Rise of the DarkWalker: The Chronicles of Carter Blake, Book II

Carter managed to slip between the massive iron gates before they slammed shut. The stench of sewage permeated the air. It wasn’t as bad as the Tower of Offal, Moloch’s palace, but it still burned his nostrils. ‘Why does the governor allow this?’ He shook his head. ‘It’s a good thing for him Adora has been tied up with the war. She’d probably flog him for letting things get this bad.’

A guard hurried over with a torch in hand. The pleasant odor of burning pine did little to mask the foul air it battled with. The heavy plate of his boots crunched the crushed lime spread over the street to combat the odor. As he drew closer, the torchlight revealed the braided beard and three vertical stripes on his pauldrons of Adam Steen, Captain of the guards.

“Halt. Who goes there?” His free hand was on his sword, ready to draw it at a moment’s notice.

“Dan-Dan, the Dancing Man.” Carter knew by the narrowing of the other’s eyes the code was remembered.

“Never heard of him.”

This was a reminder of the age of the code and a request for further verification. Carter sighed. ‘How the hell do I give him more info about me while maintaining my secret? I want neither ceremony nor the disruption that would be caused by telling the city their king has returned.’

Adam’s hand tightened on the hilt of his sword.

‘Oh, yeah. My ragged armor.’ He felt like smacking himself in the head for forgetting something so basic. Holding his arms out to the side, he stepped further into the light. “Is Sir Lavitz really so forgettable?”

Adam relaxed his grip on his weapon. “Not at all, Sir. Welcome back to Rivorei.” He gestured to others in the darkness and Carter heard bowstrings being relaxed. “What brings you here, Sir? Searching for another bounty?”

Carter shook his head. His secret identity as one of the Queen’s bounty hunters allowed him to come and go as he wished, whereas if it were known he was the king, there’d be all sorts of pomp and ceremony in addition to the eyes of thousands on his every movement. “I’m not hunting anyone in particular this night, though I’m always open to collect another for Her Majesty.” He followed Adam further into the city. “No, I’m merely passing through this cesspit.”

“Where to, Sir? The usual spot?”

“Yeah. The Dire Bear sounds good.”

Adam chuckled. “Good? You have been away for a while.”

The two men strode through the dark night, traveling from one island of light to another. In other parts of the city, people were getting ready for bed, but over here, things were starting to pick up. Carter favored the Dire Bear even though it was in the poorest area of the slums, and thus one of the most dangerous sections of the city. Guards rarely ventured here after sunset, preferring to allow the various cutthroats and brigands to rule. No one would ever expect to encounter the King of Dragon Keep to be here.

He glanced around. “It doesn’t seem that different from when I was last through. Well, other than being rebuilt.” He paused. “Did anyone ever learn why Drago had that vendetta against half-elves six years ago?”

Adam nodded. “He used his foul magiks to twist them into things worse than orcs.”

Carter raised his eyebrow. “What could that be?”

“Gnolls.”

Carter stopped. “What are gnolls?”

“Gnolls are hyena-headed, evil humanoids with dirty-yellow fur that wander in loose tribes. They tend to think with their stomachs, most of the time, yet they’ll only attack when they have the numerical advantage.”

“Well, that’s pleasant.” Carter resumed walking. The growing sound of music told him they were close to their destination. “Did Mordecai no—”

“Your coin purse, or your life.” The voice coming from the alley was hoarse from a lifetime of dragonweed use. “Throw the torch away and get over here.” It also bore no disobedience.

Carter reached over and claimed the light from his friend. He held it close to himself, fully illuminating his patched leather armor and his face with the scar running from beneath his right eye, across his cheek and to his chin, neatly dividing his beard. “Recognize me?”

Silence met his question. He raised the torch above his head and stepped towards the alley. It was empty.

“I would say he did,” Adam said.

Carter turned to his friend and nodded. The men rounded the corner and paused outside the door of their destination. A newly painted sign to the right of the door featured a hulking bear with bony brow ridges and claws like sickles. The artist’s skill was such that a wildness and destructive gleam were apparent in its cold, piercing eyes.

