Cloudswept

By John H. Carroll

Book 3 of the Wyvern Series

After banishment from Dralin and expulsion from the Blue Wyverns, Pelya Jornin is now an agent of the Cloudswept Bank charged with recovering valuables. The job allows her to travel the world while keeping her skills sharp. Past failures have led to a vow to travel alone so as not to endanger lives of those she cares about.

When the bank offers her an assignment to rescue one of the mysterious Rojuun, she jumps at the chance to learn more about them. Rumors of Rojuun attempts to enslave the human race have worried her since her first meeting with them in Dralin and more so since her failed mission in the mountains south of Swelth.

The mission takes her deep into the war torn country of Paruth where women aren’t allowed to wear swords and magic is forbidden. Signs of the Black Scale Guild appear, bringing further intrigue along with grave danger.

Calren has avoided mandatory conscription into his lord’s army for as long as possible, but time is up. Rather than join the endless and futile war, he packs his things and abandons the farm for a life of adventure. But Paruth isn’t the sort of kingdom where deserters are tolerated.

Verna, a Druid wilder than the forest she grew up in, needs to escape heartbreak. She skips down the road to learn more about humans and discover why they try so hard to kill each other.

Pelya seeks answers to events in her past that sent her life spinning. She fears what those answers may bring. More than anything, she worries about the fate of those who would attempt to be her friends. Will her actions get people killed yet again?

The Wyvern Series is a swords-and-sorcery series following the journeys of Pelya Jornin. After leaving Dralin, she travels the world searching out injustices and her own purpose in life. Along the way, she makes many friends and even more enemies.

• Language: English
• Publisher: John H. Carroll
• Release date: Jun 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370437337

John H. Carroll

John H. Carroll was the youngest of seven children and was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1970 where he was kept in a dresser drawer with the clean socks. Luckily, he wasn’t kept with the dirty socks or else he might have grown up to become slightly warped.As a child, John spent most of his time wandering through the Mojave Desert in an attempt to avoid people. He would stare at the sky, imagining what it would be like to explore different worlds. One of his favorite memories is watching his dad build the fuselage of Evel Kneivel’s skycycle in their garage. One of his least favorite moments was watching that skycycle fall into the Snake River. (Not his dad’s fault and he has documentation to prove it, so nyah)As a teenager, John spent most of his time driving wherever he could in an attempt to avoid people. He would stare at the road, imagining what it would be like to explore different worlds. He was the captain of the chess team, lettered in golf and band while in high school, and wasn’t beaten up anywhere near as much as one might imagine.As an adult, John spends most of his time staring at a computer screen in an attempt to avoid people. He stares at the monitor for hours, imagining what it would be like to explore different worlds. Occasionally, he looks around to see what’s happening on planet Earth. Quite frankly, it frightens him. He’s just going to do his best to write as many books as he can before aliens disintegrate humanity for being so irritating.Emo bunny minions surround John at most times. He is their imaginary friend and they look to him for guidance. At one point, they took over the world. No one noticed because they left everything exactly as it was. They gave the world back after a week because it was depressing.The Ryallon Series is his most popular endeavor into the field of writing. His Stories for Demented Children have lightened the hearts of many strange children and adults. He writes in the evenings and weekends whenever possible.

Book preview

Map of Nulanea

Map of Paruth

Chapter 1

Year 1393, Fifth Age

Being five months after the events of Liquid.

Pelya steadied her breathing in order to calm anxiety that threatened to scatter her focus. Humidity in the passage grew moss on the stone and the smell of it tickled her nose.

The complex lock was taking longer to pick than Pelya liked. Sweat-soaked strands of jet-black hair cascading around her face blocked her vision. She refused to cut it or put it in a braid as she had done in the past. The hindrance was irrelevant, as was the flickering light of enchanted torchlight from the hallway behind. She needed the sense of touch, not sight in this instance.

Four enchanted picks pressed against tumblers through the keyhole. She needed a fifth, but there was no room for it. Their magic kept them steady when Pelya’s gloved hand twitched from concentrated effort. The uppermost pick had three prongs on it. It should work if she could just manage to press . . . The lock gave a satisfying click of success.

Pelya returned the oft-used picks to their worn leather pouch. After rolling the pouch up, she put it into a secret pocket inside her form-fitting black tunic. Mystic silver thread covered both the tunic and her dark-blue pants, providing powerful protections against physical and magical threats. They were necessary considering she was breaking into a treasure room below a wizard’s tower.

