Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Before the Dawn

Frosty air covered the city of Gray Gate. It spread across windows of dwellings, trying to cover the famous city in a deep chill. The hour before dawn was still as a grave in winter. Nothing moved, save for the leaves in a tiny cold breeze.

A black house stood, ominous and dark. Shadows slipped out the back. The shadows gave final nods to each other, knowing they wouldn’t see each other until the early start of the evening. After that, most of them went their separate ways as a woman with a lock of white hair looked down from a second story window with ever watchful eyes.

The shadows slipped through the early hour before dawn, hope filling their hearts.

Olivia and Nyana moved at a hurried pace. They moved quickly, reaching the open western gate. It was unguarded with a simply wood bar across it to keep some of the larger creatures from making their wain for the night. Olivia lifted the attacked back and pulled open the door. Nyana slipped out, followed by Olivia. The door closed the and wood bar slid back down into place.

A small relief washed over the pair of ravens. They made their way along the western dirt road with packs on their backs. When they were far enough away, they turned and made their way south, through the thick forest.

Olivia and Nyana glanced around with alert senses. The forest beyond the walls were often filled with all manner of creatures, from the benign to dangerous. Daggers were sheathed at their belts and a hand hovering close as a precaution. They cut through the brush, listening and watching for anything that may jump at them. The forest seemed to spread out forever, but the pair knew, with time, they would reach the southern road.

“Remember, when we get to the inn, speak as little as you can,” Olivia whispered.

Nyana nodded with worried eyes.

Olivia glanced down to the small kobold beside her. “You’re worried about Qin?”

“I’m worried for all of us, but yes, Qin especially. He has the most dangerous task and I wish I was with him to ensure he was okay,” Nyana said with a low, worried tone.

“He’ll be okay. He’s tough and proved it by defending you,” Olivia said, trying to sound upbeat.

“Against other rogues, yes, but I’m not sure about any monsters that may come for him.”

“We’ll keep him in our prayers as we get ready for our parts,” the raven said a she smiled at her fellow raven.

Nyana returned Oliva’s smile with her own as they moved deeper through the woods.

A carriage with its coachman stood by the side of a dirt road. The coachman looked around with tired eyes. The horses harnessed to the carriage stood at relaxed attention. The silence was deafening until some brush moved.

The coachman’s hand fell to his short sword, his eyes alert. His hand and shoulders relaxed when a cloaked woman and kobold stepped out onto the road.

“I was concerned you may be detained,” the man said with a bow.

“Walking through the forest before sun up is a little disorienting, but we’re here now,” Olivia said.

The coachman stood up. “Very good. Per the agreement with those who shall be not named, I will take you both into Old Town. If you step in, we can be on our way.”

Olivia and Nyana nodded. The coachman opened the door and Nyana was first to climb into the simple carriage. Olivia was next. When they were inside, the coachman closed the door and secured it. He climbed up to his seat, took the reins and gave them a gentle snap. The horses began to move, pulling the carriage with them.

Inside the carriage, Olivia and Nyana began to pull off their cloaks and leathers. Waiting in the carriage were two dresses, each one laying on a separate seat. The pair disrobed down to their small clothes before picking up the dresses and putting them on. The carriage rocked from side to side, making it a little difficult to get dressed. The pair smiled and laughed as they bounced around, trying to break the tension as the carriage rolled on toward the gray city in the distance.

***

Cedric strolled into the Palace Inn, deep in the heart of Old Town. The thin man was dressed in a fine outfit, complete with puffy shoulders, embroidered jacket, silk white shirt underneath, black leather leggings, and high, black boots. He moved with an exaggerated swagger as he approached the front desk. The clerk behind the counter stared him with disdain. Cedric stepped up to the counter and threw down a small sack of coins.

“Can I help you?” the clerk said with a tired look.

“Help me? I never asked for help in my life!” Cedric said like he was insulted. “I earned my fortune through hard work and a never backing down!”

The clerk gave a dour nod. “I mean, do you need help finding where you want to go? Directions perhaps?”

