My usual Q & A. You may skip it if you like. But I highly recommend that you at least read the first cluster of questions/answers. There is some information there that will help you understand something that happens later.
Does anyone know Vistra/Lauryn's true past? Does Nathan know? Did Vistra get over the Nathan thing (and that's why she dislikes Corus, right?) Were she, Axe and Nathan some kind of a group, albeit not as dangerous? Why did Vistra follow Nathan? To taunt him? He already knew about what she was doing, didn't he?
No one knows about Vistra's past, not Axe, not Danel, not Nathan. Axe and Danel know better than to ask. And Nathan met her after she had decided to change her name, to wipe the slate 'clean'. She did not tell him about what happened, even though he knows that she dislikes nobles. And is she over Nathan's dumping her? Well…Vistra likes to hold on to her grudges. I mean, just look at the whole noble thing. And yes, that is why Vistra doesn't want to go to Corus. But once there, she wasn't about hide from Nathan. So she stalked him in the marketplace. And while she, Nathan, and Axe were together, they were a 'group' but not like Nobles' Bane is a 'group'. They just worked together to thieve and survive. Like a small band of thieves. They didn't have the mission that Nobles' Bane does. And Nathan knew that Axe and Vistra were members of the infamous 'Nobles' Bane' because he heard rumors about the costumes that they wear. It was the same costume that he had worn when he used to be a thief and worked with Vistra and Axe.
Is Nathan Jonathan's ancestor? Or maybe he is Vistra's brother?
Jonathan's ancestor? That's a very good question. Of course, that leads to some others. Like, if he was: how did his line come into power so that his future relatives could be kings? And how did the Conte's get the coloring they're so famous for (jet black hair and bright blue eyes, if I remember correctly). Nathan has black hair, yes, but he has very light blue eyes. (think: the blue of the ocean compared to the sky on a clear day) Perhaps from his wife then? Clarine? Does she have blue eyes that are dark enough? (You will be meeting Clarine in Chapter 9) Or perhaps he's Vistra's brother? But didn't her brother have the same blonde hair that she had with blue eyes? And, although they are close in age, Nathan is a couple years older, not younger. So no.
The meaning of Vistra's name is not important right? So what is so special about her name? (I must know!)
*evil laugh* this is when I come in and say: you will find out later.
How the hell do you update so quickly? What planet are you on?
That information is confidential. I am not at liberty to disclose it… actually, before I even started posting this story, I wrote a lot of it. I wrote several chapters beforehand, to get a head start. So I'm just posting chapters that I've already written ages ago.
Can I have Danel? Or Kenric? Where do you get these names from? And don't kill Kenric!
I do not know if either Danel or Kenric will be available for taking by the end of this fic. And Danel's name was taken from a name book, while Kenric's name was taken from my head. And about the not killing Kenric? Sorry to say this, but I cannot promise his safety. But I can promise one thing. Vistra will not kill Kenric.
Has Noble's Bane been up for only four years, which means that Nathan was never part of it, and just Vistra's thief-partner (and crush?)? How did Vistra meet Axe and Danel? Isn't Vistra's hatred for nobles getting kind of out of control? She doesn't go after just nobles with slaves, but all nobles, no matter their rank?
Do I sense another Kenric sympathizer? Or just a sympathizer of his situation? Well, there is more to Kenric than what meets the eye. His situation was not as it seemed. I once again will say that Vistra will not cause Kenric's death. But anyway, if this was a worry for other innocent nobles in general, I could say that I agree that Vistra is out of control. But not to worry. Changes are a'comin…changes are a'comin. And Nathan was never part of Nobles' Bane. And how did she meet Axe and Danel? I will hopefully asnwer that in the fic, but if I don't, I will tell you by the end.
Author's Note: We're going back to Kalasin at the beginning, then back to Vistra, and then finishing off with a new character. You are going to adore him to little itty bitty pieces.
7. And Then Some Anger
Kalasin
Knock, knock!
Kalasin jumped and glanced towards her cabin door. "Yes?"
"It's Daine."
