Stars of Ice and Shadow Read online

  “Fill you up, master?” Banfrey, the smiling, fat innkeeper who ran Scorpion’s Lodge, was already filling Godwin’s clay cup with weak cherry wine before he had a chance to answer.

  “Banfrey, I’m beginning to suspect that you may want me drunk. And I told you not to call me master.”

  Banfrey laughed heartily and wiped his pudgy hands on his apron. “When are you going to make some friends in this city? You can’t sit here every night by yourself, tucked into some shadowy corner.”

  “Here I thought that’s the exact luxury which I was paying you for,” Godwin replied.

  “Well, you’re not paying for this one. It’s on me. It’ll cost you nothing other than my company. Shelby! Watch over things!”

  A plump woman with red hair waved in acknowledgment to them. Banfrey poured himself a cup from the carafe he had brought over.

  “Tell me a story then,” Banfrey said. “Something that will take my mind away from Hart. Some daring tale of your travels so incredible that I won’t be able to help but doubt it.”

  Godwin grumbled. He was in no mood. “Once I was staying at an inn, and the nosy innkeeper kept prying at my affairs. His body turned up in the river the next day.”

  For effect Godwin opened his eyes wide and stared directly into Banfrey’s face. Unlike most people who saw his vibrant silver eyes, Banfrey merely laughed. “Not a pretty story, and you left me doubting the truthfulness of it far too much.”

  Godwin picked up his cup but didn’t drink.

  “What’s the matter, Shigata? Is it that cute little thing who comes to visit you? Is there a reason she’s not here tonight?”

  “Banfrey…”

  “All right, I won’t pry. But I won’t let you sit here brooding either. It’s bad for business! Speaking of, you’ve been in town for quite a while. What of your business? Is it going so poorly you’ve nothing to do but sit here and mope?”

  Godwin took a sip of the wine. It was watery but still had a certain integrity to its flavor. He favored it over the beer, which tasted just terrible enough to make a man drink it quickly and forget himself.

  “Business has been slow,” Godwin admitted. “Which while bad news for me, is excellent news for everyone else.”

  “Indeed it is,” Banfrey agreed. “No demons or murderers that need slaying is a sign of happy times. All the same, why not seek out new clients if things are bad here? You could travel south. Valencia must be a gold mine for a Shigata in the prime of his talents.”

  “Valencia is crawling with Shigata for just that reason,” Godwin said.

  “Does the sight of your comrades trouble you so?”

  “Comrade is a strong word, even in my business.”

  “Well if the terrors of the Blood Wood aren’t enticing to you, then why not head north? There are elves in Coldclaw who don’t know which end of the sword goes in a demon. Surely you could find some good coin up that way.”

  “Be better off putting the sword in the elves,” a drunken man two tables over slurred. His party cackled like a pack of hyenas. Godwin kept his eyes down.

  “Hey! None of that now!” Banfrey was on his feet. “You make another remark like that and I’ll crack you over the head and throw you in the street.”

  The four wolves from the table across the room perked up at the sound of arguing. Godwin saw one of them fingering the hilt of a steel shortsword he wore on his back.

  The rowdy men quieted down. They knew the innkeeper was not bluffing; he’d done it before. Banfrey returned to Godwin. “Lousy drunks,” he said.

  “Funny to hear the barkeep complaining about drunks,” Godwin said.

  “I’ll complain about who I wish within the walls of my own establishment, thank you. In any case, better drunks than demons.” There was still an angry look in his eyes, but he was calming himself with wine.

  Just then an explosion of music swept over the room. A flugelhorn bounced merrily with the tabor and pipe that danced with it while a violin drove the song forward into a robust, melodic jig. In an instant the hall was filled with the scraping sound of a dozen wooden chairs being pushed back and the pitter-patter of laughing feet.

  “All the same,” Banfrey said once the room had adjusted. “You’ve been in town longer than I’ve known any Shigata to stay. If you’re thinking of retiring…”

  “Retiring?” Godwin raised an eyebrow. “Banfrey, you do know I’m just a year shy of thirty, don’t you?”