“Whoever painted that has incredible talent,” Carter said.

“Thank you.”

“You did this?”

“You don’t have to sound so shocked.” Adam pushed open the door, ringing a bell above it.

“By all the hells, man, why are you a guard, instead of an artisan?”

Adam chuckled. “As you clearly saw, I can do both.”

“True, but couldn’t you make more money as a full-time artisan?”

“Of course. But, I’d not get to serve the people of Rivorei if I did.”

“Fair enough.” Carter slapped the other man’s shoulder. “I’ll not attempt to dissuade you further.”

As the men strode in, their footsteps were slightly muffled by the combination of straw, mud, and sawdust covering the floor. The straw and sawdust were meant to absorb any spilled liquids. The delicious odors of cooking meats and soups clashed with the stench of unwashed bodies.

“No bounty hunting tonight, hey?” Adam’s voice was pitched low.

Carter lounged against the bar, gazing around at the various patrons. He pointed to the corner table next to the back wall. “That one over there is worth two hundred gold.”

Adam followed his pointing finger. “Yeah, that’s Merk Harper. He’s a new member of the Thieves’ Guild. Is two hundred worth your time?”

Carter shrugged. “Let’s go see.”

Adam sighed and shook his head. “Here we go again.” He beckoned to the bartender. “Dwarven ale, if you please.”

“How much, Lord Adam?” The eye-patched woman asked.

“A tankard for now.”

She nodded, pulled a frosted tankard from under the bar and filled it with the ale. She passed it over and made the silver coin vanish as she leaned on the bar. “Sir Lavitz going to start some shit with the Guild?”

Adam watched his friend approach the group in the back. “No. They know better.”

“Merk might not. He’s new.”

“A few hits from Sir Lavitz will teach him.”

“I sure wish he’d stay in town.”

“Why is that, Kaylah?”

“No offense to you guards, but crime drops to nil when he is. It would be good to keep more of my money.”

“That’s understandable.” Adam took another swallow. “I don’t know where he gets his energy from.” A shout drew his attention to the back.

Carter tapped his fingers on the hilt of his sword. “Are you certain you wish to test me?”

The one in the stained dragonhide armor spat over his shoulder. It landed on Carter’s bare hand. In a blink, Carter slammed his head into the table, sending dishes and cups flying. The other three men sprang to their feet and backed away.

“Merk, apologize and let’s get out of here.” One with an eye covered by a folded cloth tipped his head at Carter. “Sir, Lavitz, please let me—”

Merk rolled to his feet with a howl and spat blood on the floor. Wiping his mouth, he looked down at his hand. Seeing the blood, he drew his sword. “Ya loosened my teeth, ya bastid. I’m gonna gut ya for that.”

“Put the sword away before I make you eat it.” Carter’s voice was several octaves lower than usual and wintery.

Adam sat at the bar and picked up the full tankard of ale. He shook his head when Merk went after Carter instead. “Dumbass.”

The man swung his weapon, evidentially hoping to end it before his opponent could draw his own. Carter leaned away from the wild cut and waited for Harper to recover. He intended to teach his whole audience a lesson.

Harper swung wildly again. Forehand this time.

Again, Carter ducked.

He popped up before Merk could start his recovery, and shoved the other man’s arm so it wrapped around his own chest. With a swift movement, Carter took Harper’s sword and tapped the back of his head with it.

Merk spun, rubbing the sore spot.

Carter held up his hand and offered the longsword back. “Sorry. I’m sorry. That was luck.”

He snatched the sword away from his opponent.

“Merk, let’s get out of here,” another thief said.

“Shut it!”

Merk returned his attention to Carter who stood with his thumbs in his sword belt. He yelled, and charged at him, slashing downward with an overhand chop.

The Walker spun a little to his right, just so the sword missed, and as it slammed into the wooden floor, he slapped Merk in the back of the head again.

“Get out of here while you still can, lad,” Adam shouted. “He fights demons for sport.”

“Fuck you!” Merk once again slashed at Carter.