A quick scan showed the hallway behind her to be empty other than the pit trap in the center of the floor. Pelya stretched her cramped legs, shook her feet, and adjusted the chain-reinforced leather sword belt around her waist. Pouches hung from it with items to help her in her mission. She was a master with the pair of enchanted swords that rested in sheaths at her hips. Hopefully, those wouldn’t be necessary since her contract required she not kill the wizard whose tower she was breaking into.

Even though she was picking locks and evading traps, Pelya wasn’t a thief. The owner of the tower had stolen a shipment of potent wizards’ staffs headed from Dralin to Juragdat in the Kingdom of Inizor. The Cloudswept Bank provided insurance to the merchant shipping them. If the staffs weren’t recovered, the bank would have to pay out a large sum in compensation.

That was where agents like her came in. They recovered stolen goods, saving the bank a great deal of money. Pelya’s fee would negate any profit the bank might have made off the insurance, but that was better than covering the entire cost. It was in everyone’s best interest if the shipment reached its intended destination.

Pelya peered into the bottom of the pit where the remains of the previous agent rested uncomfortably on sharp spikes. Judging by the wounds, it had taken him a while to die. She wondered if the wizard had stripped his gear before or after the man had succumbed to his wounds.

A small pile of dust at her feet was all that was left of the runeball that had enabled her to see and disarm two enchanted traps on the door. That had been her last trap-finding runeball. Ebudae, her best friend growing up in Dralin, had made it along with various other runeballs. Pelya had a request with the bank to either replace them or find her a new device that would do the same job. Her expenses were part of the fee she charged.

She couldn’t waste any more time. After drawing her secondary sword, she hunched low, cracked the door open, and looked into the room.

No lights shone from inside. The crack allowed light from the hall to enter, which wasn’t enough to see, but would allow anything inside to see her.

This was when her job was most dangerous. Every option available to her had risks that could get her killed. At least she was alone and wouldn’t be the cause of anyone else’s death.

Pelya flung open the door and darted inside to the left. Her first thought was gratitude the floor didn’t open into another pit trap.

Torches in brackets on the walls of the circular treasure room sprang to life, sputtering with enchanted flame. Long crates made to hold staffs were stacked on the right side of the room. There should be eighteen of them. Other crates lined the walls along with a full bookshelf, numerous bags and assorted items on shelves.

Pelya’s next thought was consternation at the golem standing in the middle of the treasure room. Crystalline black gems in the eye sockets glowed with enchantment from a head made up of molded rock pieces. Its body consisted of two large stones for the torso and two for each limb. Rocks for the hands and feet mimicked a human’s shape.

To her dismay, it noticed her.

A voice like rolling boulders emitted from it. Password.

Pelya hated passwords. She guessed, Carnivorous fairy.

Not password. Intruder die. It rumbled toward her.

Pelya drew her primary sword as she dashed to the side. Intruder die is a terrible password.

Joints glowed with red light when it moved. Each thudding step the golem took shook dust from the mortar. It moved faster than Pelya anticipated. It also showed intelligence in the course it took to intercept.

She reversed direction just before it reached her. Shall we dance?

The golem skidded to a halt and swung its fist where she had been. Had it connected, it would have crushed Pelya’s skull.

Pelya slashed at its arm with her primary sword. It took a chunk out of the rock with a clang, but did no real damage. That was a worrisome outcome considering the level of enchantment in the blade. Runes flashed on the golem’s arm, indicating mystical protection.

It attempted to backhand her with the arm.

Pelya rolled backward, jumped to her feet, and dashed to the other side of the circular room. You don’t laugh at my jokes, you don’t want to dance. You’re a very rude host. She shoved her primary sword into its sheath and grabbed a statuette from a shelf. With a twirl, she tossed it in an attempt to distract the golem. She dashed the opposite direction.

The golem altered his chase to snatch the statuette out of the air. It put it back on the shelf with gentleness belying its size and make.

It was a better distraction than Pelya had hoped for. She pulled a runeball out of one of her pouches. There was only one more of its type after this, another one she needed to replace.

The golem stomped toward her.

Catch! Pelya tossed the runeball at it and said the activation word.

The golem snatched the runeball out of the air. It skidded to a halt and opened its hand to look at it.

