From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [114]
Averella opened her eyes. The scene blurred before her. Behind the jagged parapet of the sentry wall, the city of Mahanaim peaked like a mountain of stone. Hundreds of torchlights lit the structure, but the colors of the stone were dull under the shadow of Darkness. The overwhelming smell was like a privy filled with rotted fish.
Before Master Fox could slow the wagon at the gate, two soldiers approached. They wore black armor and black capes with the gold symbol of Mahanaim on them.
One of the men spoke. “State yer name and business.”
“I’m Harnu Poe. We come seeking sanctuary from Darkness and to offer our service to the New Council.”
“What do you know of the New Council?”
“Just that things are changing in Er’Rets. I aim to serve however I can.”
“Who you got with you?”
“My wife and two servants.”
“How do you plan to serve the New Council?”
“My man and I mean to fight. If you’re in need of seamstresses, the women can sew.”
“You’ll need coin to rent a room. Ask the stablemaster about trading that wagon for a boat.”
“I will. Thank you.”
“Come on down and let us search yer wagon.”
The four of them climbed out and watched the soldiers ransack their supplies. They made a mess, tossing everything about, but took nothing but a mouthful of dried fish.
Then they searched Harnu and Noam.
The man searching Harnu took his coin purse—which was really Averella’s. “We’ll be taking a fee for entry and an offering for Dâthos. And you’ll have to hand over that blade.”
“I’ll do no such thing,” Harnu said, forbidding as ever. “If I’m to join the soldiers, I’ll do best with my own blade.”
The soldier glanced at his partner, who shrugged. “Let him keep it. It’s in sad shape, if you ask me.” He pocketed a few coins and tossed the coin purse back to Harnu.
The soldiers approached the women next. Averella clutched Gren’s arm. “You will not touch us!”
The soldier laughed. “Oh, but we will, Madam. Plenty have tried to sneak trouble past our gate by hiding it on their women. Put your arms out, real nice like.”
Averella shot a glance to Harnu, who shrugged. “We’ve nothing to hide. Search ’em if you must.”
Typical male response. Harnu had acclimated to his role all too well. Averella closed her eyes as the guard ran his hands over her.
A tickle at her neck. “What have we here?”
She opened her eyes to see the guard pulling the gold chain that held the king’s signet ring. Her heart fluttered. She grabbed the chain.
“None of that now,” the guard said. “We can’t allow you to wear such a trinket in times like these. It’s not safe. Plus, such an offering would please Dâthos.”
Averella and the guard both held tight until the chain snapped. The guard pulled the chain through Averella’s fist until he had it all. She gasped when the ring did not appear. She could feel it still nestled inside her makeshift corset.
The guard sneered and pocketed the chain. He didn’t know there had been anything else attached! “Yer free to enter. Make any mischief and we’ll feed you to the tanniyn.”
As the guards raised the gate, Noam helped Averella and Gren into the wagon bed. Once everyone was seated, Noam steered the horses inside the stronghold.
“Sorry ’bout your necklace, my lady,” Harnu said. “I didn’t think we should pick a fight just then.”
“You were wise, Master Poe, though it would not hurt you to be more protective of your wife.” She reached into her neckline and pulled out the ring. “Fortunately I am not as shapely as Gren.” Averella blushed, shocked at her words. Since when did she say such forward things?
Gren’s lips parted. “Achan’s ring? They almost took it?”
“Arman did not let them. Gren, do you have some twine that I might use to put it back around my neck?”
“Of course.”
As Gren busied herself looking for twine, Averella took in their surroundings. The courtyard—which had been filled with merchants and animals