XI
"I see you used my arrows well." A dark voice greeted them from within the trees. The rain had yet to put out the smouldering ashes; more of a fine mist, it cloaked the area in chill. Dew rested on the shrubs and grasses; the soft breeze caused tendrils in its wake. Droplets clung to the underside of trees, and even in the forest, it seemed more white than grey. The damp got everywhere.
"It seemed fitting," Undaunted as ever, Sendai displayed as much emotion as her sister.
Illasera exercised her trademark silence.
"I could have killed you, drow." The last word was uttered as an oath.
"What stayed your hand?"
Nothing.
"You saw us in Beregost." Not a question. "Heard of our handiwork in Nashkel. Witnessed our slaying of brigands. You range far."
Still nothing.
"We seek revenge too." Softly now, so softly, "You watch my sister's rite. You know the blood oaths."
His silence was affirming and damning.
"Will you aid us?"
He was gone.
—
Back in Beregost, Vai returned to find the two sisters sipping mead and ale. The journey, though it had taken the better part of four days, was uneventful; not a single bandit crossed their path. It was almost as if someone had been watching over them, a guardian shadow perhaps? The living, nor the dead disturbed them.
Upstairs, Aerie rested in a bed beside Xan's. Xan, apparently, was the elf the sisters' had rescued. Arriving shortly after their departure, the frail elf ministered to her patient. It turned out that she had caught a ride with a rather angry dwarf, whose temper had been only somewhat mollified by the wagonload of ore he procured. As the first contractor in several months, he demanded outrageously low rates as it would take days before the iron proved its worth. He also insisted on an armed escort right the way to the borders of Beregost, and demanded a contingent of Fist meet him there. Somehow, he got his way.
It wouldn't be long before Kagain came banging on their door.
"We've got nothing," Vai informed them coldly, then without invitation slumped down, her plate mail skirt creaking as her chain shifted. The three legged stool groaned under her. The broadsword carrying her order's sigil stuck out at an awkward angle until she removed her belt and propped it against the wall. There was no mistaking the Fist's steel: the pommel was too distinctive for even bandits to wield. Most, therefore, severed the pommel and kept the blade. The resulting imbalance ruined the tempered steel's weight, but the stripped gilding fetched a few coins. Vai's, Sendai observed, lacked any ornamentation: it was a purely practical instrument. Illasera had lectured her on the difference, filling in her ignorance when she learned of it. The elf took it as a personal affront that she was unaware of ceremonial and battle-worthy weaponry.
The long dagger Vai carried, however, stayed with her.
They waited. The short, freckled woman's eyes were steely. Her foray found the camp decimated, the bandits scattered and the dead mounted, corpses littering the field, and more shot down as they tried to flee. Some stalked for days. And no sign of Tazok. "Tenhammer fled." She informed them shortly, then spelt out briefly the violent clash between the Amnish guard and the Talons. "Bounty hunters are tracking him."
Sendai offered the brief nod.
"There's been no sign of Tazok? Without him, we've nothing. No leads… Davaeron came up empty. It's as if he doesn't exist. Tranzig knows less than nothing. The coward soiled himself at just the threat of interrogation." She sighed heavily, and waved for a tankard, "The bandits are dispersed, but where we go from here…"
Wordlessly, Sendai produced the oilskin satchel. Vai's eyes widened then thinned as she scanned the contents, "Why did you wait to show me this…?" Frustration turned to controlled jubilation, "We've got him!"
"Papers can be forged," the drow cautioned softly.
"True," Vai released a long breath, then met the pair's eyes, "I want you to go to Cloakwood and find this mine."
Illasera didn't move; the drow upheld her demeanour.
"I'm sorry," The Flaming Fist Officer released a breath, "but this isn't over until we have Tazok. I'll see to it personally that any expenses are covered, that you are well paid–"
"Coin is not the issue here." Sendai interrupted softly.
