Island of Darkness (51 page)

“She is staying at the Wayward Inn,” reported Goral. “Now we must determine which room.”

“How do you know?” inquired SkyDancer.

“She has a trick with the way she tethers her horse,” grinned Goral. “It is a simple knot that can be released quickly, but only if you are familiar with it. She taught it to me.”

“And me,” nodded HawkShadow. “I should have thought of that. You do well at this spying, Goral. I can see why StarWind likes to bring you along when she visits Omungan cities.”

“Actually,” replied Goral, “she brings me along to be a diversion most of the time. She can do some pretty unusual things while people are focusing their attention on me.”

HawkShadow chuckled and nodded. “We will enter the Wayward Inn and have a meal in the common room,” declared HawkShadow. “She will notice us when she passes through.”

“If she passes through,” frowned SkyDancer. “She might just stay in her room.”

“Not StarWind,” replied Goral. “She is a spy by nature. She would not be in an Omungan city to rest. She will be out snooping around even if she has no need to. I think resting and having a meal is an excellent idea. She will return eventually.”

HawkShadow led the way across the street, and the trio entered the Wayward Inn. The room was fairly empty, and HawkShadow chose a table in the corner. He slid into the corner with his back against the wall so he could observe the entire room. SkyDancer and Goral sat next to him.

The innkeeper came and took their order. When he delivered the food, the plates were only a third of what one would expect. SkyDancer was about to say something to the innkeeper when HawkShadow placed his hand on her knee. SkyDancer looked questioningly at the Sakovan assassin, but she said nothing. HawkShadow thanked the innkeeper, and paid the exorbitant price demanded. The old man left and returned to the kitchen.

“Do not forget that the Omungans are starving,” HawkShadow warned softly. “To comment on the small portions would make you stand out as someone who is foreign, not only to the city, but to the country.”

SkyDancer nodded silently, and the trio ate their miniscule meal in silence. When the time for the midday meal arrived, the common room remained empty. The trio sat softly talking among themselves. Finally the door opened and StarWind entered. She immediately noticed her friends in the common room. She locked eyes with HawkShadow as the innkeeper came out of the kitchen to see who had arrived.

“Forgot something,” StarWind smiled at the innkeeper as she turned around and exited the inn.

The innkeeper shrugged and returned to the kitchen. The Sakovan trio quietly rose and exited the inn. StarWind was not in sight, and Goral led the group to the alley alongside the building that led to the stables. StarWind was waiting.

“You should not group together like that,” warned StarWind as the others approached. “You will become too memorable. What are you doing here?”

“The fight in the Sakova has been abandoned,” explained HawkShadow. “We have come to help the Star in her endeavors.”

“I have heard about the troubles at StarCity,” frowned StarWind. “The Omungans know the location of our base. It is only a matter of time before they gain entrance to the city.”

“What is the situation here?” asked SkyDancer.

“I have had contact with Mayor Ferde,” answered the Sakovan spymaster. “I plan to visit him again today. Fortung has fallen to our Star. She is on her way here. I plan to find out exactly where Campanil sits before she arrives.”

“What can we do to help?” asked HawkShadow.

“There is nothing for you to do in Campanil,” replied StarWind. “Your help will be needed in Okata, though. Do you know where SunChaser lives?”

“I do,” answered HawkShadow.

“I have been there,” replied Goral. “Is that where we should meet up?”

“Yes,” answered StarWind. “It is good that you came, HawkShadow. I think SunChaser has a need for you. No doubt she will find a use for SkyDancer and Goral as well.”

“I would prefer to stay with you,” responded Goral. “If HawkShadow knows how to find SunChaser, I am not needed there.”

StarWind gazed along the alley distractedly. She finally nodded her head and smiled.

“Very well,” the Sakovan spy replied. “That will make it easier for the others to enter Okata. You always stand out.”

“Is Lyra going to press Campanil to defect?” asked SkyDancer.

“That was not the original plan,” answered StarWind, “but the answer is yes. We originally asked Campanil to stay out of the war, but things have changed a great deal. With Gatong and Fortung now allied with us, we cannot afford to leave Campanil in the Omungan camp. Lyra has ordered General Kapla to reverse his army and bring it down to Campanil. The noose is tightening on Okata.”

