Retribution (Drakenfeld 2) by Mark Charan Newton Read Free Book Online Page B

the wall that separated the two prefectures, and headed to the huge gate. The guards at the station point were perplexed that we would want to leave at this hour; but I stressed that I was on official business.
    ‘You’ll not find much out there but madmen who worship savage gods,’ one said, tipping up the brim of his helmet. ‘All the sanity is this side.’
    ‘Even a madman thinks he sees the truth,’ I replied.
    Without response they shuffled over to the gates and began to haul back the double doors. ‘We’ve had more soldiers return, and there are more coming back later, so the place will be busier – just to warn you. At least you’ll be more secure though.’
    ‘Where are they returning from?’ I asked, hoping to get a glimpse into the military procedures. All I knew was that these people had a strong military tradition, especially their cavalry, and that their warriors were proud and noble people – even if there were not many excuses to fight these days.
    ‘They’re coming back from all over,’ one replied. ‘By all accounts the border with Detrata is going to get livelier.’
    ‘Why do you think that is?’ I asked, somewhat surprised. ‘No one’s at war.’
    He gave a short laugh. ‘Not yet. But we hear all sorts of strange talk about troop movements on the border.’
    ‘Nothing will happen,’ I declared. ‘We’re a continent in union. We have been for two centuries.’
    ‘Aye. Tell that to the soldiers at the border.’
    We were ushered through the small gap they made in the gate, and the gate shut behind us. For a moment we stood outside the door, and I felt a little numb at what had been said.
    ‘You do not think that it is serious?’ Leana asked.
    ‘It is difficult to say anything on the subject knowing so little about it. I’d wager that Sulma Tan can let us know what is happening from a Kotonese perspective, but what on earth is happening in Detrata? Has the Senate gone mad to start military operations of this kind? Then again, it could just be a skirmish over a trade route – a mere tension between nations that will be settled diplomatically, as happens so often. I will ask for more information from the Sun Chamber when I write to them in the morning. But for now, we have our case to resolve.’
    Moonlight caught the angles of the buildings in a particularly sinister manner, which might have explained why few people were around at this hour. Unusual, animalistic utterances were coming from beyond the edges of the streets; unfamiliar dialects and strange-sounding words highlighted the sense of alienation.
    A soothsayer collared us in the streets, her rancid breath carrying portentous omens – that we would find nought but death in the city. ‘There’ll be bodies and bodies,’ she muttered. ‘Bodies and bodies everywhere.’
    ‘Thank you, lady,’ I said, excusing myself, but to no avail.
    Leana was a little more forceful with her request to be left alone and at the sight of the blade, the soothsayer bowed and retreated into the darkness.
    ‘That people believe such nonsense only encourages soothsayers like that,’ I remarked.
    ‘People will believe anything,’ Leana muttered.
    This was not the time for me to bring up Leana’s own strange beliefs concerning living among spirits, so I maintained a diplomatic silence.
    A fine mist had worked its way up from the river, leaving only our immediate surroundings fully visible. There was no sign of any soldiers as yet. The place was eerily quiet.
    ‘So what is your plan?’ Leana asked. ‘Do we walk around here until we get stabbed?’
    Looking around, it wasn’t likely that anyone would try to hassle the two of us other than the soothsayer.
    ‘We should find a tavern,’ I concluded. ‘The nearest one.’
    ‘You want a drink?’
    ‘Not exactly.’
    We continued walking through the dingy, twisting lanes until we spotted a whitewashed building with timber frames and a brazier burning outside. The smell of spilt wine and