In the Shadow of Kings (A Time of Dragons: Book 2) by Philip C. Quaintrell

Author:Philip C. Quaintrell [Quaintrell, Philip C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Quaintrell Publishings
Published: 2024-07-02T00:00:00+00:00

35

THE ONE AND ONLY

It was with the eyes of a ranger that the Kedradi scanned the streets of Thedaria. Through the last hours of the night and into the late morning, Cob had scoured The Stilts—or what was left of them. Aphrandhor’s particular flavour of destruction was easy to see. There wasn’t much else in the world, let alone the slums, that could wrought such damage.

Having abandoned The Stilts with a single scrap of information, the ranger had walked the streets of the city proper in search of the Padoshi’s premises.

“Carried ’em out, they did,” a young boy had told him in exchange for a few marks. “An old man and some fella.”

When probed as to who the men doing the carrying had been, the boy wouldn’t accept any amount of coin, his lips sealed on the matter. That alone informed Cob that the Padoshi was behind it all. There were none who would speak against him. As a result, he had failed to locate the crime lord’s home, for any mention of the man silenced all.

Infuriated and concerned for the wellbeing of his companions, the Kedradi eventually returned to The Broken Sabre. It was a cosy little tavern situated on a busy crossroads, its framework painted a calming green. Inside, he found Androma in the same booth he had left her in. The old Dragon Rider had insisted on accompanying him, if not going her own way to cover more ground. The idea had been quashed when Cob pointed out her lack of knowledge regarding Thedaria’s layout. Most reluctantly, she had agreed.

Sliding into the booth to face her, he offered a sigh by way of greeting.

“I thought you were a hunter first and foremost,” Androma commented, likely having identified him by his scent as much as his sigh.

Cob looked out the murky window beside the booth, hardly noticing the passersby while he considered what he really was first and foremost. Like so much else where his culture was concerned, it was not to be shared with outsiders, even ones he trusted.

“It’s hard to hunt a monster that leaves no tracks,” he replied gruffly.

“Have you tried the Leaf District?” Androma queried. “I hear it’s where all the highborns live. I imagine the Padoshi has quite the complex.”

“I tried,” Cob said. “Too many eyes. The Leaf District is under the watch of the homeguard,” he explained, having noted the soldiers on patrol in that area.

“I wouldn’t have thought that would be a problem for a Kedradi,” came a nasal voice, carried on notes of a commoner’s tone.

Cob turned to scrutinise the man standing beside their booth. His odour struck the ranger immediately, making him wonder how he had failed to detect the stranger the moment he entered the tavern.

Draped in a tattered grey cloak and attired in common, if stained, clothing, he stood with a confidence Cob rarely saw in any man, fearless almost. He hooked a few strands of scraggly grey hair behind one ear and gestured at the seat beside Androma.

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