The runeball had already begun its magic. Pelya watched with fascination as it disintegrated into liquid that melted the golem’s hand. From there, it traveled up the arm. Runes in the stone popped and sizzled as the toxic liquid streamed to the stone of its torso. The effects slowed significantly. Drops of melted stone splatted to the floor.

The golem stared at its melting body. The effects were beyond its instructions on how to react.

Pelya slid her secondary sword into its sheath. You’re falling to pieces, golem boy.

It looked at her. Slurred words emitted from it. Passwerrll . . . intrugg. Enchantments holding it together gave out. The remaining stones crumbled to the ground with impacts that echoed in the vault.

The runeball continued to liquidate them at a slower pace.

Tsk. I’d hate to be the one who has to mop up that mess. Pelya raked her hair back and dashed to the door. She was alone. The pit was an issue though. She had to carry out eighteen crates. Maybe being alone wasn’t such a good idea. There was still the issue of the wizard. Most constructs like the golem had a focus that would alert its maker. If that was the case, she wouldn’t be alone for long.

Carefully avoiding the puddled golem, Pelya went to the crates and counted. There were eighteen, just as reported. She took a scroll out of a protective pouch. On it was a list of the stamps on each end of the crates. Different wizards had made each staff to sell. A broker had arranged the sale to a merchant in Juragdat. Pelya took the time to make certain each mark matched. A wizard’s staff was a valuable device only the wealthiest archmages could afford. Her fee for the recovery wouldn’t cover the cost of one.

What did you do to the master’s servant?!

Pelya mentally cursed herself for the lapse in awareness. I gave it a bath. In an instant, she was on her feet with both swords drawn. The scroll fell to the ground. Who knew stone melted when you washed it?

There was only one man, a bodyguard by the looks of his custom sword and armor. You’re a thief!

"I am not. What an appalling accusation."

A wizard in his night robe burst into the room, shoving the bodyguard aside. A thief?! In my vault?

"I just explained that I’m not a thief. Pelya held her chin high. Weren’t you listening?"

The wizard’s face was ruddy with outrage. Just who are you and how did you get in here?

The grey puddle on the ground caught his attention. The spell had run its course. Pieces of stone stuck up from it, including the top of the head with the crystal black eyes staring up at its maker as though confused by what had just happened.

"And what did you do to my pet?"

My name is Jerald, I came in through a hole in the wall and I gave your pet a bath. Pelya indicated the puddle with her sword. I think it’s allergic to water. You might want to look into that.

The wizard’s finger shook in rage as he pointed it at Pelya. Kill him!

The bodyguard frowned. I thought she . . . he was a girl, boss.

The wizard held his arms out in disbelief. I don’t care. Girl . . . boy . . . Just kill whoever it is!

Right. The bodyguard drew his sword.

Pelya met it with her secondary before he could bring it into position. With the flat of her primary, she slapped him in the face. At the same time, she tripped him.

The bodyguard hit the ground hard, bounced once and fell unconscious. His sword clattered to the ground.

Pelya looked down at him. Wow. I would think a wizard’s bodyguard would have more skill.

The wizard shrieked in outrage, You killed him!

No I didn’t. Pelya rested her primary sword over her shoulder and put the fist holding her secondary on her hip. You’re making a lot of unfounded accusations. I don’t appreciate it. It’s rude.

Rude? The wizard sputtered, his face redder than before.

Yes, rude. She shook her head. I’m not feeling welcome here.

You . . . I . . . Of course you’re not welcome here!

Pelya slammed her swords into their sheaths. Oh, well just come right out and say it. Now I know how you really feel!

He pointed accusingly at her. There is something wrong with you . . . you . . . whatever your name is.

Pelya crossed her arms. Name’s Gilbert. Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to point?

I thought you said your name was Jerald. The wizard frowned suspiciously.

Well if you know my name, why did you ask? Pelya threw a hand up in exasperation. She reached into a pouch with the other.

The wizard noticed her hand going to the pouch. He stepped back to cast a spell.

Pelya acted fast. If he gathered much energy, she could kill them all with backlash by interrupting the spell. She yanked the runeball out of the pouch and threw it at him, saying the activation word at the same time.

It hit him in the face and exploded into powder. Fear widened his eyes as he inhaled while speaking the incantation. The powder put him to sleep instantly.

Pelya dropped to the floor and curled in a ball.

The energy of the unfinished spell crackled and hissed, but it hadn’t formed enough to create an explosion. The wizard fell limply, his head bouncing once. The sleep spell in the runeball would keep him asleep for five or six hours. The concussion might add a few to that along with a headache.

