Black Hat Page 25

  Crusaders hurried to the platform steps but Tannen waved them off. The bishop stared at me for a long moment. Two knights dragged a bound Kyle to the deck.

  "You and your friend will only find suffering if you go against us," warned Tannen.

  "That's funny. I was gonna tell you the same thing."

  His eyes hardened. "You think this is a game?" he snarled. "Hang them!"

  Crusaders rushed up the steps. I plowed my boot forward and kicked one down. The guard watching Izzy came at my back. I swung my spear and landed a solid blow that forced him back. I followed with unrelenting swipes that put him on his heels. He accidentally backed off the edge of the platform. I grabbed Izzy's wrist.

  "Izzy! Come with me! Get up!"

  She was groggy and barely responded. Crusaders came at me with slashing blades. I twisted my spear into a crossblock. My skills recharged, I followed up with a deadshot that slammed one to the ground.

  "Kyle! Break outta there. We need to go!"

  He shoved against his captors. "I can't! It won't let me fight them."

  I clenched my jaw as more swords flashed my way. Another crossblock. Another return swipe. But I had to back away. Knights swarmed the deck and flooded around Kyle and Izzy. The recharge time of tornado spin prevented reusing it any time soon.

  "Get him!" snarled Tannen hungrily. "I want all of them wearing nooses!"

  The wave of crusaders pressed forward. I slashed at another two but their blades finally found me. I took several quick hits as they threatened to surround me. Finally, my heels backed over the edge of the platform. I spread my arms to keep from falling.

  Agility Check...

  Pass!

  Just as I regained my balance, a sturdy kick was planted into my stomach. I flew backward, right over a mosh pit of black tunics below. As I fell, I knew I couldn't beat them all. I'd led us to destruction.

  Tumbling midair, I gazed skyward and caught a white flag billowing in the wind. The rope. Instead of crashing to the dirt or into the grasping arms of knights below, I activated dash and launched straight up. I caught the rope and looped around, slowing my momentum and planting my foot on the top. The line bounced wildly.

  Agility Check...

  Pass!

  I ran up the rope, away from the platform and toward the stands.

  "Cut the rope!" yelled the bishop. "Get him!"

  They were already onto it. I stashed my spear and took only three more steps before I felt the tension release. As the rope slackened, I grabbed it with both hands. I was high enough now above the heads of the spectators that I held on tight and swung right into the stands. It was a hard landing but I didn't let up. The crusaders were chasing me. Still clutching the rope, I charged up the seats, weaving past aggressive and supportive residents alike. As I ran, I looped the rope around my forearm to pick up the slack.

  "Talon!" boomed the bishop.

  At the peak of the Circus' outer wall, I spun around. Knights clambered into the bottom of the stands, slowly moving to intercept me. On the central platform, Izzy and Kyle stood with nooses wrapped around their necks. Tannen climbed the platform steps and stood grandly in the center, placing the Eye of Orik back on display.

  "You wouldn't leave before the main event, would you?"

  Kyle: Get out of here, bro.

  Izzy: Do it. It's too late for us.

  I gritted my teeth, helpless to do anything.

  The bishop smiled and swept his gaze over the crowd. "Let it be known that the catechists do not tolerate dissidents, whether they wear a mantle or not. As of this moment, the Protector of Stronghold is a fugitive. The drunkard and the mystic are sentenced to house arrest for their collusion. If any of the three are seen outside Dragonperch, they are to be killed on sight."

  I scowled as his eyes landed on me. He smiled, genuinely this time.

  Crusader Reputation -100

  "Of course, reform does not come without punishment." Instead of turning to his men he kept his gaze on me. "Pass the sentence."

  I grimaced. Trap doors beneath Izzy and Kyle swung open and their bodies snapped hard against the rope.

  [Izzy] is dead

  [Kyle] is dead

  I shook with rage. The only thing keeping the bishop from breaking into laughter was the solemn countenance he wore for the crowd. I tuned out whatever morose words of absolution his lips blathered. That was a play for the audience. He spoke to them with his eyes entrenched on me.

  "I'll kill you," I mouthed.

  Again and again. As many times as it took.

