seymoure

Chapter 27

The Short Cut

“The trek from the shore of the Sea of Ramaj to the Kingdom of Takis is a long and difficult one,” Count Gerathio told the crew standing before him, “And there are hundreds of perfect places for ambush.”

The Count rose and walked to the window. He did not limp, but he did favor his right leg. It had been slightly injured, totally by accident, during the encounter at the wharf. No one there had been good enough to have hurt him, it was pure chance and nothing more. At least that was what he was to continue to tell himself.

“They will avoid those places because they must,” He continued, “But the one who has employed you will have them, so we must think as they think.”

“They have a magician,” came someone in the crowd.

“And that is the key,” Gerathio said as he turned back to them, “How will they avoid us by employing their mage?”

“They will detour,” came a voice from beneath a sloped hood, “And by doing so will fall into my . . . our hands.”

The tall, dark figure moved forward, and no man stood in his way as he did. His hand pulled back the hood to show a scarred face with only one working eye. One scar cut across the face from the dead eye to his chin. Another scar curved from ear to ear around his throat. Someone had tried very hard to end this man’s life. His visage showed a rage for revenge.

“My name is Robez,” he said in a low and succinct voice, “The girl is mine.”

“I care for nothing but the babe I am commissioned to kill,” said Gerathio, “And to end the career of a very luck mercenary who is in the party.”

“Then we will both be well served by knowing the route the girl will employ,” Robez said, “And that would be through the land known as Techlamange.”

The word made escape from the mouths of at least 4 of the men in the crowd. The mythic land was the stuff of nightmares and fables told to make underlings cease to question the words of their betters.

“If you don’t do as you are told you will be sent to Techlamange,” the curse would be uttered, and then all discussion ended.

The world where magic ruled and physical laws were not dependable was not truly believed in by educated people. Unless they had been schooled in the dark arts.

An alternate dimension that could be used to enter and exit this world at any given point, Techlamange was not a place to be visited lightly.

“How do you know they will take that course,” someone dared to ask.

“I have, how do you say, planted a talisman to be found by them. They will believe it will grant them safe passage. Instead it will be a beacon for your assassins to find them and end this fiasco,” Robesz said as he smoked a pipe that wasn’t there, even if the ball of burning leaf did hover in the air a few inches from his fist.

Count Gerathio held out his hand, “We shall join together in this venture,” he told the wizard, “And you will share jointly in my profits.”

“I want nothing of money,” the old man spit out, “I just want to see the girl in pain.”

“Then that you shall,” the count began to laugh, “You most surely shall.”