A Darkness at Sethanon (Riftware Sage Book 3)

The city was separated from the walls by a bailey a hundred yards wide. Then began a tightly packed array of buildings, shot through with narrow streets. There was nothing like the broad boulevards of Krondor in sight, and no signs upon any building betraying its purpose. They followed their escort and noticed that few people loitered about the doorways. If there were businesses here, they were not apparent to Arutha’s companions.

 

Everywhere they looked, the people walked in armour and wore weapons. Only once did they see an exception to the armour, a woman obviously in the late stages of pregnancy, yet her belt sash held a dagger. Even children who looked above the age of seven or eight were under arms.

 

The streets twisted and turned, intercepting others at random intervals. “This city seems without plan,” said Locklear.

 

Arutha shook his head. “It is a city with great plan, a clear purpose. Straight streets benefit merchants and are easy to build, if the terrain is flat or easily worked. You see twisting streets only where it is too difficult to cut straight ones, such as in Rillanon, which is situated upon rocky hills, or near the palace in Krondor. This city is built upon a plateau, which means these meandering streets are intentional. Martin, what do you think?”

 

“I think that should the walls be breached, you could place an ambush every fifty feet from here to the other end of the city.” He pointed upward. “Notice every building is of equal height. I warrant the roofs are flat and accessible from within. A perfect place for archers. Look at the lower floor.”

 

Jimmy and Locklear looked and saw what the Duke of Crydee meant. Each building had only a single door on the ground floor, heavy wood with iron bands, and there were no windows. Martin said, “This is a city designed for defence.”

 

Dwyne turned and said, “You are perceptive.” He then returned his attention to their passage through the city. Citizens watched for a moment while the strangers rode by, then went back to their business.

 

They emerged from the press of buildings into a market. Everywhere they looked, booths were placed and people moved about them, buying and selling. Arutha said, “Look,” as he pointed toward a citadel. It seemed to grow from the very face of a gigantic cliff, against which the city was nestled. It rose up a full thirty stories high. Another wall, thirty feet in height, circled the citadel, and around the wall another moat. Jimmy looked and said, “They must expect some bad company.”

 

“Their neighbours tend to be an irksome lot,” commented Roald.

 

At that a few of the guards who understood the Kingdom language laughed openly, nodding agreement. Arutha said, “If the booths come down, we ride across another bailey, giving those on the walls an open field of fire. Taking this city would cost a fortune in lives.”

 

Dwyne said, “As it was meant to.”

 

They entered the citadel and were ordered to dismount, and their horses were led away. They followed Dwyne down to a dungeon, though it seemed clean and fairly spacious. They were shown to a large common cell, illuminated by a brass lantern. Dwyne motioned they should enter. He said, “You shall wait here. If you hear an alarm, come to the common court above and you will be told what to do. Otherwise, wait here until the Protector sends for you. I will have food sent down.” With that he left.

 

Jimmy looked about and said, “They don’t lock the door or take our weapons?”

 

Baru sat down. “Why bother?”

 

Laurie heaved himself across an old blanket placed upon straw. “We certainly can’t go anywhere. We can’t pretend to be native to this city, and we couldn’t hide. And I’m not about to fight my way out of here.”

 

Jimmy sat down next to Laurie. “You’re right. So what do we do now?”

 

Arutha removed his sword. “We wait.”

 

 

 

 

 

For hours they waited. Food was brought and they ate. When the meal was finished, Dwyne returned. “The Protector approaches. I would know your names and your purpose.”

 

All eyes turned to Arutha, who said, “I think we gain nothing by hiding the truth, and may gain something if we are forthright.” He said to Dwyne, “I am Arutha, Prince of Krondor.”

 

Dwyne said, “That is a title?”

 

“Yes,” Arutha said.

 

“We remember little of the Kingdom, we of Armengar, nor do we have such titles. It is important?”

 

Roald nearly burst. “Damn it, man, he’s brother to the King, as is Duke Martin here. He’s the second most powerful lord in the Kingdom.”

 

Dwyne seemed unimpressed. He was given the others’ names, then he asked, “Your purpose?”

 

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