Kalasin got off the bed, shoving Nobles' Bane under her pillow as she did so. Then she unlocked and opened the door.
Daine, a squeaking Kitten at her side, smiled at her. "It's time for dinner. Aren't you hungry?"
"Not really," Kalasin said.
Daine peered into her face. "Seasick?"
"No, just tired."
Kalasin moved out of the way as Kitten squeezed into her room through the doorway.
"Are you sure?" Daine asked. "It's still a long way to Carthak."
Kalasin nodded. "If I get hungry, I'll come out later."
Daine was silent for a moment. Then, "You're not too happy with your betrothal to Kaddar, are you?"
Kalasin blinked. "Well, I can't honestly say I'm excited."
"Kaddar is very nice once you get to know--"
"It's not only Kaddar I'm worried about. It's the country. Carthak," Kalasin said. "It's just so… different from Tortall."
"Focus on things one at a time. Don't overwhelm yourself. Perhaps, if you are willing to give Kaddar a chance, you will find him to your liking. And from there, perhaps you'll find yourself liking Carthak as well."
A sudden squawk came from within the room.
Kalasin turned in time to see her pillow fly across the cabin. Kitten sat on the bed, staring intently at Kalasin's book.
Daine studied her dragon for a moment, and then turned to Kalasin, an eyebrow raised. "Are you aware that there is a magicked book hiding under your pillow?"
"Yes." Kalasin didn't know why, but she felt slightly embarrassed. "I put it there."
"Kitten," Daine called to her dragon.
Kitten gave the book one last poke before hopping off the bed. She chirped at Daine cheerfully.
"Wait," Kalasin called out to Daine as she turned away. "What color does my book seem to you?"
Daine glanced at the book that lay on her bed. "Brown. It's brown."
Kalasin nodded. "All right. Thanks."
Daine gave her one last contemplative look before turning away.
After her door was locked, Kalasin once again flopped down on her bed, book in front of her.
Daine also saw the magicked book as brown. But why?
Shaking her head, she opened the book to chapter five. She had questions she wanted answered. What had happened to Lauryn? Who exactly was Vistra? And how could she seem so sympathetic when rescuing commoners and slaves, but so cold and bitter when facing Nathan? And how well had Nathan and Vistra known each other?
So many unanswered questions…
Kalasin shook her head and started to read.
~*~*~
Nobles' Bane: Chapter 5
Danel heard her steps through the hallway and opened the door before she could touch the doorknob. He gave her a mocking bow and motioned her into his room.
"Where were you, Vistra?" he asked the moment the door was closed behind her.
"Out."
"No, really?" Danel said sarcastically.
Vistra raised an eyebrow and glanced at Axe, who was reclining in a chair, his feet up on a small table under the window of his and Danel's room in the inn.
Axe shrugged. "He's in a bad mood."
"Why?"
"Well, there are several theories. The one I'm rooting for is the fact that you've been ignoring him even though he's been calling for you for the last hour."
Vistra shrugged. "I was busy, Danel."
"So busy that you couldn't even respond once to my calls?" he asked, exasperated.
Vistra shrugged again. "Sure." She settled down onto his bed; it squeaked under her weight.
"So," Axe said after a long moment of silence. "How was he?"
Vistra closed her eyes and leaned back, resting her head on a pillow. "He's doing absolutely fine."
Without us.
She didn't need to say her last two words; Axe heard them within her annoyed tone.
Danel's eyes narrowed; he glared at the other two people in the room.
"Married yet?" Axe asked casually.
"Yes. But only recently, not more than a couple months ago," Vistra said in response.
This surprised Axe. "Oh? Why?"
"What, in the name of Mithros, are you two talking about?" Danel finally exploded.
"He wanted to establish a stable business before he asked for her to marry him."
"Oh." Axe nodded. "I see."
A moon disc flew through the air and landed dangerously close to Axe's feet on the table.
Vistra stood up. She stepped behind the angry Danel and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Calm down, Danel. We were just teasing you," she said, resting her forehead on his shoulder.
