Chapter List

he hollow sound of a fist against rotted wood caused a small flight of sickly birds to scatter from the dead branches of a nearby tree. Unlike many of the others who hurried through the darker sections of Escator, the unarmed man wore no cloak and no cowl, but the left half of his face was covered with a thick dark gray cloth wrapped much like a bandage. A small portal in the door opened, revealing an unpleasant expression.

“I have an appointment,” the man said.

“This is not a hospital,” the gaunt-faced doorman replied. The portal snapped shut and the door opened.

“Who are you here to see?”

The bandaged man walked inside, causing the doorman’s candle to flicker as he strode past.

“The doctor.”

Even in the candlelight, the doorman could see the grotesque texture of the man’s face only partially concealed by the gray cloth. He had obviously been horribly burned, and seemed to be completely unable to focus his remaining eye.

“We have no medicine for your affliction, sir.”

“And I have asked for none,” the man replied. “Please inform the doctor of my arrival.” The doorman turned his head slightly to one side with an expression of distrust, then began walking towards the parlor. He glanced down, noticing the hilt of a very expensive looking dagger sheathed along the man’s boot. He paused, but decided to favor self-preservation over heroics.

A minute later, the bandaged man stood with his back turned, appearing to be examining an obviously forged painting, but actually watching the entry in a nearby mirror. He observed the reflection of a matronly woman walk slowly into the parlor.

“Kenesh Drun,” the woman said. “Welcome to Gacenar.”

Kenesh carefully examined the woman’s reflection, then, having verified her identity, turned to face her.

“Thea, it is agreeable to see you once again,” Kenesh replied. Thea squinted slightly, then a rueful grin crossed her taut face. She wore a simple black gown decorated with an enormous brooch encrusted with exquisite jewelwork.

“Won’t you join us?” Thea asked, inviting Kenesh to accompany her into the parlor. Kenesh obliged, but instinctively kept a distance and followed one step behind Thea’s pace. The distinguished-looking woman walked with a steady purpose. Her gray and white hair was pulled up by a circlet of pearls around a sharp coil at the top. In her hands she carried a pair of spectacles.

Kenesh took immediate account of the dining room as they entered. Three exits. Four people. One at the entry. He concluded those at the table would present no challenge. Both were dressed as merchants.

Drunk merchants with poor taste, Kenesh mused.

To most people the woman at the entry would have appeared to be nothing more than an overdressed merchant from the same guild as the others. She faked a sip of her drink as Kenesh passed and he noticed her posture shift subtly to favor her right shoulder. Her being armed complicated matters slightly.

But only slightly.

Continue to Chapter Four