The guard motioned and the first man in line moved out of the hall, into the cold morning light. As Dash came out into the light, he blinked, and was startled to discover the almost ever-present cloud cover had moved inland. The day promised to be warm, which was a mixed blessing. During the day he barely felt the cold, given the amount of work he was required to do, but at least the next night might be more forgiving.
He followed along and waited until the boy who took care of food and water appeared, and as anxious as his companions, he grabbed the single slab of bread offered. It was a coarse and unappetizing meal; the grain was so illground that men had been known to break teeth on husks or small pieces of gravel. The water ration had been cut with a small amount of wine. Some men had come down with the belly flux a day or two before Dashs capture, and the invaders were certain a little wine kept it from spreading.
All too quickly the morning meal was over, and they were off to work. Dash joined four other men attempting to move a large wall stone that had fallen during the battle of Krondor. They were to get it over to a makeshift crane, built by an invading engineer more adept at engines of war than civil engineering. Yet Dash had seen the wooden contraption lift larger stones several times in the last two days and he was certain that it would continue to serve for a while.
Why was there so much urgency in the rebuilding of Krondor? For Duko to deny the city to Patrick made sense. For Duko to attempt to hold it for any length of time made little sense. Dash smelled a mystery, and as much as he wanted to escape, he also wanted to discover what exactly was taking place around here before doing so.
A man grunted and the stone was lifted; quickly a net was pulled under. Dash used the moment gained while the other men tied off the net to the crane to turn to Gustaf and ask, You anxious to stick around?
The soldier, a quiet man of middle build, showed the slight smile which was his most dramatic expression, and said, Of course. Theres such an opportunity for advancement.
Dash said, Yes. Another dozen deaths and youll be first in line for bread and water in the morning.
What do you have in mind? whispered Gustaf.
Noticing they were being watched by Talwin, Dash said, Ill tell you later.
Gustaf nodded and made no comment as the crew moved over to repeat their labors with another large stone.
Chapter Four Underground
DASH FLINCHED.
The wind had turned cold again after the previous days springlike warmth and he was still sporting many bruises, which seemed to sting more when the cold hit them. Still, the exercise seemed to be keeping him from getting stiff. He hadnt had the opportunity to talk to Gustaf again since he had mentioned the possibility of escape. Talwin had taken to staying close by, a turn of events which worried Dash. He could only guess at the mans motives; either he was also looking for escape and judged Dash and Gustaf likely allies in such a break, or he was an informer. Dash decided he could spend another day or two trying to discover which.
The guards shouted for the midday break, and the boys with the bread and watered wine hurried through the ranks, distributing their welcome fare. Dash sat down right where he worked, on the next large rock to be returned to the wall, while Gustaf sat with his back to the wall they were repairing. Dash took a bite and said, Either Im getting used to this or theyve found a better baker.
Gustaf said, Youre getting used to it. Remember the old saying, Hunger is the best sauce.
Dash studied the warrior from the Vale of Dreams. At first it had seemed his entire conversational repertoire consisted of head nods, grunts, and the occasional yes or no. But since last night he had opened up a little to Dash.
Howd you get caught here?
I wasnt, said Gustaf, finishing his meager meal. He sipped his watery wine and said, I was a guard on a caravan He glanced around. Its a long story. The short of it is we were intercepted and captured by Dukos men and those of us who lived through the fight ended up here.
How long has it been?
Too damn long. He frowned. Must be a couple of months now. The days blur. It was snowing when I got here.
Dash nodded. Caravan?
Gustaf shrugged. My employer wasnt the only merchant to think he could steal a profit by being the first one bringing goods into the city. From what Ive seen around here, this general isnt interested in trading much. He seems willing to let folks fend for themselves on the other side of the wall, but in here its a military camp.
The order to resume work was passed down the line and Dash said, I get that impression.
Gustaf smiled. Youre not as dumb as you look.
Back to work! shouted a guard, and the four men nearest Dash and Gustaf began moving the rock back into place in the wall.
