Fear's Union

Chapter Twenty-Nine

—Keles—

The rain was hammering, drenching Keles and his horse without prejudice. Lightning flickered across the sky, followed obediently by a grating rumble of thunder. The heavy fur cloak provided remarkable protection against the late-summer torrent, but it was not enough. He was soaked.

The note that guided him was folded delicately in a lizard skin purse, protection against all but the worst weather conditions. This torrid night was testing the capacity of even that expensive item. He hunkered forward, conceding to his horse's sense of direction. Every now and then he looked up, just to check that the distant glow remained centred. It was there, and it was getting closer.

It was the deep night when he arrived at the small town, sheltered torches hissing and spluttering. It was a walled town, one that had been inherited from the Delfinians – the previous custodians of Ahan. The wall was not high, but it was solidly built. A gate barred the road, and when he thumped it, a small iron viewing hatch snapped open, revealing a beady eye.

"Who is it?"

He was drained both mentally and physically. He had never truly recovered from the battle of Altunia, and the effort of facing criminal charges had wiped any residual strength from his body. The pain of breaking ties with Xen was almost a step too far, and Aran's suicide had layered a sprinkling of distress over the whole emotional knot. Now he rode to his tutor, and he stewed unhealthily. Xen's words lingered, and they burrowed deep. Could he really trust this man?

He shook his head. The beady eye wanted an answer.

"I am Keles, of the Mandahoi. I require shelter and food."

What he was really after was Kato, and that man was here. Hiding. Could he really bow down to this oddity, a man who Xen called a coward? But he wasn't a coward, not really. He was the Axis, and just imagine what he could learn from the man. All he had to do was endure Kato's company. Was that a price worth paying?

"You ain't no mandahoi. Get lost."

He had neither the mood nor the patience to practise courtesy. He rose majestically atop his horse, and in a heartbeat, Mandahoi steel flashed from his side. The weapon quivered at the eye of the guard.

"How dare you question me—"

The gate opened.

It did not take long to find the inn. After all, there was only one. A sign hung above the door portraying a deer being speared by a naked woman, although the image was barely recognisable in the terrible weather. He dismounted and stroked the nose of his horse. No doubt that was barely a comfort for the poor beast, but at least they were here now. It had been a hard journey. Soon his mount was feeding, happy with its head in a trough. He went to the inn, hoping for much the same.

Inside the inn was dark except for a dim lamp which burned behind a counter. The door thumped against an internal wall, and an attendant spluttered into life.

"Wh... What time do you call this?"

He stepped in, heavy steps and heavy drops of water slapping the ground. The attendant softened, but not overly so.

"What can I do for you, sir?"

He was not a sir, but he did not correct the man. "I am here to see a guest of yours. He is called Axel." Or so the cryptic note suggested.

The man's face shifted, and his lips twisted upwards. He shook his head, tutting with it. "I'm afraid there is no-one here by that name."

Bastard. He stepped toward the worktop, and the man flinched, but the smile didn't waver. The receptionist's hand went below the counter, most likely to some sort of weapon. The prospect was wearisome.