Cedric’s eyes took on a demonic gleam as he snarled a smirk. “Directions? No, for I found where I am to be for the next few days. If you may hand over the key, I’ll see to my room.”

The clerk opened the registry book him. “Name?”

“Davan Willows, heir to the Willows Estate,” Cedric said like the clerk should know who he was.

The clerk looked down the list. When he reached the bottom, he let out an annoyed sigh.

“There is nothing here for a Davan Willows. Nor have I ever heard of the Willow’s Estate? You do understand, this is the Palace Inn. We only take on the highest of clientele, and we do not have rooms for anyone off the street.”

Cedric let out an amused chuckle. “Clearly, you’re not in the know, now, are you? But there must have been an error. My assistant made the reservation. I was away for a time, but I did receive a letter saying the reservation was in place. Please, check again.”

The clerk closed the book and his annoyance grew. “Lord Willows, you arrive by yourself, with no entourage. You have no reservation. I know much about those who often come to our inn. And finally, this is Gray Gate City, where the thieves and charlatans often try their best to get over on all who reside here.

“I will have to ask you to leave before I call upon the Shield Guard.”

Cedric glanced to the side lobby next to the lobby foyer. Many comfortable chairs filled the lobby, with a few people in regal robes sitting in them as the early morning light touched the windows. Some of them looked up and over, wondering who was speaking so loudly.

Cedric leaned in a little closer and beckoned the clerk closer with a single finger. The clerk leaned forward with unamused eyes.

“There has been an error, on your part. If you don’t want me to tear the reputation of the inn to pieces in my circles, you would do well to hand me my key before things get dire,” Cedric said and pushed the small sack of coins toward the clerk.

The clerk looked down and let out another tired sigh. He took hold of the coin sack and slowly opened it.

“I have seen many things in my time here, but the audacity to try and buy me off with some rooks or knights is…” the clerk trailed off as a gold shine touched his eyes.

The clerk looked into the sack, seeing twelve gold queens before him.

“I’m here for very important business, which requires me to move about by my lonesome. If we can simply move on, I will remember your kindness.”

The clerk picked up the small sack and put it in his uniform coat. He then smiled brightly.

“Of course. I was mistaken, Lord Willows. If you follow me, I will show you to your room. We don’t have to put a name down as of yet, for your privacy of course.”

“Of course,” Cedric said as he stood up.

The raven glanced to the side to see several nosy people look over. One of the older men smiled at him and gave him a nod.

Cedric pulled out another two queens and put them on the counter. “Be sure to ask what everyone in the lobby drinks and put it on my tab.”

“As you will, Lord Willows,” the clerk said with a bow.

A murmur of conversations flowed up, people in the lobby hearing Lord Willow’s generosity and smiling at him.

“Only the best!” Cedric bellowed.

“This way,” the clerk said as he came around the counter.

Cedric followed the clerk as the murmur of those in the lobby continued on about the mysterious Lord Willows.

***

Shouts filled the air as people moved with greater urgency. A man with hard eyes talked loudly, giving directions to the staff as they picked up items and rushed them to waiting carts.

The private catering establishment was closed to the public, all workers inside spending their day getting everything ready for a special, secret event that very evening. Carts were being filled with everything from ingredients, utensils, clothes, and crystal bowels.

“Most of the items will be down there, but better to have extra to help solve any problems that may occur,” the manager barked as he looked at the staff with steely eyes.

The staff continued to rush like chickens with their heads cut off.

The manager didn’t lift a finger to help as he stared at everyone like they all did something wrong at all times. The secret event his catering business won a bid, but could not be told what, or where it was until the day of. It was secret to most, so the information would not leak.

The manager ground his teeth, knowing this event was being placed with many similar businesses like his. He didn’t know if his would have a fighting chance, until the news reached him in the morning. It was no mid-afternoon and final preparations were being made before everything would be transported to three carriages in the back alley of the shop.

The manager glanced around and let out a small growl, seeing that he was one short.

“Where’s Tim?” the manager shouted.

