Return to Embremere

RETURN

TO

EMBREMERE

Tales of Embremere: Book Two

by

William Kenney

Also available in the series:

Embremere

And also by William Kenney:

The In the Shadow of the Black Sun saga:

Book one: A Dream of Storms

Book two: Shards of S'Darin

Copyright 2012

William Kenney

Smashwords edition

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CHAPTER ONE

The report said it was a girl with pink hair. She shouldn’t be too hard to find, shouted one of the guards as he and the dozen or so others descended into The Under. Their pristine blue armor reflected dully the dim light of the world below the platform, the Underdwellers existing forever in the shadow of Embremere above. Though it was mid-morning, the light of the sun would never reach the innermost neighborhoods of this dark city.

We find her, we find the Wychan. Only one with his power could have summoned the spirits the way he did. The King has put a bounty on his head. Let’s beat the others to it.

A few short weeks had passed since the deaths of several members of the royal family, the city now gripped with panic and fear at the thought of the ghostly specters that had come that night. Many would not leave their homes for days, convinced that they were next to be killed. It had been a shocking sequence of events, the guards found dead in their barracks and upon the street, the prince torn to pieces and dropped into the market square. Much damage had been done by the fire that ripped through The District of Justice, with many of the court buildings now completely destroyed.

Then, ahead of them, nearly buried in the crowd, she appeared, her bright hair standing out among the others as they walked.

There, Captain! It's our lucky day. She's right there, one of the guards said as he pointed down the street, the captain's gaze following his gesture.

Go! Let's bring her back unharmed just as Princess Greya asked, boys.

They began to push their way through the busy streets, weaving in between Underdwellers, who upon noticing who they were, backed away in fear. People began to shout out warnings to the others.

Soldiers from The Over! Run! they screamed.

The captain's men quickly covered ground and were on her before she was aware of their presence. They grabbed her roughly from behind and spun her around to face Captain Szaen.

Well, that was easier than ex-

He stopped suddenly upon looking at the person in their grasp. Underneath the frock of pink hair was a woman of roughly eighty years of age, toothless with skin like old leather.

Wha- what is this? You're not the one. You're not her! he shouted. All around him, the crowd rumbled with muffled laughter. He glared at them, at the same time, noticing a girl with the same hair color standing among them.

There! he called out, pushing the old woman away. Get her!

The soldiers rushed into the crowd, snatching the girl by the arm, then releasing her as they got a closer look. She, by contrast, was far too young to be the one that they sought. Once more, the crowd laughed.

They're protecting her, Captain Szaen. They've all colored their hair to match hers.

Fools, Szaen hissed. We'll find her and when we do, we'll find the Wychan as well. You can't hide them forever. Remember, the King can always make things harder on you down here.

He turned on his heel, cursing.

Let's go! he shouted to his men as they stomped off down the street, their boot heels echoing on the wooden platform below.

Looking on from the crowd, Waterwolf sneered as the King's men left them, knowing that now that they had started, they would not stop searching for Lyrica and Grivvin. He needed to warn them as soon as possible. He threw his net of fish over his shoulder and headed for the pier where his new boat was waiting. Lyrica had been right, the chain that they had recovered two months ago was worth a fortune and he had nearly spent his share on his new watercraft. It was a thing of beauty, long and shapely and painted bright blue with his name along the sides. He smiled as he reached it and jumped aboard, tossing the net into the well to keep the fish fresh.

He dropped his hand onto his new Wychan rudder and powered the boat forward toward Red Rim.

You're really horrible at this, you know? Lyrica said, watching Grivvin attempting to untangle his fishing line.

Again.

Thank you, my dear, he replied with a smile that quickly turned into a frustrated scowl, the line gaining the upper hand. If I could just figure out how to cast this thing...

It's all right, Grivvin. Mommy will catch you something, she said sarcastically, brushing her recently-brown hair from her face.

Forget it. I'm starting over, Grivvin said, pulling his knife and cutting the line. He fished the remaining line through the eyes along the pole and began to tie a barbed hook at the end.

You can't expect to master it after only a few tries, Lyrica said, trying to reassure him. This is something you never did when you lived above us. I, for instance, wouldn't have the first idea how to act among royalty. Which fork goes where? Who do I bow to? What color shoes go with the dress?

Curtsie, Grivvin said.

What?

Women don't bow, they curtsie, he said.

Oh, right, right. I remember, Lyrica said, casting out her line once more. I wouldn't fit in up there anyway. Me in one of those fancy dresses? Associating with royalty? I don't think so.

I think you'd look beautiful in one of those dresses, Grivvin said, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. The royals would be lucky to have you.

Lyrica stared at the water with a grin.

Now you're just flirting, sir.