Pelya sprang to her feet. She checked the bodyguard. He had a concussion and possibly a broken cheek. At least he was alive. She reached into another pouch and pulled out a tiny sachet of sleeping powder. Carefully, she dabbed some on her finger and placed it on his mustache. The small amounts he breathed would keep him asleep for about as long as the wizard. She dragged him away from the door and made him as comfortable as possible. She wiped the rest of the dust off her gloved finger onto his pant leg.

Her contract imposed a severe penalty for killing anyone. The bank wished to acquire a respectable reputation in its dealings. It made it easier to gain contracts and to deal with kingdoms that frowned on murder and vigilantism.

The pit in the hallway needed to be covered so she could move the staffs out. There didn’t appear to be anything in the treasure room that could help her. She went to the door only to discover a plank already placed across it. That solved that problem, though it irritated her that she hadn’t heard them do so.

Pelya went back to the crates to recover her inventory scroll. On the back of it were enchantments to open two of the crates. The makers of the others hadn’t given access to the bank.

It took her a few minutes to get those crates out of the stack. Carefully performing the enchantments, she opened them one at a time. To her relief, the staffs were inside. One was made of entwined wood with gems and crystals bracketed to store and channel magic. Even without the enchantments in the staff, it was valuable. The other was a metal shaft with three orbs of power at the top in semi-circle brackets. It looked powerful. She closed and resealed them. It was sufficient evidence all staffs should be within the crates.

Pelya checked over the wizard and bodyguard again. They were both sound asleep. The wizard snored peacefully.

There was no time to waste. They would wake up eventually. She wanted to put distance between her and the tower before they did.

She grabbed the first crate and carried it down the hall and up a set of stairs. Once at the top, she traveled along another hallway to a door she had come through. Beyond it was a room with a hole of melted stone in the outside wall, the result of another of the runeballs that had destroyed the golem.

Pelya took the crate out into the night air. Both moons shone bright between wispy brushes of clouds over the road leading to the tower. Blue-green Siahray was half-full in its waning cycle while red Piohray was half-full in its waxing. Together, they cast a lavender glow over the landscape. Pelya put her fingers in her mouth and whistled loudly. Then she went back to get another crate.

By the time she got back with the second, she heard and saw two horses and a cart coming up the road in the moonlight. She put the crate down and looked around. The tower was situated on the side of a hill in the rolling plains of Obda. The wizard had no neighbors. The road was little traveled and rough, but wouldn’t be hard to travel in the night.

Honey, her beautiful chestnut warhorse with blonde mane, glared at her. Tied to a rope behind her was a sturdy mare pulling a skinny cart on two wheels.

Yes, I know you don’t pull carts and that you don’t even like pulling horses that do. Pelya put a crate in the back of the cart.

Honey snorted. She flicked her tail and hit Pelya as she walked back by.

Hey! Don’t be like that. You know I love you. Pelya tried to hug her neck, but Honey turned her head away and stepped aside.

Wow. I’m feeling unappreciated today. Pelya pulled an apple out of a pouch and held it up.

Honey kept her head turned to the side, though she eyed the apple as if considering.

Pelya set it on the ground. Well, if you change your mind, it’ll be right here. She got the mare a bag of feed to keep her docile, though Honey seemed to have matters in hand . . . or hoof. I have to get the rest of those crates. She patted Honey’s rump.

Honey snorted.

It took two hours to get the wagon loaded and the crates tied down. In that time, Honey ate the apple and stopped glaring at Pelya.

Pelya wiped sweat from her forehead with the sleeve of her arm before taking her gloves off and putting them in her swordbelt. She unhooked the mare’s lead from Honey’s pommel. There, all done.

Honey was unimpressed.

Pelya climbed into the wagon’s seat and attached Honey’s lead to the side of it.

Honey was less impressed.

I know. You’re a warhorse and I should be riding you. We just need to get this wagon to the Cloudswept Bank in Anukarda. They can take it after that. She released the brake and flipped the reins.

The steady mare pulled the cart down the road with no complaint.

Honey refused to discuss the matter further.

Chapter 2

Pelya flopped down in a comfortable chair opposite the banker’s large desk. She ran her hands along the leather arm of the seat. All of your banks have the most comfortable chairs I’ve ever sat in. I feel like a princess. She kicked her feet up on the corner of the desk and leaned back. And your office has more expensive trinkets than a pricy love den in the heart of the Orange Sash District.