"Well, are you going to explain what you and Axe were talking about?" Danel asked tersely.
"We were just discussing an old… friend we used to know. Before we became Nobles' Bane. Before we met you."
"During the time when you were still just thieves?" The tension started to flow out of Danel's back.
"Yes. We were very close until he decided to leave us because he fell in love with a lady."
"A lady?" The same disgust that always entered Vistra's voice when she used the word 'lady' or 'lord' was also apparent in Danel's tone.
Vistra smiled. "Yes, a lady."
Danel shook his head. "He must be an idiot to leave you for a lady." Danel started to turn within her hug, trying to wrap his own arms around her.
She immediately stepped away, knowing that Danel would also want to instigate other things.
"So, what have we planned to do today?"
Danel shrugged, disappointed. "You know, the usual." He started to count off on his fingers. "Thieving, thieving, and, lastly, thieving."
"I've heard that there's to be a hanging of two servants in a village north of here tomorrow," Axe said. "If we leave before nightfall, we can easily arrive before dawn."
Danel nodded. "Sounds like a plan to me."
Vistra also nodded, relieved. "Sounds good."
Something about this city gave her the shivers. And Nathan, curse him, was right. Corus was dangerous.
It would be best if they left. And even better if they left in a hurry.
~*~*~
General Aleyn of Ra'kaul
"Did you hear what that insolent pup just said to me?"
General Aleyn grabbed the nearest soldier by the neck and shook him for emphasis.
"Yes, sir," the soldier squeaked. "He said that he didn't care if you threw him into jail, for he knew that Nobles' Bane would come and rescue him, General."
General Aleyn let out a snarl and threw the soldier roughly against the wall. "Never, ever speak those words aloud in my presence again, soldier."
"What words, General?" a foolish soldier questioned. The knight who stood beside General Aleyn snorted, knowing what would come next.
General Aleyn rewarded the soldier who asked the question by punching him hard in the face. He glared at the other soldiers who cringed against the wall. "You know which words. Speak those words in my presence, and I will gladly have you punished."
"Yes, sir," they said. They saluted as one and started to file out, led by the knight.
General Aleyn turned and stalked out of the dungeon, heading towards his room.
Nobles' Bane…
His fist snapped out; a nearby vase shattered to the ground. A servant girl who was just down the hallway flinched and rushed out of view.
Good girl. She knew better than to annoy him, unlike those idiot soldiers under his command. Those idiot soldiers and knights who couldn't even capture a simple vigilante group consisting of three common-born men! Maybe he should hire servant girls to capture the vigilante group…
He let out a sudden laugh. Hire little girls to do men's work? He snorted. Females were only good for two things. For pleasure in bed and for producing heirs.
Not that the one his wife had produced for him before he had gotten rid of her was any use to him. Tonerian, that idiot, was absolutely useless. Useless.
Nobles' Bane…
He slammed his door open and angrily marched into his room, throwing off his shirt onto a nearby table.
He would have to talk to Duane in the morning.
Duane. That stupid turd. Weak and sniveling, a shame to men.
But necessary to Aleyn. For, because he was such a fool, Duane was easy for Aleyn to manipulate.
Duane and his mad trollop of a wife.
He would talk to Duane in the morning to settle things about Nobles' Bane.
Because he had had enough. A jail just a couple days ride away had been emptied, completely without the resident lord's knowing. And just a few days before that, a lord reported to have been robbed of a good fortune while staying at a local inn. And just before that, old Lord Conest, faithful Conest, had been murdered in the open town square, with slaves and servants as witnesses, as the damned Nobles' Bane spirited another lowlife slave away. And just before that, they had…
Oh, the list of offenses was miles long. He couldn't possibly think of them all without becoming irrational.
How many more jails would they raid? How many more lords would they steal from? How many more would they kill?
No more, if he had anything to say about.
He would draw up a plan, lure them into Corus. And then kill them, again and again and again.
Of course, such things weren't possible. But he could imagine them. And he could still torment and torture them once they were in his control.
And he was going to enjoy every moment of it. Oh, how he was going to relish every scream and cry.