“I stopped by his place. He’s very sick and said he couldn’t come,” one of the staff said with a timid edge.

“Then he loses work for the next two weeks!” the manager barked. “We’ll have to double up on the floor. I will not have our reputation stained because one of our own was took weak to step up!”

A knock at the front door caused the manager to turn around. A man was standing on the other side of the glass door, looking directly at him and smiling.

“Get the rest in place!” the manager shouted as he walked to the glass door.

“We’re closed!” he shouted.

The man on the other side shook his head and pointed at his own ear.

The manager let out a frustrated hiss before unlocking the door and opening it just a crack.

“We’re closed,” he said with an angry tone.

“I know,” Symon said as he stood in a sever clothes and carrying a small pack. “I’m a friend of Tim’s. He told me you would be one short and asked if I could take over his shift.”

The manager looked Symon with suspicious eyes. “Tim has no friends.”

“He doesn’t like to talk about his private life,” Symon said simply.

The manager kept his haughty gaze. “Thank you, but we will manage. Tell your friend Tim, he cannot return for two weeks for deserting us in our time of need.”

Symon bowed his head. “Lord, please forgive me, but I can help in Tim’s place. He told me how upstanding the work is, and he knew you would be cross. I have worked with many other shops, such as yours. I know the work.”

“Then, why are you here?” the manager seethed. “Go work for them.”

Symon gave his best smile. “I would, my lord, but it seems there was some event everyone was discussing, and the one I worked for, Angel Ambrosia, had to let many of us go for a few days since they didn’t win the bid for the event. I do like to work, and I have the credentials to prove it.”

The manager’s demeanor perked up a little. “Did you say Angel Ambrosia? They have taken a few of my people in the past, trying to say they are nicer and pay more than anyone else in Gray Gate! I would call them liars!”

“All’s fair in in love and business,” Symon grinned.

“Agreed,” the manager said as he eyed Symon up and down. “Let’s see your credentials.”

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Symon reached into his pack and pulled out a weathered scroll. He handed it over to the manager.

The manager took it and unfurled it. His eyes scanned the document and they slowly widened a hair.

“I see you’re a gold level servant with five years’ experience. These references are to many of Gray Gate’s upper class,” the manager said with an edge of astonishment.

“I like to work,” Symon said innocently.

The manager rolled up the scroll and handed it back. “You do understand that this is a secret affair.”

Symon took the scroll back. “I do, my lord. You seem like a man who gets results, as shown by winning the bid. I have been looking to broaden my horizons, as it were. If you give me the work, I may be persuaded to stay.”

The manager smiled, but shook his head. “Thank you, but I have everyone I need for now. Come back on the morrow, and we can discuss a future with my shop.”

The man was about to close the door when Symon stuck his foot in, stopping it. “Please, my lord. If you would give me a chance, I could prove how valuable I am to you. It has been a nightmare, working for Angel Ambrosia. They pretend everything is all smiles on the surface, but behind the scenes, they abuse much of the staff and have threatened us with taking a finger if a single dish is broken.”

The manager’s eyes lit up. “Such horrid conditions! I always knew they were not as pure as everyone made them out to be.”

“If I had my way, I would tell everyone their secrets so they would close forever,” Symon lied with a silver tongue.

The manager nodded. “I see,” he said while knowing if the rival shop would fall, he could swoop in and take their business.

The manager stepped back and opened the door wide. “Please come in. I am in need of another server for this evening. If you do well, I can see a bright future for you with my shop.”

Symon stepped in with a smile. “You won’t be disappointed.”

“For your sake, I hope not,” the manager said with a small smile. “Help the rest of the staff with loading the carts and crates. We have until early afternoon before we must all move with a secret escort.”

“Of course, my lord,” Symon bowed before standing up and rushing to the aid of others.

The manager eyed Symon for a long moment before nodding to himself.

“Tonight, will be a night to remember,” the manager said a half smile before barking orders to everyone within earshot.