“Well, we will be in Okata waiting for the Star,” promised HawkShadow. Take good care of StarWind, Goral.”

The giant nodded and waved as HawkShadow and SkyDancer turned and left the alley. He turned to StarWind and grinned.

“Back together again,” he smiled. “Just like old times.”

“Perhaps,” smiled StarWind, “although these times are nothing like the past. I still find it hard to believe that we are battling the Omungans. I think you should go and stand near the northern gates of the city. I am expecting Lyra at any time. It would be good if you were there to meet her.”

“I can do that,” nodded the giant. “Where will you be?”

StarWind led Goral out of the alley and into the park in the center of the city. She nodded towards the large building that housed the mayor.

“See the window on the second story closest to the corner?” asked StarWind.

“That is the mayor’s office?” asked Goral.

“Yes,” replied StarWind. “That is where I will be. When Lyra arrives, have her send an air tunnel up there. Tell her to start the air tunnel as listen only. If there is need for her to speak, she will know it.”

“Be careful,” warned Goral. “Do not put too much faith in the words of Omungans.”

“Mayor Ferde has been honest with me,” replied StarWind. “That does not make him any less Omungan, but I expect to be safe.”

Goral looked up at the window and then turned and left. StarWind waited until he was out of sight before walking to the entrance gates to the building. One of the Imperial Guards stationed at the gates was also there the last time StarWind asked to speak to the mayor. He smiled knowingly as she approached.

“Would you tell Mayor Ferde that Samantha is here to see him,” smiled StarWind.

The sentry smiled and nodded and disappeared as he summoned a runner. StarWind ignored the soldiers as she waited by turning and gazing at the park. She turned again to face the soldiers when she heard the footsteps of the runner returning. No words were exchanged when the gates opened. StarWind walked through and nodded to the runner, who escorted her to the mayor’s office.

“Sit down,” invited Mayor Ferde as StarWind entered the office.

The Sakovan spy waited until the runner had closed the door before sitting in the offered chair.

“Have you had the chance to verify what I said the last time I was here?” asked StarWind.

“Some,” frowned Mayor Ferde, “but certainly not all of it. I have learned enough to know that it is in Campanil’s best interests to keep our soldiers close to home. I think we can settle on a bargain. I will try to keep our soldiers from attacking Sakovans, and you will promise that the Sakovans will not attack Campanil. Is that what you wished to hear?”

“That sounds a little one-sided,” frowned StarWind. “You said you would try to keep your soldiers from attacking. That is not much of a guarantee.”

“I know,” sighed the mayor. “It is the best that I can do. There are others above me who can overrule my orders. I cannot make a guarantee. Just a few days ago General Kapla led a huge army through here. He could just as easily have decided to set up camp in Campanil. There is nothing that I could do to stop that. If he did such a thing, my soldiers would certainly obey his orders. He is the Minister of Defense after all.”

“Well,” replied StarWind, “things have also changed on my end since we last talked. I do not know if you have received word yet, but Gatong and Fortung are now Sakovan cities.”

Mayor Ferde nodded without surprise. “I suspected something along those lines when the Minister of Defense led his own army northward. How does that affect Campanil?”

“The Star of Sakova now wants Campanil to defect,” StarWind declared.

“Defect?” echoed the mayor. “That is a far cry from keeping my soldiers inside the city.”

“It is,” agreed the Sakovan spy, “but it is now necessary. If the Sakovans decide to move on Okata, we cannot risk having a city behind us that has not declared allegiance. Surely, you can see that?”

Mayor Ferde stared at the Sakovan spy for several minutes before responding. He appeared to be weighing the risk of StarWind’s proposal, and the Sakovan spy let him ponder in silence.

“Many times,” Mayor Ferde finally said, “you have asked me to believe you, and I have done so. Now you retreat from your previous offer and present a new one. How am I supposed to balance that when you present yourself as always honest? Certainly changing the terms of a bargain do not constitute honesty?”

