Winterfinding by Daniel Casey Page B

right time.”
    “ I need to know now.”
Goshen’s face was red. “I’m fed up with all this. I demand to
know…” Declan stood up and came over to him placing his hand on his
shoulder. Goshen threw him off, but then softened whispering an
apology.
    “ He’s right, Kyrio Tobin,
we deserve to know about the forces acting on our fate.” Kira’s
voice was flat, disconnected.
    “ Very well.” Tobin came
over to the chair where Declan had been sitting. He shooed him away
and sat. Declan and Goshen moved to the opposite side of the fire
pit to stand behind Kira and Fery. The four were facing Tobin
waiting for him to begin.
    “ I suppose I should start
by asking just how much you know already and what exactly your plan
is.” When none of the four spoke, Tobin shrugged and
continued.
    “ In this day and age,
information is currency. It is not only the force that binds not
just the wealthy and the aristocratic or allows the powerful to
maintain their station, but also the weapon through which more
wealth, better positions, and broader power is
achieved.”
    “ Within my city of
Ardavass, there has been jockeying between the Spires since the
very founding of the city. Although a rising realm now, this
fundamental trait of my people has not changed. If anything, it’s
been exported to our neighbors. Most certainly to the clergy of
your sacred city of Sulecin.”
    “ The Cathedral isn’t my
city.” Fery said defiantly.
    “ It may not be, but it is,
superficially at least, your faith.” Tobin said assertively and
Fery turned her eyes down.
    “ Not for all of us.”
Declan said in an attempt to defend her.
    “ Master Rainway, your
faith is hardly something of my concern. In fact, I believe I have
it right here.” Tobin removed a purse from the sleeve of his
cassock. He held it in his palm as though he was testing its
weight. Apparently satisfied, he looked at Declan with emotionless
eyes and tossed the pouch to him. Declan let the purse hit him in
the shoulder and fall to the ground.
    Tobin blinked as a wry smile crept onto his
face, “A new master now, Declan?”
    “ I’ve always been my own.”
Declan said menacingly.
    “ Have you?” Tobin said
dismissive, “Your contract with us is fulfilled. If you choose, you
may walk way knowing that several powerful and rich persons in
Ardavass appreciate your service.”
    Goshen looked down at the purse, then up
into Declan’s face. Declan was stone glaring at Tobin. Goshen
whispered, “We wouldn’t think less of you.”
    Declan turned his head locking eyes with
Goshen and growled, “That’s a damnable thing for you to say to
me.”
    Goshen couldn’t help but smile. Fery was
looking up at the two the entire time. She picked up the purse and
put it in Declan’s hand.
    “ You earned it.” She
said
    Declan griped the purse and blushed a bit,
“I’m staying the course.”
    Tobin clapped breaking the mood,
“Delightful. Shall I continue?”
    “ Maybe with a bit more
directness.” Kira was staring into the coals. Her voice was eerily
distant.
    “ Sorry if you’re
finding…”
    “ Please, just...” Kira’s
eyes fluttered as she gestured for Tobin to go on.
    “ My nation is in the wrong
when it comes to Rikonen. Those like myself are an extreme
minority; however we have the ability to pull necessary
strings.”
    “ To end the siege?” Fery
asked.
    Tobin nodded, “The individual at the head of
this army, Matis, is a spoiled and angry young man. He is eager to
prove his mettle, and he believes a war on Essia is his
chance.”
    “ How is warring on the
whole of Essia going to end The Blockade?” Goshen
scoffed.
    “ Matis will never reach
Essia.”
    “ This army isn’t enough.
It’s not even enough to take Heveonen.” Fery said.
    “ We are aware.”
    “ What else are you aware
of?”
    “ This army is growing.
More and more Novosar arrive by the hour.”
    “ That still wouldn’t be
enough.”
    “ It would if The Cathedral
supplied its paladins