Jimmy motioned with a slight tilt of his head. Malar nodded that he understood and signaled for the boy to come over. The urchin was filthy, covered from head to toe in soot and grime. He smelled as if he had been swimming in a cesspool, and Jimmy thought him a likely source of information.
Malar spoke with the boy for a few minutes, then gave him a coin, telling him to run off. He returned to where Jimmy leaned against the wall in a pose of indifference and said, Young sir, the boy was, indeed, working in the sewers. They pay him to crawl into the smaller culverts and pipes, ridding them of burned wood, mud, and the like.
Jimmy shook his head slightly in irritation. Damn. What are they doing down there?
In a low voice, Malar said, Apparently repairing the sewer, much as they seem to be repairing everything aboveground on the other side of the wall from all reports.
But why? asked Jimmy rhetorically. The sewers are sufficient for his army. With a little work, he can keep them flowing enough so his men dont fall ill. Jimmy scratched an imaginary itch on the side of his face. But from what weve heard, hes trying to put them back to the state they were in before He had been about to say before Grandfather blew up the city, but changed it to the city was taken.
Perhaps this General Duko likes things orderly.
Jimmy shook his head in baffled silence. He had read every report that had reached Darkmoor on the enemy before and after the Battle of Nightmare Ridge.
Duko was probably their best field general, and third in importance after Fadawah and Nordan. Jimmy couldnt begin to guess what he was up to. Had he been fortifying the city for an attack from the east or south, that might have made some sense, though the defenses would still be less than ideal when Patricks army arrived.
Had he continued to rip Krondor apart, adding to the destruction to deny it to the Kingdom would have made sense. But repairing the damage done, as if he was going to occupy the city for a long time, that made no sense.
Unless said Jimmy softy.
Young sir? asked Malar.
Never mind. He looked around. Its going to be dark in the next hour. Come with me.
He led Malar through the busy streets in the tent city and toward an alley, really just a passage between freestanding walls, all that was left of two businesses. He ducked into the alley without waiting to see if he was being watched, and heard Malar follow.
It would be easy to become lost in Krondor, Jimmy knew from his last visit. With all the destruction, landmarks didnt exist. Yet the patterns were the same, and if one constantly remembered where one was relative to one of the few intact recognizable features in the city, it should be possible to find ones way. At least Jimmy hoped this was so.
He heard movement before he saw it, and ducked back, almost knocking Malar over. Someone walked along the abandoned street, coming closer. Jimmy and Malar hunkered down, fading into the darkness between the walls.
Shortly, a pair of armed men hurried by, upon what errand Jimmy could only guess. Jimmy waited, to see if they returned or if others followed. When no one else appeared after a few minutes, he moved across the road to a burned-out inn.
Hunkering down behind a section of still-standing wall, Jimmy whispered, This inn has a Way into the sewers. If its not blocked, and if the sewers are still intact, we can get inside the city. Most of the sewer is cut off from out there to in there, he said pointing toward the city, but there is an old collapsed wall of a cistern that we can wiggle through.
Is that a good idea, young sir? asked Malar. From what weve heard it seems difficult to remain inside without being pressed into a work gang. At least that seems the general opinion.
I dont plan on being seen, said Jimmy. Youre free to make your own way from here on, if you choose.
Living by my wits is an old habit of mine, young sir, but I suspect you and your brother are my best opportunity to find something beyond that. He studied Jimmy for a moment, as if weighing risks against possible rewards, then said, You and your brother are two men of some position, I suspect. If so, and if I serve you to a good ending, then perhaps I may salvage something from what has so far been a horrible turn of fate. He fell silent for a moment again, then said, If you will have me in your service, I will go with you.
Jimmy half shrugged. I guess that makes you my servant in fact, then. Tell you what you must do. Should anything happen to me, return as best you may to the East. Long before you reach the Kingdom Army you will almost certainly be apprehended by Kingdom advanced scouts. Probably Hadati hillmen or Krondorian Pathfinders. If its Hadatis, see if theres a man named Akee with them. If Pathfinders, ask for Captain Subati. Have either of those men take you to Owen Greylock or Eric von Darkmoor and tell them everything youve seen so far. Without a name, youll be taken for a Keshian deserter or looter or something, and it might be a long time before anyone heard your story. And they must know what weve seen.