“You never accepted the bargain,” StarWind pointed out. “If you had, I would have a hard time relaying the wishes of my leader, but you refused. Also,” the spy continued, “you almost never took my word as the truth. You have always demanded to verify statements for yourself. I personally do not have a problem with such an approach, but you seek to portray it as something different.”

“Alright,” conceded the mayor. “You are correct about me verifying everything. That is my nature. And as to your proposal, you are correct that I did not accept it. Still, what you are asking is most extreme. I cannot possibly turn my city over to the Sakovans, even if I wanted to. I would be caught between Okata and General Kapla’s army. Only a fool would even consider such a thing, and I am no fool.”

“What if I could guarantee that neither Sakovans nor Omungans would attack Campanil?” posed StarWind.

“I fail to see how you could offer such a guarantee,” the mayor shook his head. “I like you, StarWind. You have courage far beyond anyone that I have ever met, and you have been honest with me, but I will not risk the lives of my people to your word alone. Your guarantee means nothing to Campanil.”

“Fair enough,” frowned StarWind. “Would the word of the Star of Sakova be any different?”

“I would accept her word for half of that guarantee,” conceded the mayor, “but I would not accept her guarantee of no attack from Omungans. She is incapable of offering such security.”

“Would you guarantee her safe passage to come into this office and present her case?” asked StarWind.

“The Star of Sakova in Campanil?” gasped the mayor. “I cannot imagine that she would ever attempt such a thing.”

“You met her in Okata when times were dangerous,” StarWind reminded the mayor.

“You are right,” conceded Mayor Ferde. “Perhaps she takes risks as you do.” The mayor remained quite for a time before continuing. “I will offer such a guarantee,” he finally nodded. “I prefer negotiations to conflict. If you think that she would be willing to come here and talk to me, I will guarantee her safety while she is in the city.”

“Will you send someone down to collect me?” asked a new voice as Lyra reversed the flow of the air tunnel that she had been using to listen in on the conversation.

The mayor jolted nervously at the sound of the voice. His eyes instantly scanned the room before landing on StarWind with a questioning expression.

“That is the Star of Sakova,” announced StarWind. “I guess she has finally arrived from Fortung.”

“Where is she?” questioned the mayor. “How was she able to speak in this room?”

“She is on the street below us,” answered StarWind. “As for her ability to be heard, the Star of Sakova has amazing powers. Will you send a runner down?”

The mayor paused only a moment before nodding and ringing a small bell on his desk. The door opened and a soldier stuck his head in.

“There is a young woman outside the gates,” declared the mayor. “She is to be escorted to my office. There will be no questions asked of her, and she will not be mistreated. Do you understand?”

The soldier nodded and withdrew. StarWind and Mayor Ferde waited silently for Lyra to arrive. Eventually the door opened and the Star of Sakova entered the office. The soldier closed the door as he departed.

“Thank you for seeing me, Mayor Ferde,” Lyra said. “I understand that you seek assurances of safety for the people of Campanil. I am capable of offering those assurances and much more.”

“Much more?” echoed the mayor. “As I mentioned to StarWind, I am willing to take your word that Sakovans will not attack my city, but I cannot accept any guarantees from you regarding the actions of Omungans. What else do you have to offer?”

“Food,” Lyra stated. “I have a ship outside your city right now waiting for my signal to enter your port. There is enough food to feed your people for several days. I can also have my mages restore your fields to health, and continue the food shipments until harvest.”

“Those are offers that I can greatly appreciate,” replied the mayor, “but there is one major guarantee missing. None of this matters if Campanil is forced to receive the wrath of the Katana. While the people may starve to death without food, their deaths are guaranteed if they disavow the Katana. I am not sure how you managed to gain the allegiance of the other cities of Omunga, but Campanil is not remote like the others. We would have little notice before the armies of Okata struck us down.”

“Whose word would you accept for a guarantee that Omunga would not attack you?” asked Lyra.

“Whose word?” echoed the mayor. “What kind of question is that? Are you going to get the Katana not to promise to attack Campanil because you don’t want him to? Let us not play games here.”

“I do not consider the lives of thousands of citizens in Campanil to be a game,” retorted the Star of Sakova. “I earnestly meant what I asked. If you will not accept my guarantee, whose will you accept?”