The Silken Key

Chapter 6

Detlef had no time to react. The shadowy figure took hold of Tabitha and pulled her back. Deep set eyes watched Detlef and Maddy, daring either of them to make a move.

"Release her!" Detlef ordered boldly.

Tabitha seemed to be getting over the initial shock and was now looking annoyed. "Is this normally how it goes when you swear to protect someone?"

"Answer the question!" The stranger barked, jerking Tabitha back again threateningly.

Detlef wondered if it would help or harm their situation to admit none of them actually knew anything about this 'Silken Key'. As he stared at their attacker, he started to realise he'd seen those eyes before. Dark eyes, olive-brown skin and pitch-black hair, dressed in the style of the eastern lands...

"You're the man who was going to the toilet!" Detlef exclaimed.

The man blinked. "I've never been called by that title before."

"Can we take a step back, here?" Maddy said, raising a shaky hand. "What exactly is going on?"

"Tabitha, I don't think he wants to hurt you," Detlef reassured the halfling. "Just tell him what you told me."

Tabitha didn't look any less irritated but she stopped struggling. "I was given a message from the realm beyond. I need to go to Ardu al-Zalam and look for something called The Silken Key. I don't know what it is or what it is for, only that I must seek it out there."

There was a tense moment while the man considered her words. Then, slowly, he took the knife away and relaxed his grip on her.

"You received those words?" he asked. "That cannot be right. I have just come from across the sea. I was told the Key was here in Alresbay."

Maddy clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention. "Right, you know when I said a moment ago 'can we take a step back'? Can we make it a slightly bigger step back? Far back enough for all of this to make sense? Who are you and why are you asking us about this Key?"

The man put away his blade but kept a watchful eye on Detlef and the others.

"Tariq al-Shujae."

"Bless you," Maddy said.

Detlef winced. "I think that is his name."

Tabitha turned and backed away until she was stood between Detlef and Maddy, rubbing her neck even though the knife had not touched her. "Just like a foreign mercenary to think he can get answers with a blade. Why don't you tell us what you know about the Silken Key?"

"And more importantly, who told you it was here?" Maddy added.

From around the corner up ahead, an old man appeared pushing a wheelbarrow full of parsnips. All four of them fell silent as the old man walked by, whistling to himself and mumbling a quiet 'good afternoon' as he passed. Tariq, Tabitha, Detlef and Maddy all looked from one to the next, waiting for the man to pass. This was confusing enough already without involving more strangers.

Once the old man was gone, all eyes were on Tariq again.

"Very well," he said. "I was sent here by the Grand Wazeer of Brenmarsh, who, by divine sight, has identified an artefact of great power. This artefact - this Key - is being sought by a powerful necromancer."

"So...the talk of necromancers returning in the east is true?"

"Yes, at least one that I know of. My mission is to find the Key before the necromancer does. If it falls into his hands, who knows what sort of darkness could cover the world."