Iron of the Innocent: Mistress of Agony (Vol 2)

Chapter 24: Fire in the Night

274 I.C.
Sacren
Solorn Kingdom
Solorn Province
City of Clendon

Shydler gazed at the dark clouds rolling in from the east. His brow came together slightly in concern, watching their approach. In addition to the black robes he wore, he carried his staff in his hand and a number of pouches on his wide, leather belt. He settled a satchel over his shoulder with a long, dark leather strap that crossed over his chest. He pulled his hair back into a tie. Climbing up onto the wide stone rail, he leapt out into the open air with an arcane push.

Plummeting downward and picking up speed, he whispered words of magic activating the spell in his mind. The ground rushing up to meet him suddenly slowed until he floated as light as a feather. Descending slowly, the air currents guided him down to land gently on the sloping, grassy area between the mage tower and road that skirted the edge of the property. With another incantation, somatic movements, and spent reagents the mage sat abroad an arcane, black stallion of shadow and rode silently toward the central area of Clendon.

The streets of the city bustled with people going about their early night time activities or wrapping up their business of the day. As Shydler rode, people made way for him and the uncanny horse beneath him. Some turned and reacted with surprise as the horse's hooves tread in silence upon the cobblestones beneath. Passing a large tavern, town folks and visitors regarded him with curious looks sitting on the wide porches drinking their brews or other beverages. One man drew lightly on his long pipe, the smoke drifting slowly on the air. Not long after, the wind began to pick up as the dark clouds creeped over the city.

Noticing one of the bridges leading over to the town center with its various buildings and military garrison, Shydler continued down the road. Looking forward, he gazed at the headquarters of the city guard on his side of the river with its stone walls and the large, thick, front gates. A squad of guards peered down at him from their perch on the walls, and others gazed at him as he approached the entrance.

The guards wore a standard uniform of chain mail supplemented by leather and carried swords, shields, or bows depending on their duty requirements. Each wore a tabard representing the insignia of the city guard that mirrored the large banners that marked the walls of their headquarters. Their flag fluttered on the wind above, and the embroidered insignia of a white shield over a sword rested among a field of blue.

Shydler came to a halt at the gates, looking down at the guards who approached him. One tall man eyed him warily, tightening the blue headband he wore. He rubbed his trimmed, dark brown, bushy moustache and beard as he walked to the right of Shydler's horse. One hand rested on his sword. "How can we help you this evening?" he asked roughly with his brows furrowed and a distrustful look in his hazel eyes. The man's hair was short and dark brown.

The mage carefully dismounted from his horse, dismissing and allowing it to dissipate into a cloud of black smoke. If it was not for the smile on his face and friendly tone he guessed the man would have drawn his sword on him. "Good evening," Shydler said, "I'm Master Wresgoth, and I have business with Inspector Sartonius Walsh. He informed me he maintained an office here with the city guard."

"I'm Corporal Runland," the guard said with a nod, once he determined Shydler was not an immediate threat that required his sword. "That is correct, Inspector Walsh does office here. What business do you have with him?" the guard asked with a tone of doubt in his voice.

"I have information in regard to a case he consulted with me on. A lead that I know he will want to hear," Shydler said openly. "He came to us at the mage stronghold requesting our help."

Corporal Runland squinted at him as he talked, his mouth twisting lightly, he did not appear to believe one word coming out of Shydler's mouth. "If you say so," he responded. The guard stood there looking at him for long, tense seconds, making the interchange feel awkward. The other soldiers watched in silence. One seemed angry as he fingered his weapon's hilt. "Okay," Runland said suddenly in a loud voice, "I'll take you to see the inspector. Follow me."