  “Aye,” Banfrey admitted, somewhat awkwardly. “But all the same, a different line of work will age a man differently. I’m just saying, should you wish to settle down, maybe wash some pans or learn to pour drinks—”

  “I’ll pretend you didn’t say that.”

  “I meant no offense. Is humble service beneath you, mighty Shigata?”

  “You come perilously close to angering me, friend.”

  Banfrey sighed. “Very well, master. I can see there’s no salvaging a bit of friendliness in you tonight. I shall try again when perhaps you find yourself in a better mood.”

  As he got up to leave Godwin said, “Your service is appreciated, as always.”

  Banfrey nodded and left Godwin to his thoughts.

  In truth the innkeeper had a point, Godwin considered. He had been in Hart much longer than he had intended. But that was alright. He still had some meager savings. It was enough to stay comfortably at Scorpion’s Lodge, and he had enjoyed his time there more than he had anticipated.

  “I can’t help but notice that you seem to be waiting for something.” The voice surprised him. Godwin looked up to see a beautiful woman with hair like a torrent of black ringlets and pink, welcoming lips.

  “Just resting. Alone.”

  The newcomer was not deterred. Leaning forward onto the table to reveal the cleavage of two voluptuous breasts, she whispered in his ear, “I can hardly hear you. We should talk upstairs. Somewhere a little more private. Tell me, what are you? A Dragon? A Mystic? I bet you’re a Seducer…”

  “I’m afraid you’re wasting your time. His affections are reserved for another.”

  Godwin looked up, surprised. Torin’s too-white teeth flashed brilliantly as he slapped Godwin hard on the back. The woman looked him up and down and shrugged before disappearing into the flowing crowd of dancers. As she walked away Godwin heard her huff something about, “those bloody Star-blessed.”

  “Well, does a brother-in-arms get a hug?” Torin asked. Without waiting for an answer, he wrapped his arms around Godwin and quickly sat down to help himself to some of his wine. His silver thrygta glittered from the chain on his neck.

  “You flash your thrygta obscenely, like its jewelry,” Godwin remarked.

  “Is that so?”

  Torin looked at his thrygta, playfully rotating it between two large fingers. Not all Shigata had silver eyes as Godwin and Torin both did, but they all carried the silver dragon-in-chains that was the symbol of their order. It was definitive proof of their identity. The thrygta depicted a fearsome dragon with a spiked head and chains wrapped around its snout.

  “And why not?” Torin went on. “Should I be ashamed of my profession? At least I can take mine off. You seem to have made yours a permanent part of any…intimate moments you might have. Tell me, does it excite the woman you bring into your bed?”

  “Why are you here?” Godwin was all too familiar with the games that Torin liked to play, and while he was glad to see his friend, that didn’t change the fact that he was in a foul mood.

  “To see if you’re still alive, for one,” Torin replied. “You’ve been staying in Hart so long our friends at Unduyo were starting to wonder if you’d been killed and replaced by an imposter.”

  “Well as you can see, I’m alive and well. Satisfied?”

  Torin chuckled while filling up another cup of wine. “Not at all. Given how skilled the real Godwin is at tinkering with his magical drinks, I trust nothing on plain sight. You could have easily forced him to brew you something that would grant you his ap
pearance. Don’t think I don’t smell you in there, assassin.”

  Godwin rolled his eyes. “Bio-mutagenic imitations are not possible. I’ve told you that before.”

  “Come now,” Torin pressed. “What have you done with my favorite alchemist?”

  “And how many times do I have to tell you? Alchemy is for elves. It’s old magic—”

  “Yes, yes,” Torin interrupted. “It’s old magic that you don’t like to bother with. Your precious potions are something else entirely. You’ve more than proven your identity so please, spare me the speech.”

  Godwin nodded. Through a large window overlooking the snowy hills of Hart, a blood-red sun dipped beyond sight and spilled light across the white horizon as it disappeared.

  “You’re clearly here for something,” Godwin said. “You might as well tell me what.”

