back to Xerxes. Very open-ended.

At least we have a direction now, Xerxes said as the two female mages sat down with them. I guess step one is to get in there and talk to Gandy.

Katayoun put her hand on his thigh and squeezed. You found Gandash?

Sort of. He gave her the note. She read it and passed it to Dasi.

Conforms to the new information we got, Katayoun said. Nothing worth mentioning at this point from us, at least as far as Gandy goes. We do know more about the political situation, though. For example, the High Seer Musaru mentioned in the note is Sheik Hatims principal adviser. If you have to talk to her, youre going to need to go across the river.

I saw bridges in the inner city, Xerxes said. Do they just let people go across?

Basically, yes, Dasi answered. But people associated with either factionmages, soldiers, whateverarent allowed through. I also got the impression they have lists of other people who they screen.

Like us? Kashtiliash asked.

I doubt it, Katayoun said. We didnt get any indication people know about us. Gandash and the others mustve kept their mouths shut.

The food arrived, cutting their discussion short.

Xerxes washed down some couscous with a mouthful of ale. Im thinking we need to find a new place to stay. This place isnt bad, but were on the wrong side of the river.

I agree, Dasi said. If Gandys here for Sheik Hatim, that means were basically in enemy territory.

Xerxes stepped onto the right-hand path, joining a line of about eight people. As the line moved forward, he realized that the soldiers on the other side were indeed stopping every person to ask questions.

The wait was maddening. Soon, he was next in line to be questioned, so he fidgeted as the soldiers about ten feet away talked to a young woman. He noticed that the soldiers here had the same uniforms. He could only guess it meant that the loyalist faction controlled this bridge entirely.

The soldiers eventually waved him over.

Name and purpose for crossing? one of the soldiers asked.

Tamharu son of Alak, he said. Im looking for a sword upgrade, and I heard theres some nice stuff in Market Warren.

You study the Epitome? a voice asked, high and grating.

Xerxes turned to see a young man entering the facility.

If Xerxes was to guess, he was probably about the same age as himself. But after the traveling, the combat, and the loss of life Xerxes had seen, there was something about this young mans sparkling eyes that made him seem immature.

But what made Xerxes heart thump was the young mans white, conical hat. And his robes, which were the same type that Enusat and Jad had worn when he first met them. It was the Jehannemid fashion for mages. This newcomer was a mage!

What was more worthy of note was the fact that the young mage had a longsword attached to a fancy sheath on his back. Xerxes impression had always been that people with sheathes like that were serious students of the sword.

Seer Eskinder, the guards said, and to a man they stepped back and bowed their heads respectfully.

Eskinder stopped about five cubits from Xerxes. I asked you a question.

Sorry, Sir Mage, Xerxes said hastily. Er, Ive heard of the Epitome. And I even took a few lessons. But I cant claim to be a student of it.

Is that so?

Xerxes glanced at Eskinders feet, and noticed that his stance was wide. His knees werent bent, but all it would take would be for him to slide his front foot forward, and he could draw his sword and be in the Skyward guard.

Thats right, Xerxes said. I wish I had the time for the Epitome, but my duties Xerxes scrambled for a suitable story, and cursed himself for not preparing something in advance as a fishmonger make it hard to spend time on swordplay. I keep the sword mostly for show and fun.

Many do in this city, Eskinder said. Mind if I look at your blade?

Xerxes had the feeling hed made a mistake, though he wasnt sure what it was. And he felt hesitant. He didnt want to hand over his weapon to this mage. But Eskinder had worded it more like an order than a request. And even if it had been a request, was it smart to refuse?

Of course, Xerxes said, letting his sword slide down a bit, then grabbing it by the base of the blade and handing it to Eskinder.

The young mage smiled and stepped forward. His eyes seemed locked on Xerxes as he took the sword. He stepped back.

Xerxes stood in place, his heart pounding. Come on, look at the thing and hand it back to me. Then let me go. Nothing to see here.

This is a nice weapon, Eskinder said. He rubbed at the blade. Theres a lot of oil and dirt on it. He rubbed some more of the blade clean. Nice steel. Either youre an idiot who doesnt know how to care for a weapon, or he looked back up at Xerxes you didnt want anyone realizing you have a very quality sword. This is the kind of weapon you dont generally see on a place like Jehannemid. Id expect someone from Ira to have a sword as nice as this. Maybe even someone from Ku-Aya. The young mages eyes narrowed slightly. Who are you?

Xerxes bit his lip and looked over his shoulder. He lowered his voice. Look, the truth is that I dont know anything about swords. This one used to be my grandfathers. He took it as payment in some kind of business deal before I was born. He died a few years ago, and my dad inherited the sword. I know the things worth a ton, and given whats going on, I want to cash out. My dad doesnt know. Look, Ill give it to you if you want it. A hundred shekels. Or, no, how about eighty?

Xerxes tried to make himself sound as desperate as possible. The sword wasnt worth half that, so he wasnt worried about actually losing it. He just wanted to sell his act.

Eskinder looked back down at the sword. If you think youll get fifty for this thing, youre delusional.

Without any warning, he tossed the sword in Xerxes direction. Xerxes grabbed it out of the air with one hand, then lowered it to his side so the tip pointed behind him.

Thank you, Sir Mage, he said. I can only hope to find someone in the Market Warren who

Eskinder reached back, grabbed the hilt of his sword, and slid it out of the sheath, then stepped into the Skyward guard. Youre not going anywhere yet. Given the way you handle that weapon, I think you do know of the Epitome. So get ready to take a blow.