Ethan was just about to go back to the common room when the door opened. Jonas entered, his expression unreadable.

"Five days," he muttered while sitting down on the edge of the bed. "He said it would take at least that long to get our papers. And I heard people talking about Hank's murder. The city guards are questioning everyone."

"Then we should stay inside," suggested Ethan.

"Yes," he agreed. "But not here. Jared knows where we are, and I would bet that sooner or later they'll question him as well. He can lead them right to us."

"So what should we do?"

"I checked out a few other places where we can stay," he replied. "We'll move from inn to inn until it's time to leave."

"Then what?"

Jonas reached in his shirt and pulled out a map. He placed a finger on the dot representing Miltino and moved it along a road leading out of the city. We'll go north until we reach Branz. Then northwest across country to the mountains."

"What's in the mountains?"

"Dwarves." He folded the map and tossed it onto the dresser. "At least, I hope there's still dwarves there. But we can discuss that later. Right now, I need rest."

Pulling off his boots, he settled into the room's only chair and within minutes was snoring loudly. Ethan laid down on the bed beside Kat and closed his eyes, but sleep did not come so easily for him. It took more than an hour to finally drop off, and when he did, his dreams were filled with visions of fire and death. Dragons fell from the sky, consumed by dark flames.

In the morning his clothes were drenched in sweat and his muscles ached from a night of constant tension. On glancing around the room he saw that Jonas was already up and packed. Kat, meanwhile, was tying her hair in a ponytail, humming softly.

On their way out, Jonas had a quiet word with the innkeeper, then led them to their next destination. They spent the day in their rooms, only coming out to eat.

For the next four days they moved from inn to inn. Ethan was relieved that they saw no sign of Jared, and that the city guards they encountered took no interest in them. Kat suggested that Hank's death was perhaps now being handled by the Hareesh directly, being that he was one of their own.

It was just after dinner when a message came that their travel papers were at last ready.

"We should leave tonight," said Jonas. "I've had just about enough of Miltino."

Both Ethan and Kat agreed and began packing their belongings while Jonas went off to collect the papers. By the time he returned they were eager to be going.

The way to the north gate took them through a much more affluent section of the city. The streets were immaculate and extremely well lit by highly polished bra.s.s lanterns that hung from posts every few yards. Ethan could not help but be impressed by the elegance of the surroundings. The elaborate wrought iron fences enclosing lovingly cared for gardens, and the houses some as tall as three stories were every bit as beautiful as the English manors he had seen during his time there.

When they were only a few blocks from the main avenue leading to the gate, three men who at first they thought to be city guards approached from the opposite direction.

"Imperials," hissed Kat as they drew near. She slowed her pace and fell in behind Ethan.

Ethan's heart immediately began to race. He reached back to take her hand, but discovered that she was gone. He quickly scanned the area but couldn't see her anywhere. The soldiers were already upon them and blocking their path. They were clad in chain mail jerkins and polished black greaves. Atop their heads were black leather helms crowned with a crimson raven.

The soldier in the center glared at them. "Destination?"

"Nowhere in particular," Jonas replied. "Just out for a walk."

"Papers," he demanded, thrusting out a gauntleted hand.

Jonas and Ethan produced their false doc.u.ments at once. Beads of sweat were beginning to form on Ethan's brow as the soldier examined them.

He handed the papers to the man on his left. "And now you can tell me why you are carrying these forgeries." His hand shot to the hilt of his sword.

"They're not..." Jonas began.

He was cut short. "They're good enough to fool those idiots at the gate, but not me. Now tell me where you are going and who you really are...now."

The other two soldiers also placed their hands threateningly on their weapons.

As Jonas struggled to find some authentic sounding story, a voice called out from across the street, cutting through the tension.

"Ah! There you are."

All eyes turned to see a tall, broad shouldered man in black leather armor and with a long sword at his side trotting over to them. He had dark curly hair and a close cropped beard. What could be seen of his face was terribly scarred and weathered, giving him an imposing and somewhat sinister appearance.

"Get back, citizen," shouted the guard.

The man halted in the middle of the street to regard Jonas and Ethan. "Did you try pa.s.sing off those ridiculous papers to these men?" He shook his head and clicked his tongue. "You are a couple of fools, for certain."

"You know these two?" asked the soldier.

"Of course," he replied. "They are wanted by the Hareesh for questioning."

The soldier spat on the ground. "I should have guessed that by the very look of you. Well, you can tell the Hareesh that they're coming with us. And if they don't like it, they can go to h.e.l.l."

The man chuckled. "I was afraid you might say that."

The newcomer's hand was a blur as he reached for his belt. Before any of the soldiers could react, a small dagger whipped through the air and sank into the middle soldier's exposed throat. The other two stared at their dying comrade, momentarily stunned.

By the time they had recovered, the man was already across the street with sword drawn. Frantically, they reached for their own weapons, but two swift blows opened up ma.s.sive wounds in their necks the second one of these very nearly removing the head completely.

The man stepped back and watched the bodies fall. "You've got to love Imperial arrogance."

Utterly astonished, Ethan and Jonas simply stood there, unable to move or speak.

"Snap out of it," the man told them. His eyes swept around. "Where is the girl who was with you?"

The mention of Kat brought Ethan back to his senses. "What girl?"

The newcomer sniffed. "It doesn't matter. Come with me unless you want to end up in an Imperial prison."

Jonas planted his feet firmly. "We're not going anywhere with you."