  “Very well,” Torin huffed. Godwin noticed how, like him, Torin made a habit of keeping his eyes half-closed to better hide their silver hue. “You’re right that this isn’t a pleasure call though that’s hardly a reason to make it as devoid of pleasure as possible. I can’t imagine why you always insist on driving the joy from everything.”

  Torin looked towards the window. “The Sages have need of you, Godwin. That is, if you’re ready to get your hands dirty.”

  Godwin sighed. From the now empty carafe on the table he caught a glimpse of his own reflection. Jet black hair tied in a long braid that fell behind broad shoulders. Tightly drawn mouth set below angry silver eyes. What was he doing? This was no way to greet an old friend.

  “Forgive me, Torin,” Godwin said, trying to take the harsh edge out of his voice. “I’ve been in Hart long enough that it feels as if I’m starting to grow moss. I’m glad to see you.”

  Torin flashed another brilliant grin. “That’s the spirit. Now get off your arse! There’s work to do.”

  * * *

  “Tell me friend, how does city life suit you?”

  Godwin considered the question as they climbed the stairs that led to the modest ramparts that circled Hart. The sun had fully set, and the night was cloudless. The stars flowed like glowing stones in a great ocean, weaving and bobbing between each other.

  “They say the other day the Cat appeared,” Torin said when he saw Godwin looking up. “A good night for future Shigata to be born.”

  “Indeed,” Godwin said. He grew visibly uncomfortable with the discussion of the stars and quickly drew his gaze down.

  “Come now, Godwin, what more can the stars do to us beyond what they already have. If you haven’t learned to—”

  “Leave it, please,” Godwin said in a voice that would brook no argument.

  “Very well,” Torin said. “Then tell me about yourself. How are you enjoying the city? Are you eating well?”

  “I’m as physically capable of carrying out an assignment from the Sages as I’ve ever been,” Godwin said.

  “Is it so unthinkable that I was worried about your own well-being and not just examining your fitness for a mission?” Torin asked.

  “I think you were doing both, and my answer should satisfy both inquiries,” Godwin said. “As for Hart…I will admit that I’ve enjoyed my time here more than I thought I would. It’s far bigger than a town, and far smaller than Iryllium.”

  “The perfect fit, hm,” Torin said with a wry smile. “I wonder, are you talking about the place or the people?”

  “I’m talking about feeling well-rested. Satisfied. That’s all.”

  Torin nodded.

  “I’m glad to hear that. I suppose you’ll want me to tell you about Yaura?”

  Godwin grimaced. “I was about to ask. I trust she’s still doing well.”

  “Very. The Sages have taken a liking to her, and she’s quickly proving to be one of our most capable agents. Perhaps you could come with me to Unduyo and see her.”

  “Torin…”

  “What? You haven’t been home in how long now? A year? More? Why not come back to the castle? Black Wolf is a pretty sight in winter. The evergreens are thick with snow and there’s marvelous hunting to be done in the far corners of the island.”

  “Why don’t we discuss my homecoming after we discuss the reason you’ve come to find me? Better yet, you can answer something else for me first. I’ve heard some rumors, unpleasant ones. Are the Sages well? Does something trouble them? I’ve heard whispers that they feel Unduyo is not adequately protected. I can’t help but wonder what it might need protection from.”

  “Unpleasant rumors indeed,” Torin snorted. “Where did you hear such nonsense? Is it that woman who accompanies you around town? Selena?”

  Godwin stopped walking dead in his tracks.

  “What? You’re offended now? Don’t act surprised. It’s my job to spy.”

  “It would have been simpler just to ask,” Godwin said. His voice was a low rumble.

  “And what would you have told me about the lovely Selena had I asked about her?”

  “I would have told you to keep her name out of your mouth,” Godwin growled. “I would have told you that she is irrelevant to the business we have with each other.”

  “Very well, Godwin,” Torin said. “I apologize for being intrusive. To answer your other question, wherever you’ve heard your rumors, they’re not off-base. The Sages have grown anxious recently. Unduyo’s defenses have been reduced as more of our brothers and sisters travel the world in search of coin.”

  “Why not ask the King for aid? Surely he has an interest in keeping his finest warriors out of rags.”