They both began to laugh as Grivvin finally finished tying his hook. He pulled his arm back over his head and let it fly, the weight and bait sailing out over the water to splash close to where Lyrica's hook sat.

Nice! she congratulated him. That was a perfect cast. See? You're getting the hang of it. You'll be a master fisherman in no time.

Ha. I highly doubt that, Grivvin replied. He noticed a familiar boat coming around the northern end of the pier. Hey, here comes Waterwolf. What's his hurry?

The boat came to a stop just down the pier and Waterwolf was out quickly, tying it off. He sprinted toward them, waving his skinny arms, his shaggy hair an unruly mess.

Lyrica! Grivvin! he called out as he ran up to them.

What is it, Wolf? she asked, placing her fishing rod in a metal holder fastened to the planks at her feet.

There are guards from The Over in town, searching for the two of you. Big guys, lots of armor, weapons, the works. Your doubles made them so angry. It was hilarious. I had to warn you to be on the lookout.

Actually, I had expected them sooner, Grivvin remarked, searching the buildings in the vicinity with his eyes. Fishing out here in the open is going to have to stop for now, I suppose. Now, we stay hidden and hope that they give up the search.

No, the way their leader talked, the king wants you both dead. Don't think they'll stop any time soon.

Grivvin nodded with a frown. Suddenly, the tip of his fishing pole dipped toward the water, relaxed and then dipped harder.

You've got something there, Grivvin, Waterwolf said, stepping up next to him. Careful. Don't set the hook just yet. Let it take a big bite.

Something tugged at the line once more, this time dragging the line to the left, running with the bait.

Now! Set the hook. He's running with it, said Waterwolf, jerking his hands back as if he were the one with the pole.

Grivvin yanked back hard on the rod, feeling heavy resistance on the other end. He cranked the reel a few times, letting the tip of the pole fall closer to the water, then pulled back hard once more.

You got it! You got that sucker. Now treat it gently, don't do anything crazy. Slowly pull him toward you. Don't rush it. Now is not the time for haste-

Wolf, shut up! Lyrica said with a laugh. You're doing fine, Grivvin. Go on.

Whatever it is, it's very strong, Grivvin grunted as he struggled to reel in a bit of line, his toes close to the edge of the pier.

Here, move behind the rail over here. Get your chest against it. No way, he'll pull you through that, Waterwolf suggested.

Grivvin did so, his elbows resting on the top of the railing, his body pulled tight against it. His knuckles became white as he struggled to keep one hand wrapped tightly around the pole and the other turning the handle on the reel.

You might have a Bladeshark. They're strong as can be, Waterwolf said, shoulder to shoulder with him, his eyes glued to the surface of the lake. Let me know if you need some help, Grivvin.

I'm fine, I'm fine, Grivvin replied. There was a hard tug on the line, nearly wrenching his shoulders out of their sockets. But this thing is huge, whatever it is.

Lyrica, grab a gaff! It's gonna take all of us to land this thing, said Waterwolf.

She ran to the many crates and barrels that were stacked against the buildings there and grabbed one of the long gaffs, a wickedly barbed point at its end. She ran back to the edge of the pier and squatted on one knee, gaff at the ready.

Waterwolf, I think I'm gonna take you up on that offer. Lend me a hand here, will ya? Grivvin asked with a chuckle.

Sure, buddy. Waterwolf moved closer to him, reached out his left hand and grabbed the pole just above the reel. Bracing his body against the railing, he pulled with all of his strength. He could feel the solid weight that was resisting them and looked at Grivvin, his eyebrows raised.

You're not kidding, are you? he asked of Grivvin. Gods, this thing is enormous. I've never caught anything that big before. It's got to be a Bladeshark. There's nothing else in The Under that big or strong.

Do me a favor, Waterwolf. Stop talking and start pulling.

Right!

Waves rippled the surface as the thing on the end of the line was pulled higher, fighting like mad all the way.

Nearly there, Grivvin! Nearly there! Waterwolf called out.

Just then, the line went slack, nearly throwing them off their feet, Grivvin's hand making several revolutions on the reel before he stopped.

No...what happened? Waterwolf said, staring at the pole, then the water. Did the line break? Gods, that was th-

Water erupted all around them as a dark shape nearly the size of Waterwolf's boat emerged, shooting out of the lake and landing at the edge of the pier. Its appearance was horrifying, its slimy shell grey and green, its many limbs flailing about. Each crab-like leg ended in a jagged pincher, the snapping sound filling the air as it reached out for prey. It had many black eyes that jerked about erratically in their sockets and massive toothy mandibles that slammed shut on the railing, snapping the pieces of lumber to splinters.

The three of them were quickly away from the edge, their backs against the building there, their hearts pounding.

"What is that