He shrugged. "Suit yourself. But you won't get far with the Hareesh on your trail."

"I...I thought " stuttered Ethan.

"Not a good time to be thinking," said the man. "Someone is bound to walk by here soon. And you don't want to be anywhere near these bodies when they're discovered."

After a few seconds impatiently waiting, he sheathed his weapon and threw up his hands. "Fine. Stay here then."

He strode off with Jonas making no move to follow. Ethan took another look around, hoping to see Kat.

"I think we should go with him," he said.

"Are you insane?" Jonas responded, then quickly shook his head. "Don't answer that."

Ethan glared at him for a second or two. "I'll go on my own then," he said, setting off after what he hoped was their rescuer. Letting out an exasperated grunt, Jonas followed.

"Who are you?" Ethan asked after catching up.

"They call me Specter," he replied.

"Why did you help us?" asked Jonas, full of suspicion.

"Let's just say I'm not a fan of the Imperials. I knew they were looking for someone."

Specter stopped short and pulled them both into the shadow of a tall hedge surrounding a particularly large manor. Three young men in silk finery walked by laughing drunkenly and talking of their night at the tavern. When they were out of sight, Specter continued.

"I heard that they were looking for two strangers leaving Jaobin. And when Hank turned up dead, it didn't take me long to find you."

"We had nothing to do with that," Jonas protested.

"Really?" he mocked. "That's a shame, because I always hated him. Anyway, the girl was the one who really helped me to find you. Jared is going crazy about that one. He's turning over every b.l.o.o.d.y stone in Miltino. When I spotted her, I knew you'd likely be nearby."

Ethan listened intensely to every word Specter was saying. There was something about the man his mannerisms and voice seemed familiar. And though his face was badly scarred, his eyes were friendly and kind.

"That still doesn't explain why you helped us," Jonas said. The anxiety in his voice was growing. "Are you with the Hareesh?"

Specter laughed. "Of course I am. But like I said, I have no love for the Empire. And if they want you, I want to know why."

Jonas raised a hand. "In that case we must part ways here."

Specter looked him directly in the eye. "Believe me, I have no intention of allowing the Empire to get their hands on you. And I couldn't care less about Hank. The papers you bought, which by the way, you forgot to take from the guard's body, were worthless. So you can either come with me or wait to get captured. At least with me you stand a chance."

"I'll go with you," said Ethan.

"Smart boy," he replied.

Jonas considered this new situation for a few moments, then his shoulders sagged. "This is a bad idea, Ethan. But if you're going to follow this...person, I guess I must do so as well."

With the matter settled, Specter turned and led them down a series of side streets and narrow alleys until they reached an area not far from where they had entered the city. He pointed to a large brick building at the end of the avenue. Two men were guarding the entrance, and even from more than a hundred yards away they could hear the sounds of harsh laughter and merrymaking issuing forth.

"Stay silent until we're inside," he ordered.

"Where are we?" asked Ethan.

"Home sweet home," Specter replied with a roguish grin.

Chapter Five.

The guards by the entrance gave Specter a sideways glance and then moved aside.

He pushed open the door and paused. "Evening boys."

The two men didn't bother to respond. Specter chuckled and continued on inside. Directly beyond the entrance was a long hall with a series of doors on either side. Lamps along the corridor were bright enough to reveal the stains and blemishes on the floor some of which Ethan easily recognized as being dried blood.

The m.u.f.fled sounds of laughter and songs increased as they wound their way through the building. Ethan tried to make a mental note of their route, but it seemed as if the place had been designed specifically to be confusing.

Eventually they reached a stairwell that led down into a bas.e.m.e.nt which was the apparent source of the merrymaking. At the bottom they came to a thick wooden door with a covered slot at eye level. Specter knocked. The slot slid open almost immediately.

"Oh, it's you," came a voice from the other side. "What do you want?"

"To kick your teeth in if you don't open the door," replied Specter.

After a short pause, the door slowly opened. Beyond it was a large room filled with dozens of unpleasant looking men and women all seated at tables, drinking and laughing. At the far end, raised up slightly on a small platform, stood a beautifully crafted oak chair. Though currently unoccupied, Ethan imagined that this was where the leader of this band of miscreants sat.

The man who had opened the door was staring at Specter with a hateful sneer.

"Who's this," he asked, pointing at Ethan and Jonas. "You can't just bring whoever you want down here. Or do you think the rules don't apply to you?"

Specter lowered his head and smiled. "Let me show you what applies to me, Lark." In a blur of motion his fist shot out and connected solidly on the side of the man's jaw. Such was the force, he spun almost completely around before falling hard on his face.

Ethan was dumbstruck by the sudden outburst of violence.

"We should get out of here," Jonas whispered in his ear.

Specter pushed the door closed. "I'm afraid it's far too late for that my gullible friends."

Ethan's heart froze. "What do you mean?"

"I mean you should have listened to your companion." He drew a dagger from his belt. "I'll have your weapons, purses and packs, if you please."

Ethan's eyes darted back and forth. There was nowhere to run. Specter blocked the door and dozens of armed men were on the other side.

"Do as he says," Jonas instructed. He removed his sword and purse.

Ethan glared angrily. "So you lied to us?"

Specter threw his head back in laughter. "Of course I did. Otherwise I would have had to knock you both out and carry you back here all by myself. That's way too much work. Far better to have you walk."

"But why?" Ethan demanded while handing over his dagger and money.

"Gold, dear boy. Gold."