Caleb nodded. Check them for poison, as well. He glanced at Jommy, Youre injured.
Ive had worse, said the young man with a grin. Last time I crossed swords with Talwin Hawkins he cut me three times, and he wasnt even trying.
Caleb looked at the spreading bloodstains on Jommys tunic. Get them bound, boy, or Marie will have my ears.
Jommy winked at Tad and Zane as they joined the others in standing over their quarry. Your mum does look after me, doesnt she?
Tad made a wry face. I think she likes you best.
Zane nodded. I swear thats true.
Jommys grin widened. Thats because youve been causing her grief your entire lives. Ive only been annoying her for a few months. Shell get tired of me quick enough.
Magnus said, No doubt, as he cast a sidelong glance at the tall, redheaded youth. Jommy had quickly become well liked at Sorcerers Island and had easily fitted in with Calebs adopted family. In a few difficult spots, he had revealed himself to be tough, loyal and willing to risk himself for others, yet he never seemed to lose his sense of humour.
Tad moved to look at Ketlami who now lay motionless, moaning and cursing softly. What now?
Caleb said, We need to take this one to Father. To Chezarul he said, Take the three captives back to the city and get what you can out of them. These should be the last of the Nighthawks in Durbin, but against the possibility there are stragglers still at large, wring every drop of truth from them you can. Then see they plague the world no longer.
Chezarul nodded once, then began issuing orders to his men.
Magnus pulled out an orb and said, Boys, stand close. He stood directly over Ketlami, while Caleb reached down and gripped a handful of the mans tunic with one hand, and the hem of Magnuss black robe with the other. Jommy put a hand on Magnuss shoulder, while Tad and Zane each stood close behind Caleb.
Magnus depressed a switch on the orb and suddenly they vanished, leaving Chezarul and his men on the empty beach to clean up the last vestige of the Nighthawks in Durbin, and perhaps Great Kesh, if they were lucky.
CHAPTER TWO
Oracle
THE PRISONER GLARED DEFIANTLY.
Jomo Ketlami hung by shackles from the stone wall. His clothing had been cut away, leaving him no dignity, but Pug had judged it necessary as his dark body was tattooed with arcane symbols, black, white, red, and yellow, and some of these were wards.
He was a powerfully built man. To the three boys at the back of the room, he looked strong enough to rip the iron rings out of the wall. His head was completely shaved and glistened with perspiration. He had a wrestlers neck and shoulders, and his bare torso rippled with muscle. His black eyes showed no hint of fear. He snarled as he confronted his captors.
Half a dozen guards had been stationed outside the door and Magnus stood watch inside against any magical incursion, either to rescue Ketlami or to silence him. Caleb and the boys stood against the opposite wall, out of the way. Two men entered the room.
It was Pug, followed by Nakor.
Magnus asked, Wheres Bek?
Outside, if I need him, said Nakor. He doesnt need to see this.
Magnuss glance at his brother communicated a silent question: but these boys do? Caleb nodded once. Magnus studied his brothers face then returned a single nod. The boys had proven themselves so far, showing iron will when needed and a fearlessness that was the hallmark of youth, but which was being rapidly replaced by a more sober appreciation of the real dangers they faced, youthful bravado becoming genuine bravery before Magnus and Calebs eyes. But combat was one thing, and torture another.
No one spoke for a moment longer, then Ketlami shouted at Pug, You may as well kill me now, magician! Im oath bound to take the secrets of the Guild to Lims-Kragmas Hall!
Pug said nothing, but turned towards the door as two more men entered the small chamber. The boys moved to the left side of the rear wall, giving the newcomers room to make their way to where the prisoner waited.
One of the two men wore a black leather hood and a faded tunic covered in old stains. Tad glanced at his two companions and knew instantly they all concluded the nature of those stains. The torturer took up a position before the prisoner, while the second man came to stand beside Pug.
He was a nondescript man of middle height, with no distinguishing features and brown hair, and he wore the shirt and trousers of a trader or farmer. His feet were clad in modest leather boots. He stared at the prisoner, who suddenly turned and locked eyes with him. Ketlamis eyes widened. After a moment, he closed his eyes and an expression of pain crossed his face. More perspiration beaded on his forehead and he let out an animal growl, half pain, half aggravation. Get out of my head! he shouted, then with an expression of triumph, he laughed and said to the newcomer, Youll have to do better than that!
