Neversfall - Ed Gentry [94]
Jhoqo's last four words washed over the crowd like blasphemy in a holy congregation. Several of the Maquar and Durpari tried to push to their way out of the crowd, while a few of each group shouted at the rest. Division was an effective tactic, and Adeenya had to admit that Jhoqo was using it well. Perhaps he could not sway all the troops, but those who wouldn't come to his side only made his claim of betrayal more convincing in the eyes of those who did.
The Chondathans fanned the flames of anger, pushing both Maquar and Durpari alike, shoving them back to the center of the crowd. The shouts grew primal, the soldiers became wild animals grunting and butting heads. The volume rose well beyond Jhoqo's shouts. Nothing comprehensible could be heard until one undeniable sound rose above the others: the ringing scrape of swords being drawn from their scabbards simultaneously in the warm night air, as crisp and clear as a bell.
Chapter Nineteen
Xaennen ducked into a roll that brought him back up racing the opposite direction. He came to his feet, blade in hand, and saw Bascou, holding his sword before him, a smile on his face.
"Hello, my friend," the man said. "You should not be here, I think."
"Traitor!" Taennen said, glancing behind himself to see if anyone else was approaching.
"Traitor? No, no. I am doing my job, my duty. I am no traitor," Bascou said. "I was hired for this."
"Hired to secret away a hoard of weaponry under the citadel? Hired to kill Marlke?" Taennen said.
Bascou laughed for a moment, holding his palm out toward Taennen. "The dwarf? No, I did not kill that one. He was good, very useful. He gave us these dwarves. Very good in the caves, those little men. And those," he said, pointing to some nearby crates, "they are not staying here. Not hoarding, no."
Taennen felt strangely relieved that Marlke hadn't died an innocent. Adeenya's trap had worked, at least in part. It had caught the traitor. One traitor, Taennen realized. But if they weren't stockpiling the weapons, then what was going on? Taennen's mind suddenly flashed to the map he had seen with Neversfall marked on it. He could see the proposed trade route from the southern lands to the north.
"You're running weapons to the Mulhorandi for their war," Taennen said.
Bascou smiled the smile of a teacher whose pupil has finally grasped something difficult.
Taennen looked around at the tunnels, the dark walls, and the cramped space. "Why here? Why underground? Neversfall is meant to be part of the trade route."
Bascou nodded and said, "Oh, yes, the citadel will help many merchants take rugs, food, jars, and pretty little things women sew to the Mulhorandi."
"But not weapons," Taennen finished for him, remembering the trade laws of the southern nations. "It's illegal to interfere in the Mulhorandi action. When the Estagundian and Durpari governments find out about this, you and your troops will spend many, many years in servitude, if you're lucky."
Bascou laughed. "I think not. You think, maybe, I organized all of this by myself?" he said, motioning to the encampment in the cavern.
Taennen stood stunned a moment before answering, "Who? Who hired you? One of the rajah's opponents?"
Bascou smiled again but only shrugged.
"The Durpari leaders?"
Again, Bascou smiled.
Taennen's mind struggled with the man's words. His weapon hand dropped to his waist. The scraping of boots on stone returned his focus. Taennen's khopesh rose in time to block a stabbing blow from Bascou's sword, the two metals resonating in a single note of discord. Taennen hopped backward, assuming a defensive posture low to the ground.
He held his shield before him and readied his blade.
"Who killed Loraica? And Marlke? Who else is with you?" Taennen said.
"Other than my men?" Bascou asked, with his customary smirk.
"Who are they? Who are you?" Taennen asked.
"We are mercenaries," Bascou replied as he began circling. "Men of commerce." He held his sword before him, but Taennen did