The Dragon's Den: The Warders, #3

DEDICATION

For my mom, thanks for inspiring me to read when I was younger,

without that and all of those books to read, I never would’ve become an author.

THANKS

I’d like to thank Anna, Nicholas, Alex, and Cathy,

for putting up with a grumpy writer while I worked to finish...

and for all of your encouragement and suggestions.

I want you to know that I couldn’t have done it without you.

Prologue

The Elven Civil War More than a thousand years in the past

ISHÂK LOOKED OVER the tangled body of one of his fallen comrades. Small tufts of singed and blackened fur stuck out between the rents and slashes of its banded armor. Three of its four arms still held their scimitars, but the blades were bent and twisted out of shape. The fourth was missing below the elbow. With a glance, Ishâk found the rest of the arm on the ground against the ramparts. Its hand still held the shattered remains of a scimitar.

Turning back to the body, he reluctantly rolled the corpse onto its back. Three great gashes ran down the front of the demonic soldier’s armor. The greenish ichor of demon’s blood still oozed from the wounds. A broken fragment of what appeared to be a large bony claw protruded from the center and deepest cut. Ishâk bent down and pulled the claw from the body. The broken end was cleanly sliced. Whoever this warrior was, he hadn’t given up without a fight. Finally, he looked to the fallen demon’s face, but there was nothing to see. Unlike the scimitar blades, which had only been misshapen, the helmet was melted. The fusion of helmet and head was so complete it was impossible to recognize any facial features. If not for the position of the fused lump on top of the body Ishâk wouldn’t have known what he was looking at.

Report! came the shrill command from Sorceress Captain Jiana.

Ishâk turned from the corpse and stood up to his full height. As was customary, his dark elf commander sat astride her favorite naptha steed. The naptha resembled a horse in size and bulk, but unlike a horse, it was a carnivore. Its head ended in a sharp beak with a bite powerful enough to snap a small tree. The creature’s six legs propelled it across the ground at speeds that a horse would envy. For protection, the demonic beast was covered in thick metallic scales that shimmered in the sunlight.  

At just over eight feet tall, Ishâk was able to look directly into the Sorceress’s face. Her jet black hair, which normally framed her alabaster face, was tied in a neat braid and fell down her back. She wore a long dark cloak, which was thrown back over her left shoulder, revealing the finely woven iron mesh of her battle armor. In her left hand, she held an iron-infused ebony scepter crowned with the yellow firestone that signified her rank. More importantly to Ishâk, it also gave her complete control over him and all the demons in the Rakshasa horde. Her yellow, cat-like eyes glowed back at him demanding a response.

No survivors, Mistress. Most of the throng looks like this one... Ishâk gestured with his lower right arm toward the corpse, or worse. They’re all either burned, torn to shreds, or a combination of both.

Tell me what happened here, she commanded.

The stronghold looks very similar to the scene we found at the Gremoul tower. All of the bodies are Rakshasa or other demons known to be in your service. The garrison put up a fight, but they were overwhelmed. After a short pause, Ishâk remembered the severed claw he’d recovered from the body. Whatever new creature the enemy has conjured, it’s got large claws and can generate a lot of heat.

Chapter One

Several weeks ago at the edge of Damarval’s main market square

DAMARVAL WAS A crossroads, the largest port between Knome and the sea as well as the endpoint for the caravan routes that crossed the great desert. The combination made Damarval a merchant’s paradise. Traders from Eridan and the Confederacy mingled with those from Belar, Ramiah, and even Cadina. The main bazaars of Damarval overflowed with exotic goods. There was indeed some truth to the old trader saying; ‘If you can’t find it in Damarval, you’re not looking hard enough.’

Demir hefted the leather purse in his left hand. The clinking of all too few coins confirmed what he already knew; another slow day for his draper shop. He looked down at his samples of cloth. He had several dozen bolts of fine fabrics ranging from high-end silk to tastefully dyed cotton and linen fabrics. It was just the right mix to create the comfortable fashions favored by the city’s wealthier class. At least that’s what Berci from the weaver’s guild had told him when he bought an entire cart from the trader a few weeks ago. Apart from the bolts of the light blue linen he sold to a wealthy merchant for his daughter’s wedding, Demir still had the entire lot in inventory.

A busy store was important for the draper, but not for the sake of sales or profits. More customers provided better cover for the shop’s true purpose, which was the rendezvous point for Warder agents passing through or operating in Damarval. The city’s border location also ensured that spices, cloth, and wine weren’t the only items being exchanged in the busy bazaars. As the Warder Station chief, Demir’s job was to keep tabs on foreign agents, support Warder agents with logistics and information, and occasionally serve as a drop point for important courier packages.

