CITY OF BRIDGES

3

An Unexpected Trip

Slinking along the shadowy lanes, Leonie worked her way deeper into the web, trying to fathom what this venture would entail. She had been out in the surrounding jungle previously, but not far. Her skills-set best suited an urban environment. It ruined my fur for a week! She shuddered at the memory.

In her current condition, perhaps a ride in the country might do her some good. Leonie hated being weak and inactive, but not fool enough to think she was ready to return to work.

When she rounded the corner, she came face to face with a pair of guards. After a moment of shock, Leonie dived to the side as a guard reached out.

“It’s one of them rrell half-breeds.” The two guards turned to give pursuit.

Leonie landed, rolled then bounded along the narrow alley. She cursed herself for being so careless. Running in broad daylight will only bring more attention.

In her weakened condition, she could still handle the both of them, but her boss frowned at dead guards in the web. Relying on instincts, a surge of adrenalin, and perhaps a touch of luck, she decided on her next course of action.

Within a few strides, she sprang onto a barrel then up the wall. Her claws dug into the woodwork. With barely time to bunch her muscles, she leapt and twisted to the opposite surface. Two more jumps, zigzagging between the close-in buildings; she grasped the overhang and flipped onto the roof. Crossbow bolts peppered the wall, following her trail.

Sucking in huge gasps, she lay flat on her back on the shingles. Even that minimal exertion made her feel as useless as a kitten. The sounds from below indicated the guards hadn’t given up. Next time won’t be so easy. Leonie dragged herself to her feet, taking stock of her location. She bounded across the rooftops, jumping the small gaps in her stride, and continued on her way to Jade’s.

To satisfy herself all was clear; she discreetly circled the block twice. Pausing at a blank section of wall between two discarded barrels, she found a knothole, bent down and blew a long raspberry followed by a short one. Within a few seconds, she heard the wall creak.

“Who comes up with these ridiculous passwords, Ro?” she asked the looming figure within as he removed the panel.

The mute shrugged his massive shoulders, sliding the wall back into place after she stepped through. He signed his greeting and led the way up the narrow stairs.

Without waiting for a response to his knock, Rohan entered the room at the top of the staircase. Inside, Netoha waited with a spear at the ready. On seeing them both, she relaxed, greeting them with a warm smile. Netoha laid down her weapon and poured a glass of water, handing it to Leonie with a wink.

Behind the scroll-littered desk, the slim figure looked up briefly. “Ah, glad you survived your walk.” Jade waved to a chair, a sheaf of papers clutched in her hand.

Arm in arm with Ro, Netoha pulled the door closed behind them.

“They make a nice couple,” Leonie said.

Jade did not respond, immersed in the papers on the desk, her green eyes scanning every document.

With a sigh, Leonie turned to a large, faded tapestry across the room depicting the continent of Shak’aran. She examined the terrain between Delta and the lands to the north, tracing the Urmaq River to Qelay to get an idea of what she’d be up against.

“Have any trouble?” Finally, Jade stood up. “I hear patrols are searching for rrells.”

“Nothing I couldn’t handle. They were easy enough to evade.”

“No body count? Good. We’ve plenty enough troubles.”

“How’d they know where to look?”

“You do have a history. I reckon the wounds on the assassin’s arm clued them into a rrell – or half-rrell,” she corrected, “being involved. Claws marks tend to be exclusive to your kind. There are few half-rrells with your particular traits. I reckon it’s time you to get out of town. Let things quiet down.” Jade picked up her glass of wine and joined her by the tapestry. “Coincidently, I’ve arranged for a friend of yours tagging along on his expedition.”

“So, I gather, but I dare say hardly a ‘coincidence’.”

“You know me too well. You’ve not travelled much, but there’s a whole wide world to experience.” Jade spread her arms out, almost spilling her wine. “The fresh air will do you good. Plus, Feiron has some unique abilities that may come in handy.” She pulled a familiar satchel from behind her desk. “I was doing some snooping around the sage guildhall since the attack.” The table shook when the tome thudded down amongst the scrolls. “They’re calling this the ‘Seer’s Codex’.”