  “One would think,” Torin acknowledged. “But King Boldfrost is a difficult man to speak with these days. Not that I’ve tried. But they say his priorities are, a bit skewed, to say the least. He’d rather surround himself with his wolves and let the affairs of the world pass him by.”

  “Hm.”

  “You’re wise to guard your tongue.” Suddenly Torin’s face was a brilliant smile. “Wiser still if you come with me to Unduyo. What do you say, Godwin? We can make for a crossing at Ice Bay tonight. Hell, if you’re feeling adventurous we could even take a couple of strong geldings south near Jagjaw. Maybe test our swords at Killer’s Rest?”

  Godwin snorted. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say your plan is to start looking for trouble in the wilderness. But would you really be so quick to have me abandon whatever mission you’ve come to assign to me?”

  “Oh, I can always find one of our brothers or sisters on the road if need be,” Torin insisted. His silver eyes shone with excitement. “Come on, what do you say? Want to take to the road with me and make for home?”

  “I say I think you better tell me what the Sages want.”

  A blast of icy wind washed over the two of them. The city of Hart was positioned on the western edge of Gaellos in the frozen strip of land known as the Chillway. The Eternal Sea that lay just a few miles to the west of them blended black and blue into a sky filled with moving stars.

  “If you insist,” Torin said, politely. He looked around the ramparts to ensure there was nobody near them and in a quiet voice said, “You are to assassinate the outlaw Kanjo.”

  Godwin frowned. “I thought I made my position on hunting men perfectly clear.”

  “You did. I also thought you were a man of the Shigata who is sworn to obey your orders. Orders, in this case I might add, that come not merely from the Sages but from King Boldfrost himself.”

  “King Boldfrost?” Godwin raised an eyebrow.

  “Yes,” Torin said. “Blue eyes, balding, wears a crown. Maybe you’ve heard of him?”

  “It’s been a while since I’ve heard of the King himself issuing orders to the Shigata.”

  “His majesty truly understands restraint,” Torin said with a roll of his eyes. “I don’t know why the orders were given. I’m simply the messenger.”

  “What did this Kanjo do to go pissing off a king?”

  “I haven’t the slightest idea. At least, I don’t have the slightest idea what he initially did
. But he was captured and for a time awaited trial in Snowpit. That is, until he escaped.”

  “Escaped Snowpit?” That gave Godwin pause.

  “Indeed. He slaughtered half-a-dozen wolves on his way out. It’s said they found guard dogs licking their blood the snow.”

  “Guard dogs? Then is it possible—”

  “That our Kanjo is Star-blessed? Perhaps has some special knack with animals? No. His eyes are blue.”

  “Hm. Then he must be a talented individual.”

  “He’s certainly talented at pissing off people in power. Lord Reymond Djaro is said to be at the prison now. The Lord of Hart is downright furious. He believes the King may hold him responsible for the whole debacle.”

  Godwin gripped the icy stones of the rampart. “He should be. Lord Djaro is the ruler of Snowpit.”

  Torin snorted. “Djaro is unfit to rule over the city’s chamberpots, let alone Snowpit. After all those brothers of his were killed by bloodlung, it’s said that he went a bit mad. Surely you’re aware Snowpit’s Warden would be the man to hold accountable. Ironskull, I believe his name is.”

  “That’s no family name.”

  Torin smiled. “Certainly not. I’m sure you can ask him who dubbed him such when you make your way to his prison. I hope you’ll not tell Lord Djaro what I said about him. I’d hate to have another lord as an enemy.”

  “Then maybe you should do a better job of watching your tongue,” Godwin said.

  “I believe you’re right. Now tell me, are you really going to accept this mission instead of riding south with me? Come on, let some other imbecile freeze his nuts off in Snowpit. We could be camping by a warm fire in the wilderness tonight and off adventuring by sunrise tomorrow!”

  Godwin took a moment to consider. He had grown too comfortable in Hart. It would normally never take him this long to make up his mind about something. Riding south with Torin was genuinely appealing. It would be good to get to Unduyo and see the Sages. But still…