This mountain, Croy said, I fear I know its name.
I think you might, Morget said. It is called Cloudblade, for the way it splits the storm clouds with its sharp peak. I think perhaps you also know the name of what lies underneath it. Yes, my friend. I learned that the place I sought was the Vincularium.
Malden frowned. He had never heard the name before. It had to be very old, though, because it sounded like a word from the language of the Old Empire-a language no longer spoken in Skrae, and used now only by the Church and by scholars. He knew only a few words of that language, but perhaps enough to know what the name meant. The Chained Place, no-the House of Chains? he asked.
Yes, Croy and Morget said together.
Whats a House of Chains? Malden asked.
Morget glanced at Croy. He knows little of maps, aye, but nothing of his own history.
Again, Ive lived in Ness my entire life. What do I care about the rest of the world? But come, indulge me. What, I ask once more, is a House of Chains?
Its a tomb, Croy said. From the look on his face it was a lot more than that. A very old tomb. It was built by the dwarves, a long time ago. They say it fills half of the interior of Cloudblade, and that it is a great labyrinth of traps and pitfalls. They also say it is haunted.
Malden touched his eyes with his thumb, an old gesture for warding off ghosts. He was not a superstitious man by nature, but no good ever came of disturbing the dead.
He shivered as he imagined the place. Hed heard far too many frightening stories about the underground lairs of the dwarves. In his day the dwarven kingdom was a small land just north of Skrae, a place of silent forests and cold, deep lakes. The dwarves themselves never went to the surface because they preferred to live underground. They had a handful of small cities up there built into old mine shafts where they worked tirelessly at their labors and only ever emerged to trade their wares for Skraeling gold. Once, though, their borders had extended much farther. Before mankind had come to this continent, the dwarves had been of much greater numbers and power. Most of their underground works were forsaken as their population dwindled. There were old abandoned dwarven cities left behind all over the continent-they were found as far away as the Northern Kingdoms and even on the Islands of Blue Mist, far to the east. No one ever went into those forgotten places, though, and for good reason. There was no telling what was down there-what hazards a grave robber might encounter, what terrible traps they might set off. The dwarves held many secrets, but everyone knew how clever they were with their hands, and how utterly deadly their safeguards were. Such places were not meant to be violated.
He shivered as he imagined the place. Hed heard far too many frightening stories about the underground lairs of the dwarves. In his day the dwarven kingdom was a small land just north of Skrae, a place of silent forests and cold, deep lakes. The dwarves themselves never went to the surface because they preferred to live underground. They had a handful of small cities up there built into old mine shafts where they worked tirelessly at their labors and only ever emerged to trade their wares for Skraeling gold. Once, though, their borders had extended much farther. Before mankind had come to this continent, the dwarves had been of much greater numbers and power. Most of their underground works were forsaken as their population dwindled. There were old abandoned dwarven cities left behind all over the continent-they were found as far away as the Northern Kingdoms and even on the Islands of Blue Mist, far to the east. No one ever went into those forgotten places, though, and for good reason. There was no telling what was down there-what hazards a grave robber might encounter, what terrible traps they might set off. The dwarves held many secrets, but everyone knew how clever they were with their hands, and how utterly deadly their safeguards were. Such places were not meant to be violated.
Sounds terrifying, he said, without a trace of flippancy.
It is my destiny, Morget insisted.
Well, that explains what youre doing in the West, Croy said. But not why you came to the Free City. The mountains of the Whitewall are a hundred miles from here.
I knew I could not storm the mountain on my own, Morget said. I learned many lessons on my travels. I learned when I could rely on the strength of my own back, which is almost always. And I learned that there are some few occasions when I must find help. This demon is stronger and more dangerous than any creature Ive fought before. Even with Dawnbringer in my hand it will be a challenge. I came for others who might help me defeat it-others sworn to that cause, in fact. I came looking for you, Croy. To ask for your assistance.
Croy leapt to his feet-and nearly slipped and fell on the slate tiles of the roof. Of course, he said. Of course I will help! I am honor bound. He drew Ghostcutter and pointed it at the sun. How could I refuse? Truth be told, Im grateful for the chance. We had some trouble with demons here in Ness a while back, but since then Ive heard nothing of them. Id thought they were killed off, every last one, and all the sorcerers who might summon them.
There is at least one more, Morget said. Perhaps we will have the honor of slaying the last one in the world.
