Keep of Shadows

By S.J. Saunders

Still grappling with the darkness they encountered on Nisaim, Jack, Tanner, Allie, and their new friend Gefnar are merely seeking a moment of peace back in the safety of Dragon's Nest. But the band's alliance of happenstance is solidified when an ancient face of evil imparts them with a dangerous task.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Riverbank Publishing
• Release date: Apr 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9781087938080

S.J. Saunders

A star was born on the day S. J. Saunders first entered this world. I mean, statistically speaking, it must have been, right? The universe is a big place. Pointless supposition aside, Saunders enjoys both the absorbing and the constituting of stories, activities that take up much of his life in the rather boringly-shaped land of Oregon. A particular woman appears to find his close proximity none too objectionable, and so they reside together in a marital fashion. No offspring and/or dependent creatures..

Book preview

Contracts and Invitations

Allie let her mind fully explore her distaste for the large man across the desk, finding each tangent delightfully extensive. From Guard Captain Fylak’s questionable decorating choices all around her (usually involving the remains of some animal or another), to the ridiculous enormity of his lacquered, darkwood desk, to the look of superior disdain on his gruff, bearded face as he took in Allie and her companions, Allie thought it would be a near-impossible task to think of something positive to say about the man in th at moment.

And not being involved in allowing an army of scalies into the city to ransack the temple doesn’t count, she thought darkly, recalling the illustrious, incarcerated mayor of Dragon’s Nest. People shouldn’t get credit for not being power-hungry idiots.

Look, Fylak growled, leaning forward in his high-backed chair, I’m sure you all killed a crocblood or two, and you’re so very proud of it, but the fact is, if this Gareech has brought together the combined forces of crocbloods, goblins, and lizardkin to help avenge the death of his brother, dropping a dozen or so isn’t exactly going to make a difference, and I’m not going to pretend like it does just to spare your fragile egos.

Allie glanced to her left, noting the tight pucker on the face of the dark-haired woman beside her. It hadn’t been hard to catch Fylak’s tone of blame at the mention of Baskug, the dead chieftain Jack had dropped with her deadly arrows before the crocblood had been able to kill the double-crossing Dunaxos, the town’s former mayor.

I don’t regret my actions, Jack said slowly, her voice admirably cool as she leveled her hard stare on Fylak. And we didn’t come here to brag.

Yeah, said the blue-eyed boy to Jack’s other side his lip curled in obvious disgust as he glared at the guard captain. So, instead of treating us like children, how about you thank us for making sure you’re informed about a threat to the town so you can actually do your job?

Surprisingly, Fylak didn’t shoot out of his chair, leap across the desk, and slam Tanner’s face into the wood slats of the floor. Instead, he simply cocked a bushy eyebrow and gave a grating sigh. "Look, I get that you’re just trying to do your duty here, but what more would you have me do? Even with bringing half-breeds into the ranks of the town guard, we’re still woefully undermanned after the last attack. I have my people pulling far too many patrols, and morale is still threadbare in the barracks. I can’t exactly afford to rally what pitiful forces we have and mount an assault against Gareech in the marshlands just so you three can sleep better at night. Even if we weren’t slaughtered outright, the cost would be far too high, and Dragon’s Nest would be left defenseless."

We’re not asking for any of that, said Jack, her voice as strained as Allie had ever heard it. We just thought you should know what you’re up against.

Fylak grunted, leaning back in his chair. "Fair enough. Now that I do know, I suppose our business is concluded."

Allie again looked over to Tanner, witnessing the moment he physically bit back his next tirade. He’d freely shared his thoughts on Fylak the night before over dinner at The Iron Ladle, following a short chat with Atrisar, barmaid at the Ladle and Fylak’s indentured servant.

Even before Tanner had growled out his feelings toward the guard captain, Allie had been able to sense Atrisar’s growingly reserved bearing…as well as the fresh bruise on her wrist.

I suppose it is, said Allie before Tanner could dredge up the courage to broach the topic. Now’s probably not the best time…

With a forced smile toward Fylak, she spun on her heel, leading Tanner and Jack back out the estate’s main door, the other woman’s young wolf keeping pace at Jack’s side.

Proper bastard, Tanner muttered slamming the large door shut behind them as they emerged onto the stony streets of Dragon’s Nest, the bluff rising off to their left to boast the marble pillars and vaunted dome of the temple of Nomenkal.

Indeed, said a voice from nearby. As one, they all turned to take in the smirking tigerkin woman who leaned against the wall by the doorway. I suppose this would be a proper time to ask if you’re willing to help me rob the man, then?