***

A cloaked kobold stood over a metal grate. Serpent eyes stared down at the flimsy grate, a foul stench rising up to his sensitive nose. He placed a scaled hand on the pommel of his new dagger as his heart beat with thick dread.

“They are depending on you,” Qin whispered to himself, trying to keep his courage steady.

The alley was devoid of life, save for the occasional rat skittering along the damp edges. The sun rose higher in the sky, slowly warming the city, but qin still felt the chill of the shadows and the damp, smelly alley.

Qin closed his eyes and calmed his pulse. When he opened his eyes again, he reached down and took hold of the grate. Despite his size and limited strength, the grate came off surprisingly easy. He shifted it to the side, a thought lingering that others may have used this sewer entrance for other means, or escape. He quickly pushed it from his mind as he reached behind to feel the small pack to his back.

Pulling his hand back, her brushed against the supple, flexible leather armor he wore. He shifted on his feet, covered in specially made leather boots. After everything was said and done, he knew he would have to dispose of everything he was wearing. Going into the sewers was disgusting business, but if he didn’t go as promised, his friends and cousin would be in grave danger.

The kobold glanced over his shoulder to see no one nearby. He then climbed down into the square hole. When he was partway down, he grabbed the grate and pulled it over his head, securing it back into place.

The stench was unforgiving as he climbed the metal rungs down. When he touched the stone floor, he turned to see a river of putrid water flowing past him. Natural night vision helped in the dark, but only because of the light form the grate above him. His hand moved to his belt and pulled out a small lantern. He set it down and lifted the glass off of it. He then took out flint and a wrapped stick. He struck his claws against the flint, sparks flying onto the treated stick. A spark took and a flame appeared. He put the lit end into the small, oil lantern and the wick glowed. Dropping the lighting stick on the stone floor beside his boot, he put the glass back over the lantern, and clamped it on. Taking hold, he lifted it up and looked around.

The sewer was ominous and dark. The lapping of foul water echoed along the tunnel.

Qin didn’t waste any more time and started his journey into the dark.

Memories played on in his mind, Serafina helping him to memorize the pattern and path he needed to take to get to the secret location. The elder raven was meticulous, to a degree, so was Qin. The kobold enjoyed order. It gave him purpose in a chaotic world.

The near silence was off putting. Qin tried to convince himself that it should make it easier to hear a creature or monster sneak up on him. Another thought stabbed into his mind, wondering if any creature down here would have adapted to that very silence, ready to pounce and take him away, never to be seen again.

The thought was enough to send a chill down his spine. His free hand reached for his sheathed dagger and drew it. Mana tingled against his hand, the enchanted dagger a gift from Serafina. It would give him an edge in a fight against the monsters in the dark, but he didn’t activate it. It would be his edge, if the time came.

The kobold moved on, making his way along the tunnel edge. He reached an intersection and turned left. He then walked on, till he reached another one and turned right. Slowly, he grew used to the smell, but only a little.

“Star Goddess, see me through this horror,” the kobold whispered to himself.

After a few twists and turns, the kobold felt lost. It was easy to lose your sense of direction, but he knew the pattern he was taught was sound, and he trusted Serafina with his life.

The kobold smiled to himself. The thought lingered, knowing he and Nyana had lost everything, and now, they found a new life. It wasn’t what he expected, but he was glad it wasn’t alternative. The umbra beast killed their aunt and destroyed her home. It was unnerving to join a new family, but Nyana was always blessed with luck. She seemed to know instantly if a soul was good or evil. It was that trust that aided his agreement for them to join the Raven Guild and their new family.

The inner thoughts continued to churn, an image of Symon filling his mind. The young man was cut from a different cloth. He had an amazing power to change his shape. It helped the kobold to feel less alien. Kobolds had been persecuted for many thousands of years. Descended from dragons, and their small stature, created a mistrust that never truly went away.

The glow of the lantern light led the way. Qin woke from his thoughts and stayed to task. In several hours, his fellow ravens would be in the auction house, and they needed what he was carrying.

The kobold held up the lantern a little higher, seeing the edge of a tunnel that didn’t have a river of muck flowing into it.