Master Leiger wiggled his rotund behind into his own seat. With a lace hanky, he dabbed at an offending drop of sweat that threatened to mar his powdered forehead. Perhaps your highness could remove your feet from my desk? It’s made of the finest molgen wood.

Ha! I’m not really a princess. Pelya dropped her feet to the ground. I just act like one. She burped. Have your people finished the inspection of the staffs?

The banker’s plump lips twisted into a resigned smile. Yes. Everything is in order. However, we haven’t been able to verify the thief survived yet.

I’ve only killed someone once in the course of my work for you and I conveyed the matter honestly. Pelya tried not to be irritated. It was standard procedure to verify specifics of a mission. You have my detailed and precise report, as always. I even drew a cute little emo bunny in the corner of the front page. Now, what mission do you have for me next?

Master Leiger’s jowls bounced as he nodded. You’ll receive full payment based on your report. The Cloudswept bank appreciates the precise details you give. It makes you a favorite agent in addition to your wide range of skills, of which drawing is not one. Your emo bunny looked more like a fat carnivorous fairy.

Pelya chuckled at the true statement.

He pulled papers out of a drawer. We have a few important missions available. He set the papers in front of her. As usual, basic details are in the text of the letter. Payment is to be negotiated within the guidelines of your ability level.

There were four papers. Pelya set them out on the desk and leaned forward to study them. One she set aside because it would take her to the Kingdom of Swelth. Her last experience in that country had been a mission with the Blue Wyverns where her apprentice had died.

Master Leiger put the paper back in the drawer. Would you care for a drink?

A glass of wine please. She set aside a second one. It would take her far away to the Kingdom of Mayncal. That would require months of travel and prevent her from seeing the rest of the northern kingdoms.

A glass wine appeared in front of her. Your profile states that you prefer chilled blush. This is from the Zanoir Valley, a bit fruity for my liking, but excellent nonetheless.

Thank you. It was both disturbing and satisfying that the bank knew so much about her. On one hand, she didn’t like anyone prying into her life. On the other, having her preferred wine ready was a divine luxury.

The next one had potential. It was a rescue job from a castle in Paruth. The war-torn country held some curiosity for her. A friend, Uma, from her recruit days with the Blue Wyverns was from Paruth. Uma always had an odd phrase of wisdom that made no sense to anyone but her. Stories of the kingdom’s poverty and never-ending wars were too fantastic to believe.

The fourth assignment was the recovery of an artifact stolen from the Kingdom of Kethril. Artifact thefts always interested her. What can you tell me about this task?

Master Leiger looked up from his bookkeeping and glanced at the paper. The Sacred Bucket of Milk has been stolen from a temple of Telemooo, that’s the Cow Goddess in case you were wondering. It’s been missing for a long time and they’re getting desperate.

One of the Crazed Gods. I’ve had bad experiences dealing with them. Pelya tossed the paper aside and picked up the Paruth mission. Let’s have the details on this one.

He stood to retrieve a file from a cabinet of drawers behind his desk. I’m glad you asked about this one. It’s is the job the bank wishes you to take. It pays well.

I don’t really need money. I like the challenge more than anything. Pelya winked. That doesn’t mean I’m going to refuse the pay of course.

Of course. Master Leiger laid the thick file in front of Pelya. There are numerous complications though, and the biggest is you.

Well that’s rude. She flipped through the file. Upon seeing the description of the captive, her blood froze.

You have history with the Rojuun. It’s unclear whether you would be willing to rescue one. He drummed his fingers on the desk.

The Rojuun are attempting to enslave all of humanity. Every piece of information indicates it’s true. I’ve seen Rojuun work with human slavers. I’ve read reports stating human prisoners of war are turned over to Rojuun as slaves. Anger rose, causing Pelya’s face to heat and her hands to shake. A faction of Rojuun working with humans ambushed and slaughtered an entire unit of Blue Wyverns, killing hundreds of innocents in the process. My last mission with the Blue Wyverns was to investigate that ambush. It led me into the depths of mountain caverns where my apprentice died.

It is our understanding that the Rojuun who engaged in the ambush were part of a faction from the Ninua Mountains, correct?

Pelya placed both hands on the desk. She slowly came to her feet, resisting the urge to leap over the desk and strangle the banker. Tell me everything you know. Do not toy with me.

Master Leiger pulled at his collar. Sweat beaded on his forehead. I will. Please sit.