  Directly below, crusaders climbing the stands had nearly reached the top. They'd been smart about it and had fanned out, flanking me, diminishing my options. My face soured and I turned away from my friends.

  I stood on the precipice of a ninety-foot drop to the ground outside the Circus. Gripping the rope in my hand, I charged out and leapt clear of the building. I fell half the way before the jumble of slack in my arms slowed me down. After another twenty feet I caught hard and banged into the wall. From there I unlooped the rope and ran down the wall to the ground. The landing was jarring, but I'd avoided damage.

  I had no time to rest. Hurting all over, I pressed to my feet and ran.

  "Protector!" called a watchman from a side alley. "This way."

  I didn't have time to think the offer over. I headed through the alley as more watchmen rushed past me. Crusaders spilled into the streets, but the city watch greeted them without reporting my presence. There were still some good people left in the city.

  I sighed in relief and hurried away.

  0940 Mount & Blade

  Moving around in Stronghold, even in daylight, was easier than usual. Tannen's big production had attracted most of the residents and thus most of the crusader security. I passed through an alley on my way to Front Street, watching the road for the smallest signs of activity. I was ready for just about anything. Then a large mountain bongo trotted between the shops ahead and completely surprised me.

  I paused and blinked, unsure if what I'd seen was real. "Bandit?" I called in a throttled whisper. There was no answer.

  I advanced cautiously. I'd last seen the girl the morning before, right before we headed into Shorehome. But that didn't make sense. It had taken us two days to ride to the seaside city. She couldn't have made it back so quickly.

  Then what did I just see?

  I peeked around the corner as hooves disappeared past a fence in a shaded glade. Hesitation overtook me for a moment, but I felt pretty safe in the city. My dragonspear and skill combo were only a second away if I needed them. I took an anxious breath, looked up and down Front Street to ensure the way was clear, and rushed toward the glade.

  I skirted the fence and Bandit stood there. She kicked the dirt and wiggled an ear. "Bandit! You're back." She practically bowled me over as I clasped my arms around her neck. "Good girl."

  The mountain bongo snorted and drew away. Noting my confusion, she banked her head to the side. I followed the signal toward an open shed and spied a figure standing in the darkness within. My weapon was immediately in hand.

  "Easy there, matey," he said, lifting his hands into the air. Errol Oates stepped out into the sunlight.

  I lunged forward to protect Bandit and leveled my spear at the pirate. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

  Errol grinned and wiggled his arms. "Ye might want t' be watchin' the point o' that weapon. These upraised hands be a universal gesture fer peace."

  "And this is a universal gesture for 'Fuck off, pirate.' " I jabbed the spear closer to his face. He deftly hopped back. "You know," I warned, "you're lucky that scar through your eyebrow never made it down to your eye. I can correct that."

  "Peace," he urged. "Parley."

  "This isn't a friggin' Disney movie! There's no such thing as a pirate's code!"

  "Aye, 'tis true. A man's ethics be his alone."

  "Ethics? You're a turncoat pirate. You have no ethics."

  Errol's eyes flared. "I be a
pirate, all right. That's a badge o' honor, where I come from. But I ain't no turncoat. I'll not have you spread such lies."

  "I don't believe this."

  "Ye should, Talon. Why, yer the very reason I'm here. As soon as ye fled Shorehome, I set sail to yer northern coast. Even found yer stray on the way an' figured I'd take her along as a peace offerin'."

  "Peace?!?" I gagged. I couldn't even keep my temper down. I swiped the spear to the side, and as his eyes were on it I caught his chest with my hand and shoved him into the wall of the shed. I pressed my face close to his and held the spear to his neck. "Give me one reason I shouldn't open your throat right now."

  He grimaced but didn't whimper. Errol showed his teeth and spoke bravely. "Fer one, if I were dead, who do ye think would've salvaged yer precious dragonspear or the pixie's snow staff?" I paused and considered him. His grin widened. "Not yer friend Lucifer, surely?"

  My brow wrinkled. "You did that?"

  "Course I did, boy."

  He had a righteous tone so I shoved him into the wall again. He grumbled.

