70. Aareth
SEVENTY
AARETH
“Last I heard, you were roaming the Outland, out for hire to the highest bidder. Then your name pops up with this Burrow Den nonsense. There were even rumors you died. Well, what is it now? Hero working for the Crown?”
“What do you think, Gunny?” Aareth brought the mug of beer to his lips and took a long gulp. “Do I strike you as the savior type?”
“You strike me as the dangerous type, Aareth.” Gunny stared at Aareth. “Say, what’s wrong with your eyes?”
“Would you believe me if I told you I was bitten by a genetically enhanced wolf, and now something I can’t even begin to explain is happening to me?
” Aareth asked, scanning the room for anyone that might be trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.
The Vixen Tavern was a seedy bar where the ale was cold and the customers even colder-hearted.
Aareth had been searching for hours. A tip told him a local muscle named Gunny had information on this “Order.” Luckily for Aareth, he and Gunny went way back.
“Genetically engineered wolf, huh?” Gunny repeated, spitting up beer into his massive beard. A laugh escaped his lips. “You always were a strange one, Aareth. Drop off the face of the planet, and now you’re back out of the blue, years later, talking about enhanced wolves.”
Aareth scanned the room again while Gunny spoke. They were sitting at a table in the far corner of the bar. It was quiet. The locals were just now getting off work. Only a few of the most dedicated to their craft lined the barstools.
“I need some information.” Aareth directed his attention back to Gunny. “Word on the street is you may have access to a group calling themselves The Order.”
“Nope, sorry, friend, can’t help you there.” The words were already coming out of Gunny’s mouth before Aareth finished. “You’ve heard wrong.”
“You’re a horrible liar.” Aareth reached into his pocket. His fist came back, holding a brown leather bag of coins. “I can make it worth your while.”
Gunny was now scanning the room to make sure no one else had heard the words come out of Aareth’s mouth. The man was a mountain of muscle, though in that moment, he looked like a terrified child.
“I don’t want your money.” Gunny placed his beer on the table. He stood to leave. “I have to be going.”
“I need your help here, Gunny.” Aareth caught the man’s thick wrist as he prepared to leave. “You’re a friend. I’d rather not have to insist on this, but I’m prepared to do whatever I have to do to get answers. What I’m after, it’s … it’s about Brenda.”
The mention of her ate at Aareth’s heart. He hadn’t spoken her name in years. He had pushed her memory as far from his mind as possible during his waking hours. It was only in his dreams where he relived the events of her death that he was haunted by her.
Gunny hesitated. The two men had come up together through the New Hope police ranks to reach the level of city inspector. Eventually, Aareth had gone his own way, as had Gunny.
The mad look in Aareth’s eyes must have been enough. Gunny heaved a sigh. He shook off Aareth’s hold on his wrist and retook his seat.
“Brenda, huh?” Gunny glanced nervously at the door of the bar and its other occupants. “She’s gone, Aareth. You need to let her go.”
“I know, I know that.” Aareth felt his pulse quicken in frustration. “It’s complicated. But if I can put her memory to rest for good, I need to know what you know about The Order. Who are they? A street gang?”
“Nothing like a street gang.” Gunny grabbed his beer mug. In one giant gulp, he drained the contents. A loud belch ensued. “Listen, I don’t know much, but I know enough not to get caught up with these guys. They’re dangerous, Aareth. They’re dangerous, like you and I, maybe worse.”
“I need to find them, Gunny.” Aareth leaned forward. His long, black hair fell from his ponytail to cover part of his face. “I need to know for sure.”
“You saw her body.” Gunny lowered his gaze. “We all did.”
“I saw her body,” Aareth agreed, pushing the hair from his line of sight. “More recently, I saw something that I can’t explain.”
Gunny looked solemnly at Aareth.
“Okay, I don’t know much, but I’ll tell you anyway.
The name started drifting around about two years ago.
Nobody really knew what The Order was back then.
It was talked about in whispers. It almost became a joke.
When someone went missing, we’d say, ‘The Order must have grabbed them.’ It was funny, until one day it wasn’t. ”
Gunny took a break to lean back in his chair. A moment of silence passed before he shook his head free from whatever sense of dread had given him pause.
Aareth knew Gunny well. He had been fearless during their time together as inspectors. Whatever it was that now made him afraid was something to be taken seriously.
“Urban legend became something real. Our nightmares grew legs and started walking among us. These people in masks started showing up. Metal masks. Most people who saw them didn’t live to talk about it. Word is, they’re a sect bent on taking over New Hope from the inside, but who really knows?”
“Where have they been sighted?” Aareth spoke so fast, his sentence sounded like one word. He was finally getting the answers he so desperately needed. “Any gang or sect needs manpower. Where do they recruit?”
“I would try to talk you out of it, if I thought there was any point to it.” Gunny ran a scarred hand over his bald head. “Rumors are, they hang out in the old manufacturing district. I heard they might be meeting tonight.”