With effort, Pelya returned to her seat.

The Cloudswept Bank has attempted to establish branches in the Kingdom of Paruth. However, we have been rebuffed at every turn. We have reason to believe a faction of Rojuun from the Ninua Mountains has gained a hold in Paruth and is instrumental in keeping us from the country.

Why would they care about the Cloudswept Bank?

They’ve stolen numerous artifacts. Countless millions of gold pieces worth of insurance money is at stake. It’s a terrible blow to the bank and could cripple us. He stared up at the ceiling. Getting the artifacts back once they’re secure in the Ninua Mountains is impossible. Paruth borders the northern face of the range. It’s been our hope to establish a foothold in the kingdom, and from there, recover the missing items.

Pelya sipped her wine. The Ninua Faction is actually the Yuuaajj Faction. They went renegade in the Ninua Mountains and no one knows why.

The statement caused Master Leiger to jolt in surprise. How did you know that?

I have history with Rojuun as you mentioned. That just happens to be one of the very few things I know. Pelya gestured for him to continue. Tell me about this Rojuun you want me to rescue.

His name is Rruum Tarrrii. Master Leiger tapped the paper with the Rojuun’s name on it. We believe the Yuuaajj Faction is responsible for his abduction. We know he succeeded in discovering information. However, he disappeared before he could return with it. Master Leiger rested his hands on his stomach. The five agents we’ve sent to recover him thus far have disappeared as well. Word reached me just yesterday that you have been requested despite great reservations among the management of the bank.

It sounds as though the bank is going to extreme measures to rescue this Rojuun.

The two messages we received from him confirm the presence of the Yuuaajj Faction. They also hint at the events under the Ninua Mountains that turned them away from their own kind.

Well that’s interesting. Pelya flipped through more of the papers while listening. This Rruum Tarrrii, Pelya did her best to roll the r’s, is an agent for the bank, isn’t he?

Yes, we have a few Rojuun agents. We also insure a number of items for the Rojuun. Master Leiger leaned forward. Rojuun are best for delving into the depths of the world where humans would have difficulty surviving. It is the policy of the bank to expand to all areas of the world. He put a reassuring hand on the desk. Please understand that at no point do we ever fund slavery, human or Rojuun.

I see. Pelya jumped to her feet and paced back and forth. She didn’t like the idea that the bank served Rojuun customers. You hid this fact from me.

The Cloudswept Bank keeps all of its information confidential, as you know. We only share what is necessary to accomplish missions. He waggled his finger at Pelya. This wasn’t an attempt to hide information from you. It’s a matter of policy.

A very convenient policy since you know I don’t approve of Rojuun.

The bank doesn’t need your approval.

No, but the bank does need me to rescue one of the Rojuun.

Master Leiger didn’t have a response for that.

Pelya folded her arms. In addition to my normal payment and expenses, I want to be paid in information. I want to know what Rruum Tarrrii discovered about the theft of the artifacts, I want to know everything he can tell me about the Rojuun, and I want to know about the humans that are allied with the Yuuaajj Faction in the Ninua Mountains.

Master Leiger blew a puff of breath that shook his jowls. It was surmised you might make such a request. We will agree to that, except where the information is sensitive to bank confidentiality and not related to your interests. I will give you a coded message to give to Rruum Tarrrii to that effect. Only he will be able to read it.

Do you have a place for me to start the search? Shall I just roam the kingdom calling his name? Pelya plopped down in the chair. Sending me into the mountains is a bad idea. I didn’t do so well in tunnels my last time there. I’m not a survivalist. My specialties are recovery and cities.

The small bits of information we’ve received from agents lead us to believe he’s imprisoned in the city of Riell.

Pelya pulled a small map of Paruth out of the file and traced the roads until finding the city. Riell is in the south central part of the kingdom.

Yes. Duke Riell is one of King Fhafteer’s most trusted lords. The dungeons under Riell Castle are inescapable and that’s likely where Rruum Tarrrii is hidden.

The Duke of Riell named the city after himself?

Master Leiger flicked his fingers. Most cities of Paruth are named after the noble families that own them.

How humble of them. Pelya smirked. "How do I get in? Shall I just knock on the castle door? I’m perfectly willing to do so, of course. Perhaps I can search the castle to see if there are secret passages to explore. That would be so exciting."