  I remembered seeing a frigate on the water before confronting Lucifer. That must've been him. "Wait, you really do have a boat?"

  He smiled cheekily. "They don't call me captain fer nothin'."

  I blinked uncertainly. "I guess not. What happened out there?"

  Errol grimaced, more than a little annoyed. "Like I said, I set sail. Saw the dragon on the Salt Sea. Ye were impossible t' miss, actually."

  "With Vagram and Lucifer," I pressed. "What happened with them?"

  "That's quite simple, boy. The cleric betrayed ye, as was always his plan. That devil on the dragon was already fleein' by then, but he sprayed one last blast o' acid on the island as a partin' gift. 'Twas more than the wounded cleric could handle. I docked aside the Salt Sea an' made my way across, searchin' fer survivors." His head took a smug lean. "Found naught but yer stuff. And I returned it, like a proper pirate."

  My breath was laced with anger and adrenaline. It came heavy and filled the space that my words didn't. Bandit snorted. We followed her gaze and heard the marching soldier. I loosened my hold on Errol and we ducked into the shed. A single knight strode by, ignorant of our presence.

  "She's a beautiful beast," noted Errol quietly. "Smart as a whip."

  I gritted my teeth but nodded at the compliment. It was still hard to show the pirate any goodwill. It was one thing for movie pirates to constantly betray their friends, but that didn't fly in digital reality.

  "You lured me to Shorehome under false pretenses," I muttered.

  He nodded unapologetically. "That I did."

  "You turned me over to the Brothers in Black. They were gonna sell me to the goblins."

  "That much I tried t' prevent. My intention was to gather yer assistance, somethin' you freely willed t' the city. Ye heard me appeal t' Papa Brugo."

  I scoffed. "Your appeal wasn't good enough. I could've been executed, like my friends just now."

  Errol spat on the ground. "There's trouble, is there? Tell me, Talon, is it these priests yer up against, or is it me?"

  I ground my teeth and looked away.

  "They be the enemy. You can be mine and I can be yers, but 'twould accomplish naught. The fight be with the priests an' the saints an' those that would control us." He leaned into me. "That's why I wanted ye in Shorehome. The Protector o' Stronghold. The defier o' saints. Ye are the one who can free us, as ye freed yerself."

  I strolled outside again. "You have it backwards. The saints control this city. Or they did until the crusaders took it from them. Shorehome's the free one." He followed me out and we studied the road. "Is it true the saints abandoned you?"

  "As far as I know," he said. "But our freedom runs like the tide. We swell with strength an' extend ourselves but will surely be met with equal resistance. Once this army is done with ye an' yers, it'll come fer me an' mine."

  My face darkened. Errol was dead-on about that part. No way Tannen would rest while a bunch of goblins lived it up in a fishing village. Shorehome was a hard place to get by in. Men and goblins would have to work hard together, but that wouldn't be enough for the bishop. No matter how much they contributed, he'd see them as little more than an infestation.

  "I never trusted them crusaders," growled the pirate. "I made that clear days ago. But I'm not one t' change a man's mind. I said me piece and let ye judge from their actions. I think the truth is now clear."

  Truth. Damn that word. I'd known a lot of truths since establishing a permanent residence in Haven. Lucifer himself endlessly manipulated people with truth. Just because Errol made a good point now didn't mean he was suddenly trustworthy.

  Then again, I was currently a fugitive. I didn't need trustworthy so much as I needed street savvy.

  "So what do you want?" I asked. "Right here, right now, you're back. Is this all just to say sorry?"

  He chuckled. "Pirates don't apologize, boy. We're men of action." He rapped the pommel of his rapier. "An' that's why I'm here. I saw what I saw when ye traveled with the cleric. I know yer heart, boy. I know ye'll fight fer me people. In return, I'll fight fer yers."

  Swift action was better than being indecisive. "Fine, but if I get even a whiff of secret antics, you're answering for everything."

  "This ain't about anythin' else but survival."

  He strolled out to Front Street. I made sure it was clear and joined him, with Bandit following.

  "Damn." I pointed across the river. A congregation of knights clumped around Dragonperch.