The big man rocked to the left, dodging and then to the right, moving past the second swipe. When his smack impacted Harper’s head this time, the thief stumbled into a table sending the occupants’ dinners and drinks flying. He whipped around with a snarl. Looking over the shoulder of his enemy, he shouted. “Stay out of it.”

Carter cast his attention over his shoulder, and Merk took advantage, kicking the bigger man in the groin. Carter doubled over with a groan.

The thief hacked downward.

His sword came to a halt in the gauntleted hand of his target. He pulled with all his might, but the sword remained locked fast as if encased in iron. His opponent raised his head, revealing glowing electric blue eyes. A feral grin sprouted across his face, exposing razor sharp fangs.

Merk opened his mouth to scream.

An instant later, it was filled with steel which exploded out the back of his skull and pinned him to the ceiling a few feet above them.

“Gods damn it, Lavitz.” Adam strode over and tugged his friend’s shoulder, pulling him around.

Carter blinked. “What happened?”

Adam shook his head. “What happened? Are you kidding me? You fucking pinned the two hundred gold bounty to the gods-damned ceiling with your fucking sword!”

“I did?” Carter looked at the ceiling. “I don’t…” He returned his attention to the captain. “You say I did this?”

Adam’s brow furrowed. “I just did.” He titled his head to the right. “What is wrong with you?”

Carter shook his head. “I… I don’t know.”

He turned and hurried outside the tavern. Adam watched him go and then noted the silence. “Back to what you were doing. This doesn’t concern you.”

He then did his best to ignore the whispers and side-eyed looks as he tried to pull the sword from the ceiling. After pulling straight down did nothing more than lift him from the floor, he elected to wiggle it back and forth until both came down with a thud. Wiping the blood from the sword onto Merk’s clothes, he spotted the other thieves staring. He draped the white sword against his shoulder, ignoring the growing coldness through his armor.

“Pass the word: ‘Sir Lavitz is in a bad mood. Best to steer clear of Rivorei for a while.’”

“Please, Captain, may we take his body? Merk did have family.” Harkness twisted his cloak in his hands.

“Aye. Do that.” Adam walked to the door, tapping the flat of the sword against his hand as he walked, doing his best to ensure the blade touched the plate as little as possible. As he passed the bar, he grabbed the waiting pitcher of ale.

Outside, he found Carter leaning against the tavern wall, staring up at the moon. Without looking over, Carter spoke. “Come to arrest me?”

Adam snorted and passed him the pitcher. “No. Not for killing that filth. You know why his bounty was so high so quickly, right?”

Carter took a sip of the ale. “He carried it with him.”

“Gods, no. He built it entirely here.” Adam leaned against the wall of the building opposite of Carter. He pulled a small pouch and rolled a cigarette. “He killed the governor’s daughter in an argument.”

Carter looked over at his friend. “I thought the Thieves’ Guild didn’t go for killing?”

“They don’t. They only took him on as a favor to his previous guild.”

“Let me guess: Assassins.”

Adam pointed at Carter. “Got it first try.”

He offered the cigarette to Carter who declined with a raised hand. Putting it between his lips, he patted his pockets. Carter leaned forward and snapped his fingers, producing a flame for the cigarette. Adam drew in a bit of smoke and nodded at his friend.

“Thanks.” He exhaled a pleasant smelling ring of smoke and glanced at Carter’s empty hand. “You can do magic now?”

“No.” Carter shook his head. “This is due to a minor cantrip on a scroll.”

“What are you going to do about what happened in there?”

“Head to the capitol. It’s long past time Mordecai explained to me why I was summoned to the Realm.”

Adam took a drink from the pitcher. “I’m not even going to pretend to understand what that meant.” Passing the ale back, he then took a drag from the cigarette. “Just be careful. Neither guild will be pleased about what happened in there.”

Carter chuckled. “As you pointed out in there, I fight demons for fun. How will they provide a worry for me?”

“Even you have to sleep sometime.”

“Fair point.” Carter nodded. He took the pitcher back and took a final long drink of the ale. “I will actually be looking for a bed. See you tomorrow.”

With a wave, he headed off into the night.