Despite the slow drapery business, it had been a hectic day for Demir. He had received two urgent agent reports. Nearly every caravan that crossed the desert from Cadina into Damarval contained agents of the empire. Reliable agents reported that the last two included suspected members of the Shaulan. Named after a tiny spider with a lethally venomous bite found only in Cadina, the highly trained Shaulan assassins were masters of stealth and delivering death. They were the most elite force within the vast security and surveillance apparatus of the empire.

Shaulan agents always operated in pairs. While teams regularly passed through Damarval, it was uncommon for more than one pair to remain in the city. Including the day’s reports, he could now confirm four additional Shaulan pairs in the city and there were rumors of several more. Something was afoot, something big. Despite all of his contacts, he didn’t have a clue what it might be. He’d included that information in his administrative dispatch to Eridan, which now sat in the secret drop box outside the shop. His first task tomorrow would be to press his local contacts for more information. Five or more pairs of Shaulan was a serious concern and his ignorance of their plans was unacceptable.

Absentmindedly he reached his hand into his pocket and was surprised to find something. He took it in his hand and pulled it out of his pocket. In his palm, he held a walnut-sized case of polished metal. What was it and how had it gotten in his pocket? More importantly, what was he supposed to do with it?

Had he missed something in one of the reports? He’d received his first news of the Shaulan early in the morning and the second not long after. Two different agents had visited his shop, but following protocol neither spoke with him. Using the Warder’s secret hand language they’d inconspicuously delivered their news and moved on. If one of them had left him something in the secret drop box hidden in the store front they would have mentioned it. They hadn’t. Besides, even if they had that wouldn’t explain how the case found its way into his pocket.

Mentally he went through the day’s other events. There was the one sale of the blue linen and an extended visit from his neighbor, Duyal the potter. Demir knew him to be an agent for Belar. The first was a legitimate sale. As for the second, Eridan enjoyed cordial relations with Belar, but the Warders had rarely worked closely with Belarian agents. Neither of those fit, so it had to be something else. He furrowed his brow and raised his hand to his chin. After a moment’s thought, he snapped his fingers. It had been during one of the few busy moments of the day. A plain-looking young woman who claimed to be a new apprentice to a popular tailor spent a few minutes carefully inspecting his linens before approaching him. While animatedly haggling with him over the price, she had tripped over one of the samples she’d strewn on the floor. As he helped her get up, she’d fallen again and he’d caught her. She must have deftly slipped the case into his pocket while he was helping her up. That explained how he’d gotten the case, but didn’t tell him what to do with it.

He examined the case more closely. There were no obvious hinges, latches, or other types of opening mechanism nor could he detect any seams. It appeared to be nothing more than a small solid metal object. What was he supposed to do with it? Who was he supposed to give it to? Was it really a Warder drop? Could it be someone’s idea of a joke? Draham was a practical joker, but the veteran dwarf agent hadn’t been in Damarval since Demir’s appointment. Maybe he’d been compromised by Duyal. The overly friendly Belarian did spend an inordinate amount of time in the draper shop. Perhaps he sent a courier with a fake drop as some sort of test to learn about Warder operations.

No, none of that made any sense. He shook his head and tossed the case into the air. A sharp metallic clink rang through the air as the metal object made contact with the silver of his Warder ring. Even as the sound registered in his ears he felt the simultaneous tingle of magic as his ring came to life. The gentle glow encompassed the case for several seconds before most of it vanished. The remaining glow didn’t come from his ring. It came from the case. The smooth surface now bore the faintly glowing blue image of a stoat.  Demir swallowed hard. The case was a legitimate and very serious drop. A stoat signified the highest priority package. Perhaps this was why the Shaulan were gathering in the city.

There was no time to lose. Demir glanced out the door into the nearly empty bazaar square. The lengthening shadows signaled the setting of the sun and the end of the trading day. The few remaining customers in the square were closing out their final purchases. Several were already starting to bring in their wares to close for the night. Demir nodded his head. No one would think twice if he joined them in closing before sunset. He placed the case in an interior pocket, tied the purse onto his belt, and tucked it inside his tunic. Neither hiding place would fool a determined thief, but they would prevent a cutpurse from making an easy score.

He finished taking in the last of his wares and stepped back out to take down the awning and secure his merchandise shelf.

Excuse me, sir, but have you got any blue silk?

Demir finished lowering the awning and with one hand over his purse and the other on the hilt of his dagger he turned to face his would be customer.

You don’t have to worry about me, good sir. I’m no thief. If I was I wouldn’t have announced myself, would I? Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Igniani. Perhaps you’ve heard of me?

Demir lowered both of his hands but kept the right near his dagger. Can’t say that I have.

Yes, well I’m one of Lady Marta’s clothiers. She’s the Duchess’s second cousin once removed and one of thirteen flower maids in tomorrow’s wedding of her Grace’s first cousin.