"You scattered the bandits; gods know how, but you cut the heart out of the serpent. Cloakwood is too vast; even if I had the resources, my men are needed for the clean up efforts. Without a base-camp, the bandits will be desperate. The survivors will prey on anyone that comes their way; farmer, townsman, merchant… my hands are tied. If we don't act now, we'll lose whatever advantage we've gained. You've proved your worth; I'm not asking you to storm the mines, just locate them. Please."
Seldom did an officer plead. More seldom still did she bend her neck. Vai did both. Hands open, outstretched, she mutely appealed.
The sisters did not exchange glances; after what seemed like an eternity, they took the human's hands in their own. The leather gloves creaked under Sendai's gentle squeeze and Illasera's firm grip. Relief flooded Vai's face and her gratitude extended far beyond the promised reward.
"Any informants will be dealt with," Illasera vowed softly, looking over Vai's shoulder at the tavern's sparse crowd. Most were at the bar draining ales, or gossipingly loudly near the fire.
"They're mine," Vai affirmed, "all loyal to the Fist."
The elf wasn't convinced, but let it go.
"The point remains," Sendai prompted gently, "our faces are known. There will be magical detections."
"That's why I'm not asking you to infiltrate. Your kind…" Stifling her discomfort the officer admitted, "My best trackers found no trace of Tazok's movements. You're versed in the Art," not quite an accusation, "and you never saw him. Is he a myth?"
"No," Slowly, the drow shook her head, "The half ogre's real enough."
"Let's hope he knows more than his lackey. Oh, Tranzig was Mulahey's handler, not the other way around."
The expression Illasera wore clearly didn't care.
"I've put the smithy at your disposal. Taerom Fuiruim will take your order. Now the ore's clear, we expect a steady supply to be flowing in within the tenday."
Questioningly, Sendai watched her.
"We've arranged with Ghastkill a guard exchange at the border."
"On whose authority do you claim the smithy?" There was no barb in the drow's words, merely curiosity.
"My contingent was tasked with aiding and assisting Keldath Ormlyr; to that end, I both take his instruction and issue decrees. He has put the town's resources under my command. The dwarf will be paid; thanks to your deeds, he will recoup any losses incurred handsomely. My men need supplying and equipment, though sparse, is in high demand. Ormlyr understands this."
Sendai waited.
"Surprisingly sharp for a Lathanderian," Vai admitted, "I did not expect that. Though as mayor…" she spread her hands in the equivalent of a shrug.
"How are things? With the farms?"
"Poor." Another sigh as Vai scrubbed her hand through her hair in all too male gesture, "but recovering. As long as we can keep those damn bandits off them. With most of the Chill dead, and the Talons gone we might stand a chance, but we can't be everywhere. Even if we arm the farmers, and we have, there's still a lot to watch. Then there are xvarts and wolves to worry about… I've sent word to the Gate to start shipping food down; they can import it on ships; we can't."
"I'm aware we're landlocked." Sendai acknowledged, more musing than sharp, "What about Candlekeep?"
"Candlekeep? I suppose… yes, if we can hold the way. Without a port…"
"Then magic?" Illasera growled irritably and made a vague hand-wavy gesture, "no need for roads."
"Expensive." Her sister corrected gently.
"Less expensive than lives? You've mages; use them."
"One mage, a battlemage."
"This town has no mages of its own?"
"Not of that calibre."
"Then have one 'port in. Ship the iron through gates."
"I'll have to clear it with my superiors, but I'll ask." Vai sounded sceptical.
Illasera made a noise in her throat.
Vai held up her hands, "Beregost is a small town, barely worth the effort–"
"Try telling that to them." She pointed towards the door.
"It's not them I have to convince. The mages won't see it that way."
Illasera clamped shut her jaw.
Vai sighed, not liking it either.
Sendai rose, "I'll go and check on the others." She met Vai's eyes in mute understanding; gratefully, the officer forced a rare, tight smile.