Leonie reached for it, surprised at the weight. “That’s all? I thought there’d be more.” She turned the pages, browsing through the script. Most of the writing was a different language.

“Other than what you tossed in? No. This belt has two scabbards, but one dagger.”

“I left the other one in the assassin.”

Jade nodded. “The Jart’lekk will want to find the killer. They will be relentless. Other players are getting involved. Besides the palace, a few priests are asking questions. You’ve stumbled onto something big.”

Thumbing through the heavy pages, Leonie considered the implications of Jade’s comment. The Jart’lekk weren’t a trifling matter, despite her recent successes. If it involves the temples, there was no telling where this would lead.

“Clearly, this book has to be taken to Qelay, to an hroltahg named Styx,” Jade said.

“If it’s so important, why can’t this ‘Styx’ come here? Why was the courier solo? Armed escorts would be a good idea.”

“Sources inform me the book was discovered recently. It was supposed to be a secret. Anything more than a courier on a routine errand may have been considered out of place. An armed escort would have drawn attention. As to the rollo situation, our illustrious Lord Zander despises hroltahgs, hence their ban from the city.”

“Doesn’t he despise everyone?” Leonie mumbled. “I’ve read my share of books, this one’s unusual. Why is it so heavy? I don’t recognise any of this writing.”

“Agreed. I’ve not been able to make much of the esoteric details and predictions. Information from the sages is scarce. Ironically, when it comes to sharing knowledge, their lips are tighter than a vorien’s arsehole. In the wrong hands, this book could be extremely dangerous; it must be delivered to the hroltahgs sooner than later. Simply knowing of this codex is risky. I trust you without question. You’re already aware of the dangers involved and proved you can handle it.”

“Any idea who the Jart’lekk work for?” From what Leonie heard, you couldn’t reason with these people. Once they had a task to do, they would not stop until they succeeded or died in the attempt. “Surely the temples aren’t hiring assassins. Don’t they do their own dirty work?”

“I’ve got snoops around the harbour, but you’ll be long-gone before we know anything. With assassins lurking the streets, the safest place is anywhere but Delta.” She looked steadily into Leonie’s violet eyes. “I’m relying on you to deliver this book to Qelay and get back in one piece.”

Jade sat down, back to business. “Styx will probably be at White Cliffs – a rollo hangout in Qelay. I’m sure he’s expecting someone. With their telepathic abilities, they will know of you long before you even see him.”

“What do hroltahgs look like. I’ve never seen one.”

“Rollos are an unusual lot. Short, solid and round. Nicknamed because of the way they move. They’d be formidable opponents if they weren’t pacifists.”

“Why does Zander hate them so much, if they’re no threat? Why the ban?”

“It’s said he hates their psionic talents the most. You can’t keep any secrets from them, and Zander is a man of many secrets. He wants to remain so.”

“I can see how that’d be annoying.” Leonie replaced the book into the satchel. “One other thing bothering me is, why me? Surely those bookworm sages have their own channels to deliver messages.”

“True, but not all the sages trust each other; there’s always infighting. They’ve got their different philosophies and can’t seem to agree on anything. Most have some alignment with one temple or another. I suspect some of them work indirectly for Lord Zander, which might explain those guards, and his awareness of the courier’s arrival.

“Because Zander wants this text so much,” Jade continued, “I want it out of Delta more. Trouble with assassins and fractious temples is bad enough. We don’t need more grief with the Royal Guards. If sages can’t depend on each other – believing hroltahgs are best to deal with it – then I for one won’t argue. Neither will you.” She reached into a drawer and pulled out a pouch. “For any expenses incurred. Maintain a low profile and be quick. So, no stealing.” She tossed the pouch.

Casually snatching it out of the air, Leonie pocketed the pouch. To be throwing around money, she must be worried. Leonie hid her surprise.

“Take it easy out there and enjoy the wide-open spaces.”

“The fact Zander may want it is reason enough for me to smuggle it out, but your money’s always good to have.” With the satchel slung casually over her shoulder, Leonie closed the door on Jade’s curses.

* * *