  " 'Tis okay. Old Errol's a master smuggler. We can sneak in another way."

  He led me under one of the Front Street pedestrian bridges. A small skiff was tied out of sight. The three of us hopped in and stayed low as he paddled down the brickwork river. It was broad daylight, but we hugged the wall close, below ground level. I gave it a decent shot we wouldn't be spotted. After all, Errol had done this before when he snuck into the grotto and made Kyle blow himself up.

  On gentle water, we neared the tower. I held my breath and watched the pirate work. He was a grizzled man. A survivor, no doubt about it. That made the poofy white shirt and flared collar more humorous. But his outfit was functional. Gloves, knee-high boots, leather pants. He moved silently and quickly, whether over water or dry land.

  I was beginning to think we'd make it when a crusader taking a leak into the river jerked his pants closed. "Oi!" he yelled. "I've got him!"

  "Piss all." Errol abandoned stealth and paddled faster. "Even the finest plans bend t' the mercy o' Mother Nature." We docked at the grotto and quickly hopped out. Errol moved to tie the boat down but the crusader was already navigating his way along the narrow precipice to intercept us.

  "Leave it!" I said.

  He did and hurried through the grotto gate just as I closed it. The lock clicked tight and we pulled away as the crusader punched a fist into the metal. "Fie! Open this bloody at once!"

  "Ah ah ah," I scolded, wagging a finger in the air. "You wouldn't want the priests to hear that kind of language."

  His face twisted and I laughed. Bandit, Errol, and I made our way down the tunnel and entered Dragonperch.

  0950 Prisoners of War

  We were safely inside, but our secret exit was burned. Besides covering the main door and the drawbridge, the crusaders posted a party outside the grotto gate.

  "This is just great," I complained. "Some expert smuggler you are."

  "Laugh it up," returned Errol. "But it's ye who put the screws t' me. Now I be trapped here an' guilty o' consortin' with the likes of ye. Me neck'll snap as easily as yers."

  Izzy sat in the war room with her arms crossed, slight twitches the only thing marring her mask of hatred. Kyle appeared less outwardly homicidal, but he didn't have a beer or a snack so I knew it was serious. Errol stared out the window. A ring of catechist priests circled the tower. Crusaders backed them up two rows deep.

  "You lose any good gear?" I asked.

  "No," answered Ky
le. "Apparently official executions within city limits are handled differently than normal deaths. No drops."

  "Then what are you two stewing for?"

  "Besides being prisoners in our own home?"

  Izzy stared wordlessly at the table.

  I leaned against the wall and pinched my nose to help me think. "Prisoners," I repeated. "Besides the twenty-four-hour lockdown, we're not allowed to leave Dragonperch anyway, under penalty of death."

  "Pretty much."

  "How could he do that?"

  Errol chuckled. "It's about control, boy. Ye represent a threat t' the bishop. With ye disposed of, he's free t' exercise his will on the people."

  I sneered. "Except I'm not disposed of."

  "Ye are as long as ye remain in here."

  I shook my head. Pinching my nose or rubbing my eyes wasn't working anymore. "What about you?" I asked Izzy. "You don't have anything to add? Not even a flurrg?"

  Her lips slanted into a smirk. "We're way beyond flurrgs, Talon."

  "Okay, the ball's in our court then. Talk to me."

  She hiked her shoulders. "What do you want me to say?"

  "I don't know. Anything. Whatever's on your mind."

  She pouted for a moment. "Okay, well, I'm really struggling to answer why the crap you'd bring this asshole into our house."

  Errol strolled by Izzy and bowed. "Me lady, the poetry that dances from yer lips be mesmerizin'." She grumbled as the pirate walked to the far end of the table, sat down, and unceremoniously kicked his feet up.

  I sighed several times as I failed to properly explain the situation.

  "I dunno," said Kyle. "I think it's a smart play. It doesn't matter that me and you are locked down. We're players. We can't fight back, but NPCs like Errol can, right? Honestly, he's more useful than we are right now."

  My face brightened. Izzy didn't respond, but I thought just maybe there was a sparkle in her eye. I chided myself that, of the three of us, it was the frat boy who was thinking clearly.