Chapter 31
Thirty-One
We got out of the dock district fast as we could. This wasn’t the Latro’s territory, but the old man, Vilko, had done a lot of crime here in his youth, so he knew every back alley and side street to help us avoid witnesses and watchmen.
It was just me and the murderous Latros now.
I didn’t even have Trax to watch my back.
Even with a city that had dozens of different species living in it, Squalos stood out.
Being so noteworthy, we’d had no choice but to separate, so after thinking to him that we’d meet back at the Tube, he’d dove into the bay and swam off.
After half an hour of walking in what felt like circles, we ended up in an unfamiliar part of town full of industrial buildings. I was thoroughly lost, but Joran seemed to have a destination in mind.
As we made our way down a garbage strewn alley, I asked him, “What’s our next step?”
“I’m still deciding that.”
“I’ve been thinking and have an idea. Gaul Haddar tracked me down here in the Core because I was still wearing a charm that had been issued to me by my nobles. He’d enchanted that one for them.”
“And so?”
“When I fought Dathka in the arena, she had a really potent enchantment on her that let her go in one shadow and come out another. That’s got to be a high-level spell.
Whoever made it for her should be able to sense its presence, just like Haddar did to me.
If Gerzog’s got that on him now, the wizard who made it should be able to find it. ”
“Good thinking. Except it was given to her as a gift recently, after the wizard who made it died. You mages get used to thinking there’s an easy solution to everything. Snap your fingers, poof, magic does all the work.”
“Don’t pin that trogshit attitude on me, Cutter. I was an honest laborer my whole life.”
“Whatever. We’re going to have to do this the hard way. Shake some trees and see what falls out. What do you know about the Tempus Metum?”
I cringed at the thought of those freaks.
“I fought some of them in the undercity once. The Council and every civilized kingdom has banned them because they’re nuts.
” I didn’t add aloud that I’d learned the elf pirate who killed some of my family was probably related to the Tempus cult somehow, because that was none of Joran’s business. “Do you know how to find them?”
“Vaguely. When we talk, it’s through intermediaries.
” Our conversation continued as Joran turned us down another narrow alley.
Some of the little frog-faced people lived here, and hid in their trash piles as we passed by.
“The Latrocinium will parley with the Tempus Metum when we have something they want, or they’ve got something Carcalla wants. ”
I was aghast. “You trade with those freaks? They’re evil.”
“Many say the same about us Latros, except our so-called evil has kept peace and order in a place forsaken by our betters.”
To me, the Slumps were violent and lawless slums. “That’s peace?”
“Relatively. The Slumps would be a cannibal wasteland like the undercity if it wasn’t for us. Everyone with any sort of power has to deal with those we find unsavory to get by. Even the high and mighty Nexus Council in their castles in the sky are no different. We all do what we have to do.”
“The Council wants to keep the Great Machine turning. The Latrocinium wants to turn a profit. But Tempus Metum wants to unleash the most dangerous force ever known so it can invade the Core and conquer all the realms just like it did to Time. These things aren’t the same!”
Joran didn’t seem to like me pointing out that obvious flaw in his worldview. “That’s over my head. I leave the thinking to Carcalla. I’m just a simple gladiator.”
That was a load of trogshit, and we both knew it.
The alley brought us to a narrow, twisty street, and Joran stopped there to give orders to his crew.
“The heat’s probably died off enough. We’ll spilt up from here.
Staverton, go to the market and see if the Tempus cult there is willing to meet.
Vilkos, Rowley, and Lionel, hit up our sources around the waterfront and find out if anybody saw where Gerzog took Dathka.
Obson, you go update the boys keeping an eye on the other Outcasts about what happened and tell them they’re not in the clear yet. ”
His fixation on my friends was exasperating. “Leave my people be. You know we didn’t do anything wrong.”
“That’s likely, but I’m not a man easily convinced. Which is why you’re staying with me until you can look Carcalla in the eye and explain how you failed him so badly.”