Pug glanced at the other man with an unspoken question. The other man looked at Pug, nodded once, then looked once more at Ketlami.
Pug said, Begin, and the torturer took a quick step forward and drove his fist straight into Ketlamis stomach. He stepped back while the prisoner gasped, his eyes watering. After a moment, Ketlami sucked in a deep breath and said, A beating? What next? Hot irons and pincers?
The torturer struck Ketlami in the stomach again, but this time it was two quick blows, and suddenly the contents of the victims stomach emptied onto the floor.
Jommys expression was grim as he looked at his companions. All three boys had been trained in hand-to-hand combat and an early lesson had been about double strikes to the stomach. A strong man could take a single blow and not miss a stride, but two quick strikes, the second coming before his stomach muscles could recover fully from the first, and he was doubled over, losing his last meal.
Magnus, Caleb, Pug and Nakor stood implacably, watching as Ketlami spat. The first indignity was but a start in slowly breaking the man down and learning what they needed to know, the location of the Grand Master of the Nighthawks.
Everyone remained silent as the torturer struck Ketlami across the face with the back of his hand. It was an insulting blow as much as a damaging one, and did nothing more than bring tears to the prisoners eyes again and make him even more defiant. Caleb turned and whispered to the boys, It will be some time before he truly begins to feel hopelessness. He is a strong man: moreover, hes a fanatic.
The three boys stood quietly, their grim expressions reflecting the proceedings they observed. The torturer was methodical and appeared to be in no hurry. He would strike the prisoner repeatedly, then pause, as if letting Ketlami catch his breath. He struck him in the face, the torso, the legs.
After nearly half an hour of this slow beating, Jomo Ketlami hung from his chains, unable to stand. He appeared to be on the verge of unconsciousness.
Revive him, said Pug.
The torturer nodded and moved to the far corner of the room where a table stood, upon which rested a variety of bags and instruments of his trade. He opened one of the bags and removed an item, a small vial. Stepping up to the limp form of Ketlami, he unstoppered the vial, holding it under the mans face. Ketlamis head jerked back and everyone heard his sharp intake of breath, followed by a faint groan.
Where hides your master? Pug demanded.
Ketlami raised his face to face Pug. Both his eyes were swollen nearly shut and his lip was split. He could barely speak for the swelling of his mouth, but he still retained a look of defiance. Youll never break me, magician. Kill me and get it over with.
Pug glanced at the man standing next to him who shook his head slightly. Continue, Pug said.
The torturer returned the vial to his bag and then came to stand before the prisoner. Ketlami glared at him. The man suddenly brought his knee up, brutally striking the Nighthawk in the groin. Ketlami collapsed completely, and hung for a moment from his chains, gasping for air.
And the beating continued.
Well into the second hour, Tad appeared to be on the verge of collapsing himself. With each repeated blow he would wince visibly. Caleb observed his adopted sons behaviour, then motioned him to leave the room with him. With a wave of his hand, he instructed Jommy and Zane to stay.
Outside the door, in a long corridor with guards on either hand, Ralan Bek was hunkered down with his back against the wall. The strange and dangerous youth had been given over to Nakors supervision and seemed content with the situation.
Are you all right? Caleb asked Tad.
Tad took a long breath and let it out slowly. Not really, he replied. Ive seen a few fights, as you know, but this
Its different, finished his step-father.
Tad took a deep breath. I know what he is, but
Caleb looked Tad in the eyes. Its brutal. Its evil, and its necessary. You know what he is: he would kill you without a thought; kill me, your mother, anyone, and then sleep the night like a baby after doing so. He is not worthy of your conscience.
I know, its just that I feel as if
Caleb, in an uncharacteristic act, suddenly put his arms around Tad and hugged him close. I know; believe me, I know. He released his step-son. Something is lost by this, and it is something I doubt any of us can earn back.
But those who oppose us mean naught but ill for those we love and they must be stopped. Now, this is going to take a while longer. If we didnt have the resources we do, it might take days. But this man will give up what we wish to know in another hour or two. If you wish, you may remain out here.
Tad thought it over for a moment, then shook his head. No. Some day I may have to do this myself.