Relief touched Qin’s eyes and he rushed along. The tunnel would led directly to the catacombs and closer to his objective.

Little did the kobold know, he was being followed. A smooth head surfaced from the river of muck and round, white eyes stared silently. It followed the heat source, even from under the foul water. Webbed hands and feet propelled it. Clawed finger tips helped grab onto stone as it stayed about ten feet from the kobold.

The thing in the water scrapped it’s claws against the stone underwater. The scratches travelled the murky water, alerting others.

Qin rushed ahead, trying to be as quiet as possible. When he was within eight feet of the side tunnel, something splashed behind him.

The kobold froze with wide eyes. He then quickly turned around to a slime covered thing as it crawled out from the water. Qin was stunned for a moment, the thing moving on thin arms and legs. Its body was emaciated, skin tight over bones. It was slightly larger than the kobold himself. A smooth, oval head turned with wide, white eyes. Long, webbed fingers flexed as webbed feet mad a slop-ish sound. Qin took a step back, dagger in one hand and lantern in the other. The creature’s mouth was filled with crooked, sharp teeth and it yawned with a sickening hiss.

The creature was from his very nightmares as a child. His parents often told him of muck goblins that snuck into homes to steal young ones who didn’t behave. It wasn’t a fantastical tale to teach a lesson. No, they were real and a pest to most places with large populations. They fed on filth and the dead, but they also had a taste for living flesh.

“Stay back,” Qin said as he held up his dagger.

The muck goblin didn’t understand, or care. It stepped closer and closer, those blank white eyes staring with a deep hunger.

Qin stepped backwards, never showing his back to the monster. When his boot knocked a pebble into the water, there was watery shift. Qin glanced to the side and his heart nearly froze in his chest. Four more smooth, black heads with white eyes stared up from the water.

Fear shifted into primal courage. Qin gripped the dagger and activated its enchantment. The blade glowed red hot, adding to the light in the dark tunnel.

“I will not be your meal this day,” the kobold said with an angry growl.

The muck goblin that was already on the path, let out a wet growl of its own, before it screeched and charged. At the same time, the four in the water launched up from the murky water, webbed hands reaching out to grab their meal.

Qin’s senses flashed with purpose. The kobold let out a defiant shout, his dagger slicing up and separating a webbed hand from its wrist. The muck goblin screeched as midnight black blood seeped from a cauterized wrist.

Qin threw his back to the wall and swung his glowing dagger wide. The blade sliced through extended hands cutting through or loping them off in a single strike! Screeches of pain echoed off the walls. Black bodies continued to rush him as he slashed and slashed again. Qin swung the lantern, crashing it into a black head. Oil splashed and caught on fire. Two muck goblins screeched violently as flames engulfed their bodies. Qin swung blindly at burning and black bodies. Smoke rose up, clouding everything. One goblin fell into the sewer water, dead. Another burning leapt back into the water, extinguishing the flames, but the damage was too much and it floated back up with its face down in the brackish water.

The kobold coughed as the only source of light left was from his enchanted dagger. It streaked in the smoke and dark as the remaining muck goblins tried at grab at him. Claws slashed down at Qin’s chest. They bit through the tough leather and scrapped against his scaly skin underneath. Qin grunted as he drove the glowing red blade into a goblin’s gut, burying it to the hilt. Qin turned the blade, the monster convulsing from the burning torment. It pulled itself away and jumped back into the water, dying and floating to the top.

Qin drew his blade back, hoping the battle was finished. When a webbed hand with claws struck from the smoky dark. The kobold stepped to the side, but not before claws slashed at his neck and knocked away small scales. He stumbled as the black, thin goblin emerged from the smoke. Its white eyes stared at him as it opened its jagged mouth. Qin’s arm went up and the goblin bit into his forearm.