Demir looked at the small man. He was well dressed and seemed to be quite agitated. He knew about the wedding. Just before buying Berci’s cart of goods he’d sold several bolts of silk for the accents on the dresses of the wedding party. He’d never heard of Lady Marta, but the Duchess came from a big family. It was impossible to keep tabs on all of her relations. He smiled and replied, Of course, how can I help you?

It’s a bit embarrassing, but Lady Marta spilled wine on her dress during the rehearsal this afternoon. I was able to save everything except the blue silk accent. I need to recreate it tonight. I was told that the silk was bought in your shop. Would you by chance have more of it available?

I sold the last of that lot a few weeks ago, Demir said.

The wiry man cringed. Please tell me the next shipment’s a close match. Lady Marta couldn’t bear to ruin the wedding’s color scheme.

Demir smiled back. Few laymen knew it, but no two batches of dyed fabric ever matched exactly. Demir might not recognize him, but Igniani knew his fabric. In that instant, Demir decided to play his role as draper rather than Warder agent. Don’t fret, my friend. I keep the snippets and odd cuttings in the back of my shop in case something like this happens. You may need to hide a seam in a ruffle, but I should be able to get you something you can work with.

The little man beamed back at him.

Demir said, I don’t keep the snippets out front, so if you’ll follow me into the back, you can look through what I’ve got.

Demir turned and stepped into his shop with the man named Igniani a step behind him. As soon as they were safely inside and out of anyone’s view, Igniani struck. In the blink of an eye he pulled a leather-encased lead weight from his sleeve and swung it at the base of Demir’s head. The only sounds were the dull thud of the weapon’s impact and the crack of the Warder agent’s neck-snapping. Igniani hid Demir’s lifeless body behind the bolts of cloth. True to his word, he left without taking the draper’s purse.

Chapter Two

More than a century ago outside the nether chambers in the Rakshasa Concordat

KYREN SAT ON a cold iron stool in front of an iron-bound oak door. A single torch was the only source of light. Its flickering flame lit little more than the immediate space in front of the door. It was enough for her to see that the door was on the inside of a long curving hallway that arched away into darkness that even her keen elven sight could not penetrate. Beyond that, she didn’t know where she was. She knew it was somewhere deep within the earth. The tiny cell that served as her prison over the last months was underground and there was no mistaking the downward slope of the passages they’d taken to reach this door.

Since her capture by the barbarians and subsequent sale in the Knome slave market, she had known little more than these dark passageways. If not for her twice-a-day feedings she would’ve lost track of the days. Not that the passage of time mattered. Escape was impossible. Even if she eluded capture and found her way through the twisting tunnels to the surface she’d still be trapped on the island. The passage from the mainland to the island had taken more than a day, which ruled out swimming.

Of course, there was also her twin sister, Kaden. She wouldn’t leave without her. Like most elven twins they shared a natural empathic link. They weren’t full telepaths, but they could sense each other’s presence and emotional state. The link was strongest when they were within sight of each other, but no matter how far apart they were there was always a recognizable presence. At least that had always been the case before they’d been captured. Something about their prison interfered with their link. It still worked but at a much weaker level. The only time Kyren could truly read her sister was when they passed near each other. Those occasional glimpses gave Kyren hope. At least Kaden was alive, but the emotions she sensed from her were the worst part of her captivity.

This morning was the first time she’d seen Kaden in weeks. On their long march into the depths, Kyren managed to get a few quick views of her sister. Her sister’s long dark hair, which she had always kept in a single neat braid, hung in filthy knotted strands. Kaden’s face was hollowed out and she wore a vague haunted expression. Her sister avoided making eye contact with her. However bad things had been for Kyren, they had been much worse for Kaden.

When they reached the end of the passage, one of the two red-robed figures that served as her escort whenever she moved from her cell motioned for her to sit. The other opened the door. Kyren couldn’t see anything but blackness in the room. Both of the watchers escorted her sister into the chamber and closed the door.

She refused to sit silently and await her fate. She crept from the stool and placed her ear against the door. The heavy iron-bound wooden portal may have been soundproof to human hearing, but not to Kyren’s keen elven ears. Through its thick timber, she made out the sounds of human voices. They weren’t speaking any language she recognized. In fact, they weren’t speaking at all. They were chanting in rhythmic unison getting louder with each repeating chorus. Darkly beautiful, their haunting song sent shivers of dread and surprisingly anticipation through her body. The conflicting emotions were only heightened by a piercing agony filled scream, which even without their empathetic link she knew was Kaden’s.

A strong hand grabbed her shoulder and pulled her from the door. An unfamiliar male voice said, "Elfling, you mustn’t listen to the chant or you’ll