The Dreaming Land

Chapter 28: Ultimatum

Down the road from the inn, at a restaurant on the corner, Quintir and Larken sat at a table. Much to his surprise, the knight only wanted to talk, it seemed. Orius would not have gone along with such a request, but he'd found Quintir alone. To him, Orius was too ready to kill all of his enemies. If Larken wanted to talk, then he felt obliged to do so. He seemed to be a man of honour, at least, so perhaps he could see reason.

"Thank you for coming here with me, Professor." Larken said, his voice rough like gravel.

"Your cohorts weren't so willing to talk," Quintir said, "I'm glad to see you're a more level headed man."

"To be honest," Larken sighed, "i had to distance myself with those two after Luna Astra. I'm not sure what his majesty was thinking, hiring them. They were too reckless."

"They did nearly manage to capture us." Quintir said, "They were opponents with skills not to be undermined."

"True enough," Larken nodded, "though the damages they've caused in their efforts were unnecessary."

"The damn was a bit overkill..." Quintir murmured.

The waitress arrived, setting down two mugs in front of them. Quintir had ordered a simple brew of black tea with some sugar. Larken had a cup of straight black coffee. Steam rose up from the surface of their drinks, swirling and dancing in the air above the mugs.

"Quintir, there's something I don't quite understand about you." Larken said.

"Which would be?"

"Your companions each seem to have a reason for coming all the way out here," Larken explained, "they've each got a goal, as far as I can tell. Orius and Imara both intended to the steal the shard, for personal reasons. For whatever reason he didn't sell the shard, which means he know about the rumour. Misha's a war orphan, and a street urchin. It makes sense she's tag along. I wonder about Imara, though. Her emperor employed her to take the shard, but now she's helping Orius? I'm not sure if she's got other motives, but then there's you..."

"You want to know why I'm here?" Quintir asked.

"Exactly," The knight nodded, "you had a great position at the academy, and yet you chose to become a wanted man on a whim and follow this band of thieves? Then assist them in murdering two hired hands for the King? I've got to say, it just doesn't add up."

"If you must know," Quintir started, "Orius presented me with an opportunity to study the shard. I've learned many valuable things along the way."

"What do you intend to do with this knowledge you've gained, Quintir?" Larken asked, "Do you think the King's army will just let you back into the Western Front?"

"Well, I..."

"You're a wanted man with a price on your head." Larken said, his tone heavy, "Did you think you'd just get to come back without consequences? The academy wont take back a fugitive. You hadn't thought about that, had you?"

Larken sipped his coffee, setting his mug to the side. Quintir wasn't sure what to say, the knight had a point. All of the information he'd gathered would mean nothing if he wasn't allowed back home to put what he'd learned to good use. Clearly Larken had a reason for bringing all this up, though.

"I want to offer you a bargain." Larken said.

"What does it entail?" Quintir asked.

"I want you to lure the other three into a trap." Larken explained, "I assume you'll be leaving tomorrow for the mountains? Lead them into the old scrap yard west of the city, and I'll be waiting to ambush them with a few guards."