Allie’s fists clenched at her sides as she took in Nelina’s unapologetically arrogant stance, accentuated by her fine clothing and immaculate orange and white fur. Even after the tigerkin had safely transported them to and from the nearby island of Nisaim on a mission to deal with the island’s captain, Lenmoir, Allie still found herself unable to trust the woman on any level. This was partly because of Nelina’s shady speech and bearing, but also was based on the tigerkin’s reluctance to reveal anything about what seemed to be her many employers…and the fact that she’d been the one to deal the killing blow against Lenmoir, an espoused friend, of sorts.

When Allie, Jack, and Tanner seemed reluctant to respond, Nelina sighed. All I ask for is the completion of our deal, which, if I remember correctly, involved me delivering you to Nisaim and securing an audience with Lenmoir, and that you, in return, would impart to me the key in your possession that would grant me access to Fylak’s personal safe. Am I wrong?

She wasn’t.

So, Nelina pressed, pushing off from the wall and walking toward them when they all remained silent a moment longer, I’m really not one to press an issue beyond what is comfortable, but my contract with my employer dictates that I be on my way shortly, and it would cause a great deal of embarrassment on my part if I were to return to my employer without the item in Fylak’s possession.

How awful, Allie mumbled, brushing her short blond hair from her eyes as she turned to Tanner and Jack. She quickly scanned their faces for gut reactions, simultaneously trying to convey a pointed question.

The key Nelina wanted was currently tucked away in one of Allie’s many pockets.

We…have to go and get it, Jack said with a tight smile at the tigerkin.

Yeah, said Tanner. Why don’t you, uh…head to the Ladle, and we’ll bring it to you there?

Nelina gave a full grin and bow. That would be simply lovely.

* * *

Barely a half hour later, Jack strode with Allie and Tanner into the Ladle, casting a friendly nod toward the inn’s middle-aged proprietor, Sally Wythers, behind the bar.

The older woman offered up a warm smile, returning pointedly to her work when she saw Jack and the others begin moving toward Nelina, the tigerkin seated at a table in the very back of the dull, mid-morning tavern area.

So glad you all could make it, Nelina said with a smirk as they all drew near.

We keep our word, said Jack as Allie smoothly produced the key from beneath her cloak. Despite herself, Jack found herself scrutinizing the key in the heartbeat between appearing and then vanishing in Nelina’s furry grasp. She felt a small surge of relief upon noting that the key was perfectly pristine. Not a bit of wax in sight.

In the time between departing from Nelina outside Fylak’s home and arriving at the Ladle, the three of them had quickly gone to Tanner’s home, located a lump of molding wax, and made a quick impression of the key…under the questioning eye of Tanner’s adoptive father, Kurtis, the whole time.

It’s…probably best if you don’t know anything, had been Tanner’s only explanation.

Kurtis, a hefty bearkin, had simply grunted, wiping spittle from his mouth as he’d returned to his anvil and glowing furnace. I believe you.

Excellent, said Nelina, brining Jack back to the present. Now, if our business is concluded.

Not quite, said Tanner, producing a roll of parchment and quill as he took a seat across from the tigerkin. Now, we know that you’re planning to relieve Fylak of some book or another pertaining to elves.

Nelina cocked an amused eyebrow, sinking back into her chair. Yes…

Tanner gave a very political smile. Perfect. So, just so as we’re all clear on everything, we’ll be needing a look at whatever you find.

The tigerkin merely shrugged. It would hardly violate the terms of my contract.

Yeah…about that, said Tanner, dipping his quill into an inkwell he hastily slipped onto the table’s surface and beginning to scribble away on his parchment, we’re gonna have to have you sign a new one. Wouldn’t want you reneging on our new deal.

I see, Nelina said with a chuckle, glancing to Jack and Allie. And your recourse if I fail to uphold this new deal?

An anonymous tip to Fylak about who’s responsible for his missing property, Jack said with a pleasant smile.

Don’t worry, though, Allie added with a shrug. I’m sure a level-headed person like Fylak wouldn’t possibly hunt someone who stole from him to the ends of Covorum and beyond.

Ah, Nelina said with a good-humored sigh. Well, then, if you’re all intent on making this legally binding… She rustled around in the pack slung over her chair for a moment, producing another roll of parchment and unfurling the bottom as she smiled at Tanner. If you wouldn’t mind copying our new deal as an addendum. My employer appreciates transparency in their operatives.

Tanner hastily obliged, and both copies of the new deal were completed and signed within a matter of minutes.

Well, Nelina said upon finishing her second signature, "if our business is now concluded… She stood, hesitantly scanning the other three’s faces. Grand. Well, I’ll be off, then. But not to worry. She shot a general wink their way as she made for the door. As per our agreement, you’ll be seeing me again shortly."

