City of Towers_ The Dreaming Dark - Keith Baker [35]
“… Carralag?” Jode said. “I’ve heard he’s got quite a few tricks tucked away.”
“He’s a gargoyle,” said his captor, a half-elf woman with short silvery hair and freckled cheeks. “It doesn’t matter how tricky he is, he just doesn’t have the wingspan to compete with a pegasus or hippogriff.”
“Daeras! Don’t talk to the prisoners!” The sergeant was almost as large as Pierce, and Daine guessed that he owed his gray complexion and flat nose to orcish blood. The half-elf nodded sullenly and turned away from Jode.
“We’re going to Daggerwatch,” Jode whispered, sidling up to Daine. Daggerwatch was the garrison district Jode had mentioned earlier.
“Great. So while I’m being boiled in oil, why don’t you try to ask a few questions about Rasial.”
“What’s interesting is that the guard didn’t know anything about the nature of our crime. She knew that the charge was murder, but she was instructed to apprehend you and anyone you might be traveling with. Let’s face it: you’re the killer.”
“Thanks, Jode. Good to know you’re standing at my side. Besides which, you stabbed the woman.”
“And healed her,” Jode pointed out. “But don’t worry, I’m sure I can talk us through this. I was just thinking of Lei and Pierce. How could the Watch possibly hold them responsible?”
“Silence!” The sergeant sent Jode sprawling with a kick. Daine gritted his teeth but stood his ground—the last time he’d fought on a lift it had ended poorly, and the gray-skinned sergeant was looking for an excuse for further violence.
That excuse came from an unexpected quarter. As the sergeant turned toward Daine, there was a flash of movement. Lei’s foot caught the back of the half-orc’s knee and sent him sprawling to the ground. The guards knew nothing of the enchantments Lei had woven for her battle with the minotaur, and none were prepared for her blinding speed. She dove forward, stripped the rope from the hands of her captor, and rolled into a defensive crouch, raising her bound fists before her like a mace.
The sergeant rose to his feet and drew his blade. “I’ll have your foot for that, Mourner trash!”
“Try me, brute,” Lei hissed. “You saw that minotaur a minute ago? I did that with my bare hands. You touch my friends again and you’ll be kissing cobblestones before you can blink.”
The sergeant watched her through narrowed eyes, and Daine caught the hint of motion he made with his sword. The four archers readied themselves, moving along the perimeter and preparing to fire on a moment’s notice. Pierce caught Daine’s glance, and his thoughts were clear—for all her supernatural speed, Lei couldn’t fight the guards alone. Either they acted together, or—
“Lei, stand down,” Daine said firmly. “I’m the one you want here, grayskin. If you’re going to take your anger out on someone, deal with me.”
Lei remained in her crouch. Behind her, the archers were taking aim.
“Lei!”
Reluctantly, Lei lowered her arms. A guard took hold of her tether, but the others were taking no chances. Two of the archers kept their crossbows leveled at her back. The sergeant walked over, glared at Daine, then smashed him in the face with the pommel of his sword, knocking him to the ground. Glaring down, the half-orc spat at him and turned away. Slowly Daine rose to his feet and shuffled over towards Lei.
“I never thought you’d be the one to start a fight,” he muttered, testing his teeth with his tongue.
“I never thought you’d be the one to stop me,” she replied. He could see the anger in her eyes, but the archers still stood at the ready, fingers white on the stocks of their crossbows.
“I’ve fought too many fights that couldn’t be won. I’m proud of what you did—now and earlier—but it’s not the time. Let’s see where this takes us.”
She nodded, but she wouldn’t meet his gaze.
The lift came to a stop, and they were escorted through the streets of Daggerwatch. Every district seemed to have its own flavor, and Daggerwatch was no exception. It had the atmosphere of a vast fortress. The walls