That would be a tale to tell, Croy agreed. I am at your service, brother. Ghostcutter and Dawnbringer will drink demon ichor once more. I wonder-should we summon the others? Sir Orne, Sir Hew, and Sir Rory are all here in Skrae-the bearers of Crowsbill, Chillbrand, and Bloodquaffer. They would rally to our cause on the instant.
Morget looked sheepish. If its all the same, brother it is hard enough for me to admit I need the aid of one fellow Ancient Blade. Glory shared amongst two is glory halved. Split five ways
I understand, Croy said. But two of the swords are kept by your people. What of Fangbreaker? Id have thought you would go to its wielder first.
The one who bears Fangbreaker is not my brother, Morget said, in a tone that suggested he would not explain further.
Croy looked almost relieved-maybe he didnt want to share the glory either. Very well. The two of us will leave as soon as possible. Ah-and there will be traps.
Aye. The Vincularium is full of em, Morget said. Or so say the books at Redweir.
Well, then, your luck is with you today. When it comes to traps, and defeating them, theres none more skilled than Malden.
The barbarian turned a suddenly interested eye on the thief. His red mouth split open in a wide grin and he started to laugh.
I beg your pardon? Malden asked, looking up at Croy.
Itll be good sport, Croy told him with a wink. Youd be doing a work of great worth. And of course, the Vincularium is rumored to be stuffed full of treasure. He looked down at the thief as if that final word was the goad that would move him to acts of unrivaled heroism.
Chapter Eleven
So of course, I told him to jump in the river. Head-first, Malden said, when hed finished recounting the barbarians story.
Cutbill had wanted to hear everything, and Malden did not stint on any detail. The guildmaster of thieves listened attentively, all the while scribbling long strings of figures into his ledger, as if Morgets tale was a matter for scrupulous bookkeeping. You said that? To the barbarian? he asked, finally looking up.
Yes! I did. Or, rather, I told Croy to do that. I told Morget I wasnt the man he was looking for, but thanked him very much for considering me. Im not stupid.
Hmm, Cutbill mused. He flipped to an earlier page of his ledger. Well, thats settled, then. There are demons afoot once more. Of course, something will have to be done about that-we cant have such creatures at large.
Yes, yes, it must be vanquished. But they hardly need my help with that. The two of them have their magical swords. Theyre perfectly adequate to the task.
Cutbill shrugged dismissively. Still, I can see why theyd like to have someone along to take care of the traps. A sword-even a magical sword-is of little use to a man who has fallen into a bottomless pit. But you turned down their offer, quite reasonably. It does sound like a dangerous undertaking.
Positively foolhardy, Malden agreed.
Quite. Though I imagine that for Sir Croy the risk is half the reward. This will give him the chance to prove, once again, just how heroic he is. Hell reap a great bounty of honor and glory.
I suppose such things are what you desire if youre a titled mans son, and there is no need to ever work a day in your life.
I imagine that would be nice, Cutbill said.
Hes going to get himself killed. Him and the barbarian both. As for Morget, well, good riddance. That man is a threat to decent society. Its just a matter of time before he kills someone just being here in the city.
Its for the best, then, that he leaves soon. Cutbill put down his pen and rubbed his chin. And yet I do not wish him ill.
Well, of course not, Malden said, raising one eyebrow. He wasnt sure what Cutbill was on about but he could tell the man was already forming a scheme. I mean, at the very least, I hope he survives long enough to save us all from the demon, but-
Cutbill lifted his pen for silence. Hmm. He wants someone to deal with the Vinculariums traps. Ill have to think of someone I could send his way. Just in the interest of getting him out of my town faster.
Much joy it gives them both, I hope. Ill have nothing to do with this tomb. As I told them, in no uncertain terms. Of course, then Croy had to go and suggest the place was full of treasure. As if that was all it would take to make my ears prick up. Theres more to life than money.
There is? Cutbill asked, as if hed never considered the possibility.
Malden had to think about that for a moment. Yes, there is. Theres living to spend it.
Interesting, Cutbill said. He picked his pen back up. Just the other day, you were telling me that you needed a large sum of money for a specific reason. Tell me, how is that project going?
Malden had to think about that for a moment. Yes, there is. Theres living to spend it.
Interesting, Cutbill said. He picked his pen back up. Just the other day, you were telling me that you needed a large sum of money for a specific reason. Tell me, how is that project going?