Lost Ones - A False King

Chapter 16 - The Hat Maker

Rain lashes against the windows as lightning flashes across the sky.
In the Whitepool District, in a small house next to a barn, Korbach Redurb sinks heavily into a deep, worn-out armchair, his shoulders slumping with exhaustion. Despite the soft cushions, the chair offers no peace to his troubled soul.
Korbach's thoughts spin around the shocking news Ko had shared with him today. Every flash in the sky mirrors the unrest in his mind, so much that he even forgot to light a lamp in his room.

Before him, lying on the worn carpet, is the letter he wrote for Ko to send to his "friend from far away." His gaze remains fixed on the words, as if they could be of help to him, about the loss that not only Ko has to bear, about his friend from far away and about future events that he will surely set in motion when he sends this letter. Through the murky, rain-streaked glass of his window, he spots the shape of a woman knocking repeatedly on the front door. He is so lost in his thoughts that he barely registers the repeated calls of his name. When he finally realizes they aren't figments of his imagination, he comes back to his senses and stumbles to the door, turns the key in the lock, and opens it.

"Emina," he says, startled. "What are you doing here?!"
"Korbach," she replies urgently. "My children?"
"What?" he responds, confused.
"My children," she repeats, catching her breath. "They haven't come home. Are they here?"
"Your ch...?"
Then it dawns on him.

"Oh no."

He quickly grabs his coat.
"Do you know something?" she asks, her voice tinged with anxiety.
"We'd better hurry. I'll explain everything on the way."

Korbach's house lies between his shop and Ko's cabin, and they reach it in just under fifteen minutes. On the way, they only had to avoid the few soldiers patrolling the streets. The only real obstacle, slowing them down slightly, is Korbach's age. At seventy-four, he is neither the youngest nor the fastest, but he knows every corner and hiding spot in the city. His experience compensates well for his lack of agility and speed.

As they walk, Korbach tells Emina how Emmod and Novel had shown up at his shop earlier that day and about Ko's sudden return.
"Did he say anything else?" Emina asks, glancing around to make sure the street is clear before crossing it.
Ko had said plenty more, but Korbach didn't want to burden Emina with it.
"Nothing important," he lies, avoiding her gaze.

Of course, Korbach could have told her about the events in Saharka or the letter he had written for Ko, but he also knows Emina's stance on the matter. She would never allow it, nor would she forgive him if he sent the letter. Best to let Ko tell her himself about Saharka and the letter, Korbach thinks.

Emina already on the other side of the street waves him over. 
"Korbach," he hears her call. 
Korbach snaps out of his thoughts, confirms the street is clear, and slips over to her side.

After a couple of short alleys, passing the Dragon Cup, and a half-dozen turns, they stand directly across from Ko's cottage.
"Do you think they're still there?" Emina asks.
"With this weather, they'd be crazy not to be," Korbach answers.
"But the lights are out," Emina observes.

"Maybe they fell asleep," Korbach guesses. Emina runs to the cabin, while Korbach stops in the middle of the dark road. His gaze falls suspiciously on a house. A person is standing at the window, who quickly hides when Korbach notices and does not reappear.

Emina pounds her fist against the door.
"Is anyone in there?" she asks, her voice anxious.
"We don't have much time," Korbach says, catching up to her.
"Emmod? Novel? Ko!" she calls, louder each time, trying to open the door.
"Wait," Korbach says firmly, narrowing his eyes as he examines the door more closely.
"Look up here," he says, pointing. "The door's been forced open and only set halfway back into place."
"This is Ko we're talking about," Emina responds. "I'd be more surprised if it wasn't."
"May I?" he asks.
"Be my guest," Emina says, stepping aside.