Qin let out a fearful shout before driving his enchanted blade into the monster’s gut in quick succession. The goblin locked its jaw on the kobold’s arm as the burning blade stabbed into it. The light in its eyes died, but its mouth still had a firm hold. The body slumped and Qin was nearly pulled with the dead body into the water. In a desperate attempt to not be pulled with it, Qin put the burning dagger to the goblin’s neck. With a shout, he sliced the blade across, decapitating the goblin’s head from its body. The black thin body fell into the murky water as the head was still locked on Qin’s arm.

With a disgusted hiss, Qin stabbed the dagger into the monster’s jaw and twisted the blade. The bones and muscles were shredded and the jaw unlocked. Qin whipped his arm out, what was left of the head falling into the murky water and drifted away.

Qin threw his back to the wall as he huffed and heaved. He looked down at his arm, blood dripping from his wounds. Wetness touched his neck and chest as well.

Without a second thought, the kobold pressed the side of the burning dagger against his forearm wounds. He let out a strangled whimper as he pulled it away. He then pressed it to the side of his neck, a sizzling filling the air.

The kobold huffed in pain. He looked down at his chest, knowing he would have to remove his armor to get the wound on his chest. There was a small tingling, but the wound on his chest was not as severe at his arm and neck. He knew he would have to manage for a while.

The kobold regained his courage and rushed to the side tunnel with only the glow of his dagger lighting the way.

More twist and turns greeted the kobold. He moved with purpose, knowing time was of the essence. Considering where he was and what attacked him, it was only a matter of time before his remaining wound would get infected, if it hadn’t already. His small body barreled through catacomb tunnels. He passed stone shelves with skulls stacked on them. He passed walls with skeletons of various sized embedded into the very walls.

Serafina’s directions chanted in his mind as he rushed along. Qin held onto hope, thinking of his cousin and his new friends.

The kobold reached the tunnel he needed to find. Eyes searched the walls as he walked. A thin river of water rushed along a small trench as he stared at the nearby walls with unblinking eyes.

“Where is it? Where is it?” he said to himself as he frantically searched.

When his gaze caught the hint of a black symbol. He froze. Bringing the burning dagger closer to the wall, he spotted the odd symbol with an arrow pointing up. Qin looked up to see a wide, round hole.

Qin put his burning dagger to the hole and looked in. It was dark, but he could see the edge of grate and a shallow ledge surrounding it.

The kobold thought to leave the box and make a hasty retreat, but something nagged at the back of his mind. He lifted his other hand and touched the grate. It held fast, as it was bolted into place.

“Damnation,” the kobold hissed, knowing that Symon was going to have a hard time opening it when the kitchen staff were in the chamber.

Qin put the glowing dagger by the grate and looked along the edges. He found the first bolt, followed by the second. It appeared there were only two bolts holding into place. Qin glanced to the burning dagger before pressing the tip to a metal bolt. The heat caused the bolt to glow, but not break. Hissing in frustration, he leveraged the burning dagger to the very edge between the stone edge and the metal edge. With a push, the metal groaned as it burned.

Qin was silent as he pushed with all his might. The metal groaned a little more, before a crack formed along the stone edge. With another push, the bolt cracked from the stone.

Qin pulled back the dagger and touched the grate. It flexed and one side pushed up. He was about to work on the other bolt, when weakness flowed into his muscles. Ignoring it, he pressed the burning dagger to the other edge did the same, pushing on the leverage. The metal groans, but the stone didn’t crack. After a few more attempts, the bolt stood fast.

Qin slumped to the floor as the catacomb began to spin. The infection was spreading and if he stayed any longer, he might never make it out.

“I hope I did enough, my friend,” Qin said as he took off the pack and opened the flap.

The kobold pulled out a wooden box. He stood up and lifted it up into the hole. He stuck it on the thin stone ledge. He tested it, making sure it was secure enough to not fall. When he pulled his hand away and the box stayed, he let out a sigh of relief.

The kobold pulled down his hand. He put the pack back on his back and held the burning dagger for light.

“I’ll be there when this is all over,” Qin whispered as a dizziness caused the tunnel to spin.

The kobold shuffled off further down a dark tunnel. Empty skulls stared with unblinking eyes as the small kobold moved further away, taking the precious light with him.

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