Cursed City by C L Werner

Author:C L Werner
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2021-02-23T06:26:37+00:00

Chapter Eight

Blood continued to drip down the cobblestone steps outside the quayside office. The body lay crumpled against the closed door, its coat stained with gore. The head was turned, staring out towards the docks. There was no face, only a leering skull. The hallmark of Baron Grin’s crimes.

Radukar’s lips curled back in a sneer as he looked at the body. The militia were guarding the area, but even keeping them away from the scene couldn’t curb mortal curiosity. He could hear people creeping about, lingering at the periphery. Someone had seen the body before the Volkshaufen could keep others away, or one of the guards had been loquacious. Whatever had happened, Radukar knew the rumours were already spreading, racing through the slums more quickly than the refinery fire. Baron Grin wasn’t dead and he’d killed again.

This time the victim had been an exciseman. The killer had taken an extra moment to rip apart the ledger that was the tool of that profession. Nor had that been the only token of rebellion. Across the walls had been written revolutionary screeds. Calls to rise up and depose Radukar’s Thirsting Court.

The Wolf studied the carnage and felt his ire rising. The murders indeed had caused the cattle to become bold and to forget whose hand held the whip. They were seeking to force his hand before he was ready. Radukar still needed the misery of these people to feed his effort to harness the power of the Shyish Nadir. The flame of hope was one that would interfere with his plans, but he wasn’t completely confident he could exterminate the slums with impunity. He had to remember that there were others in Nagash’s realm interested in the power he sought. Any act on his part that smacked of weakness and those rivals might challenge him. Yes, the mortals would need a reminder of who was their master.

‘You see, eminence?’ Arno pointed at the corpse. ‘Baron Grin again. The other body wasn’t him. Or else he had an accomplice.’

‘This was done to frighten people,’ Radukar reminded Arno. ‘So the mortals need to be taught who they should fear most.’ He pointed to the surrounding buildings. ‘I want two hundred of this scum gathered up by the Volkshaufen. They will be marched to the docks and they will be scourged until the skin has been flayed from their bodies. Their blood will be collected then their flesh will be flensed from their bones and thrown into the bay for the sharks. Leave the bones in the street.’ The Wolf’s face spread in a grim smile ‘Perhaps the whelps of this filth could use some new playthings. A reminder that I can be magnanimous.’

‘It will be done,’ Arno assured his master. ‘I will ensure that the execution is well attended,’ he added, anticipating Radukar’s wishes. ‘They’ll be reminded of your authority.’

The Wolf nodded and looked back at the corpse. Radukar drew a deep breath, his body thrilling to the smell he drew into his nose. ‘This wasn’t the work of Baron Grin, though we are meant to think so.

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