But what have we seen? said Malar, genuinely perplexed.
Im not sure, which is why we must get inside the city. But whatever it is, its not something we anticipated.
Thats bad.
Jimmy grinned. Why do you say that?
Because the unanticipated is always bad.
Jimmys grin broadened. Always?
Always. There is no such thing as a pleasant surprise.
I remember this girl once
Did she end up breaking your heart?
Jimmy nodded with a smile now rueful. That she did.
You see. If you can anticipate, you can stay beyond harms reach.
You sound like a man of experience, suggested Jimmy.
Malars eyes narrowed. More than most men know, young sir.
Jimmy looked around. The shadows had deepened as the sun had lingered in the west, and now the sky above was turning a stunning shade of violet as night approached. Its dark enough we wont be noticed, Im thinking. He led Malar into the rear of the old inn, having to carefully pick his way across a section of timbers, what was left from a collapsed doorway and wall section, as well as part of the ceiling above. The roof was gone, and blackened timbers above showed starkly against the darkening sky. They moved cautiously, then Jimmy said, Its around here somewhere.
He knelt and looked around. He moved some smaller debris covered in thick soot, raising a stench of wet charcoal. Some of the wood is rotting.
Malar said, There is a ring of iron there, young sir.
Give me a hand, said Jimmy as he cleared the top of the trapdoor.
As the two men pulled, Jimmy said, This used to be the back room at an inn controlled by the Mockers.
Mockers?
Thieves, said Jimmy. I thought their fame reached into the vale.
The only thieves with whom I had contact were those who used quill and parchment, not dagger and guile. Businessmen.
Jimmy laughed. My brother would agree; he used to work for the worst of the lot, Rupert Avery.
Thats a name I have heard, young sir. My late master had cause to curse him more than once.
They got the trap moved and swung it back, letting it fall. The opening yawned at them like a black pit. Jimmy said, I wish we had some light.
You expect to travel in such gloom? said Malar, a note of incredulity in his voice.
There is no light on the brightest day down there. He found what he was looking for, the ladder down, and as he swung himself down onto the topmost rung, he said, There are lights down there if one but knows where to look.
If you know where to look, Malar muttered under his breath.
They carefully descended into the darkness.
Dash winced, but not from the cold; rather he flinched at the sound of a lash striking a man down below. He, Gustaf, Talwin, and a few other men he had come to know were laboring atop the wall just to the north of Krondors main gate. Dash glanced over at Gustaf, who nodded, indicating everything was all right. Suddenly they both turned. A man screamed a few yards off as he lost his footing; in that brief instant, the man knew with dread certainty he was going to fall and no amount of will or prayer would keep him alive. His anguish and terror filled the afternoon air as he toppled sideways and fell to his death on the cobbles below. Gustaf flinched at the sound of the body striking the unyielding rock. They were repairing the battlements and the footing was treacherous, made doubly so by loose stones and constant fog in the mornings and evenings.
Keep your wits about you, said Dash.
You dont have to tell me that twice, said Gustaf.
Dash chanced a look over the wall and saw the usual confusion of the foulbourgh, soldiers milling around, street vendors, and the other human flotsam drawn into this eddy of the previous years war. Somewhere out there, he fervently wished, his brother Jimmy was getting the information needed to alert Owen Greylock that something strange was taking place in Krondor.
Given the lack of resources, General Duko was doing an admirable job of restoring the city to its earlier status, at least from a military point of view. The merchants and other residents of Krondor would see years pass before the city came close to returning to its former prosperity. Too much damage had occurred for that to be anything but a distant dream. But from a soldiers point of view, Krondor would be close to its previous level of defensibility in less than a years time, perhaps as quickly as nine or ten months.
Dash wished mightily he could get loose of this work gang, scout around, and find out what was going on, but the reality of the situation was that any man who wasnt an invader was a slave. Whatever Dashs father had been thinking, it would have made more sense to have sent along one of the men who had traveled to Novindus with Erik von Darkmoor, someone who spoke the language and had a fair chance of passing for one of the men from the continent across the sea.