He raised a bemused eyebrow. There is no information about secret passages. Other alternatives for investigation are available. He pointed at the file. There are merchants we believe have ties to the Yuuaajj Faction. It would be easier to infiltrate their locations. You could disguise yourself as a servant to one of the merchants who deliver goods and services to the castle.

Pelya made a face. I’m a horrible servant. If anyone asks me to clean or cook, I’ll be exposed immediately.

Well, you could disguise yourself as a noble. He was unable to hide a doubtful expression. I don’t think you’d be any more successful at that.

Are you trying to say I’m not a lady? Pelya slammed her fist on the desk and made an ugly face while loudly clearing her throat.

No . . . Not at all . . .

Pelya laughed. Ha! Like I could behave myself around nobility. I’d probably stab half of them on accident.

On accident?

Well sure. I wouldn’t do that sort of thing on purpose. She winked at him. Nobles tend to oppress people who aren’t nobles. That sort of thing makes me stabby.

Stabby . . . Master Leiger’s forehead crinkled.

Should I ride on a boat to get there? Pelya jumped to her feet.

Ummm . . . Master Leiger turned in his chair when she went around the desk and behind him.

Pelya stood in front of a tapestry of ships on an ocean. I’ve never been on a boat. I was hoping to experience it.

No? I would have thought otherwise, though there’s no mention of it in your file.

Until arriving in Anukarda, I’d never seen the ocean. All of my adventures have been on land. Pelya tossed back the last of her wine. Perhaps I’ll take a boat to the main port of Paruth. I can pose as a noble who’s sailed from Altordan to visit the quaint rural country. Nobody takes Altordanian nobles seriously, but they’re all fantastically rich. Just ask anyone.

Most Altordanian nobles have more debt than sense.

Fine, ask anyone but you. Pelya stuck her tongue out at him. On my way, I’ll dance with the king in Aveen. He’ll be so enamored with my grace and courtly dignity that he’ll have the Rojuun brought from Riell as a gift to me.

Oh . . . well, that sounds like a brilliant plan. Master Leiger’s pained expression indicated he didn’t know whether or not to take her seriously.

It’s the most brilliantist plan ever created. Foolproof. There’s no way it could go wrong. Pelya gave him a winning smile.

He coughed. Yes . . . brilliantist.

I’m glad you understand. Pelya patted his head and returned to her seat. So what else can you tell me?

Don’t call them boats. It offends the sailors. They’re ships.

Good to know. But, I meant about the assignment.

Getting into the country will be fastest by ship, but you’ll have to sacrifice your weapons upon entry. Women aren’t allowed to have weapons in Paruth.

If they attempt to relieve me of my weapons or arrest me, I’ll dissuade them of the notion.

Master Leiger pulled at his collar in discomfort at the implication. We’d prefer to avoid bloodshed.

Of course, silly. Fortunately there’s no blood involved when drowning someone. She winked, which made the banker even more uncomfortable. It’d probably be just as fast to go directly through Paruth. Isn’t the Nizon River between Obda and Paruth? How would I get past that?

Paruth is an unpleasant place. You will be rejected in every town and village you enter.

Tell me, Master Leiger, what good is exploring the world if one does not actually explore the world? Pelya took the liberty of refilling her wine. I was banished from Dralin, kicked out of the Blue Wyverns and left all alone in a big, cruel, mean, and generally icky world. She gestured with the wine glass. I became an agent for the bank because it gives me work and challenges while I muck about from country to country. It’s a fascinating world. I wish to see more of it. I can’t very well do that if I avoid going places where they don’t like girls. Pelya pointed at him with her cup. I’ve found that girls aren’t appreciated most places, especially if they have opinions, or even worse, personalities.

I suppose. Master Leiger grunted. Travel in the manner you desire. Please, take your time to go through the file. Once you’re done, let me know if you wish to take the job. He went back to his bookkeeping.

She proceeded to examine all the papers in detail. At the end of an hour, she was confident in her knowledge of the task. Pelya put the papers back in the file. Have you had a chance to go through my expenses from the last job?

The banker set his quill down from the letter he was writing. You use very expensive items of magic. The runeballs made by Lady Ebudae Pallon aren’t replaceable.

I understand that. Pelya slumped in the chair. I’m good even without the aid of magical items, but it does help me get the job done efficiently, unlike the person you sent before me to recover the staffs.

Yes. We weren’t happy to hear about that. Master Leiger stood with a groan. He stretched his legs and one of his knees popped. However, we do have items that will serve you well. The bookshelf behind his desk had numerous small chests in