Caleb nodded, knowing that both Jommy and Zane would have missed this aspect of the lesson. Yes, mores the pity.
They returned to the room and found the torturer reviving Ketlami again. Caleb and Tad resumed their place alongside the others, and Zane whispered, Surely he cant last much longer?
Caleb whispered in return, You will discover that men are a great deal more resilient than you think if they believe strongly in their cause. This man is a depraved animal, but he thinks he serves a higher cause, and that makes him very difficult to break. Talk to Talwin Hawkins as he remembered his own fathers stories of his years in a Tsurani labour camp, or your grandfather about what men can endure. Youll be surprised, I wager.
For almost another hour the punishment was meted out, then suddenly the torturer halted. He glanced at Pug, without a word, and the magician nodded. Pug then turned to the man next to him who made a noncommittal gesture.
Pug said, Give him water, and the torturer complied, giving the prisoner a long drink from a copper cup. The drink seemed to restore Ketlami a little and he spat in the torturers face. The implacable man in the black hood merely wiped away the spittle and looked at Pug for instructions.
Pug asked again, Where is your Grand Master?
Ill never tell you, said Ketlami.
The man next to Pug reached over and gripped his forearm. I have it, he said in a low voice.
Youre certain? asked Nakor.
I am certain, replied the man.
Pug took a deep breath, then looked at Ketlami, whose distorted features couldnt hide the malevolence of his expression. Pug said quietly, Finish.
With a quick, unhesitating motion, the torturer drew a sharp blade from his belt and made a single downward cut, sliced through an artery which fountained blood into the air. Ketlamis eyes widened in shock for a brief instant. What
Then his mouth filled with blood and his head fell forward.
Nakor turned to the three boys. Sever the blood-flow to the head and he loses consciousness before he even understands hes been cut. It looks like butchery, but its kinder than any other cut I know of.
Jommy whispered, Kind or not, dead is dead.
Pug motioned for everyone to depart as the torturer began to take Ketlamis body down.
Seeing everyone leaving the room, Bek stood up and said to Nakor, Can we go now? Im bored.
Nakor nodded. We will have some bloody work to do soon enough. He turned to Pug. We will meet you upstairs, he said, leading Bek away.
The room where the torture had taken place was in the cellar of one of Chezaruls warehouses on the edge of the City of Kesh. The now dead Nighthawk had been transported there by Magnus against the threat of any agents lingering in Durbin. They were nearly certain the Conclave had destroyed the Nighthawks in Great Kesh, but nearly certain wasnt absolutely certain.
Pug turned to the man who had stood next to him and said, Where?
Cavell Keep.
Pugs expression turned thoughtful, as if he was trying to recall something. I remember, he said, finally. Thank you, he told the man, and motioned for him, and the guards, to depart. After a moment only Magnus, Caleb and the boys remained in the hallway.
Who was that man, Father? asked Caleb.
Joval Delan. Though he is not one of our community, he is someone who owes the Conclave a favour or two. Hes the best human mind-reader Ive ever encountered, but rather than use his ability for a cause, he hides it except when he exploits it for profit. He glanced at the back of the retreating man. A shame. He could teach us much. He knew Ketlami would have strong wards to prevent his mind being read, but that eventually he couldnt stop himself from thinking about what he wished to hide. Glancing at the three boys, he added, That was the reason for the beating. Remember the childs game where you say, Dont think of the dragon in the corner?
You can force yourself not to think of something for a great deal of time if you have the training, and the physical and mental resources, but if youre beaten down enough, what you are trying to hide does eventually come to the surface of the mind. To his son he said, Which is why we now know the Grand Master of the Nighthawks hides at Cavell Keep.
Cavell Keep? asked Caleb. I know Cavell Town, north of Lyton, but a keep?
Abandoned, said Pug. High in the hills above the highway. From the distance it blends into the rocks; youll only notice it from the road or river if youre looking for it. Its up a draw from the town. You have to want to find it.
The last Baron Corvallis refused to live in it its a long story. Ill tell you about it some other time, but what I know is that the ancient keep used to guard a fair portion of the trade route between Lyton and Sloop. Baron Corvalliss daughter married a man from Lyton, a commoner I believe, and the King let that title fall vacant. The Earl of Sloop was given that area to rule, despite it being closer to Lyton.