Allie gave a dry groan as the tigerkin slipped out the door. "Ugh. Are we sure that’s what we wanted?"

* * *

Tanner found himself in surprisingly high spirits as he followed Jack and Allie out of the Ladle and up northward through the town square toward the temple. Not only had it felt good to put Nelina in her place, for once, but, as far as he could tell, nothing was pulling him away from Dragon’s Nest for the foreseeable future.

Which means, I’ve got time to try to make things right here at home, now.

Immediately, his good humor melted away. Sure, things between him and Kurtis were better than they’d ever been. Tanner had even found the old bearkin reading up on basic magics upon his return to Dragon’s Nest the night before.

Just trying to understand your world a bit better, Kurtis had explained, obviously marking the blood on Tanner’s clothes. Tanner had, of course, quickly volunteered the story behind the look. Things had gone smoothly enough with the Glenadok orc tribe and the memorial for Ozgur, the human adopted by the tribe’s chief, Arigos, not to worry, but a band of goblins and scalies had attacked them on their way back, led by Gareech, an enormous crocblood who apparently had it in for Jack after the way she killed Gareech’s chief brother, Baskug, who cast him out after a fight for control of the tribe, but now, on account of some weird, family bond thing, Gareech is out for revenge, and…

Kurtis had listened patiently and quietly, which had been unnerving enough, but then, at the end, instead of reprimanding Tanner on being reckless or stupid, he’d simply clapped the younger man on the arm. I’m just glad you’re safe, cub.

Tanner gulped in the present, still unaccustomed to all the confidence Kurtis seemed to have in him nowadays. The old bearkin hadn’t even brought up Tanner’s very human appearance as of late.

It’s just…easier, Tanner told himself for what must have been the hundredth time. As far as he was concerned, his life could use a bit of easiness, especially when some problems were feeling unfixable.

Atrisar’s slight face flashed through his mind at the thought, and his mind was swept back to their talk from the night before.

Much like Kurtis, Atrisar had listened intently as he’d recounted his time among the orcs, on the road, and fighting Gareech’s minions. When Tanner had reached the end of his story, however, he’d marked the wistful sadness in Atrisar’s eyes.

Stupid! he reprimanded himself. You know it’s her dream to see the world outside the town!

So, he’d said after a long silence, how have things been with you?

Because I always manage to make it worse, he thought with a sigh as he neared the base of the temple steps.

Atrisar had instantly pulled away across the bar, hugging her arms against her body. With all the stress, she’d said, her voice wavering, Fylak’s been…worse.

Tanner’s sympathy had given way to rage as he’d spotted the bruise on Atrisar’s wrist.

I just feel so useless! he’d snarled later, having joined Jack, Allie, and their gnome temple guard friend, Gefnar, at one of the tables. She barely even knew her parents, and now she has to spend a lifetime paying for their crimes?

Gefnar had chewed sullenly on his bread in commiseration. "I remember reading about that. Fylak had them cornered after they tried to steal from the temple, and they just…leapt to their deaths off the bluff. It wasn’t until later that it was even discovered that a pair of career criminals had a daughter, tucked away in a back room of The Shining Chalice."

Jack’s brow had furrowed. As distasteful as it is…do you think she could be, well…bought?

Tanner’s instinct had been to brush away the idea. Then, he’d looked about the others’ faces. Do you…think it’s possible?

We can look up the records in the temple, Gefnar offered, a wary smile coming to his face. Knowing her parents’ crimes would give us some idea of what it would cost to wipe away the rest of her sentence.

Believe it or not, Allie had said with a sigh, "but I hate to be the wet blanket, here. This is Fylak we’re talking about. I’d be surprised if he’d let Atrisar go at any price, simply as a matter of pride…not to mention his…investment in her appearance."

If Tanner had been in his fox form, his fur certainly would have bristled. Though a full human, Atrisar’s ears sported a full, elven point, possibly leading a casual onlooker to regard that, along with her naturally pointed features, and assume she was a member of the extinct race.

Well, it’s still worth a shot! Tanner reaffirmed his response to Allie in the present, shifting his focus up the steps of the temple and the waiting archives. Sure, they had a number of things left to do, what with needing to report to High Priestess Entothika and preparing their testimonies for Mayor Dunaxos’s upcoming trial, but that could wait until Atrisar was—

A sharp jab in his ribs snapped his indignant gaze over to Jack and her pointy elbows. Then, seeing her unwavering look to the shadows beside the great stairway, Tanner bit back a verbal retort and followed her gaze.

There, in the shadows was a slim, gray-furred dogkin woman in simple brown garb.

Tanner’s mind was swept back to the town meeting days before, where they’d all helped appoint Sally Wythers to the single vacant seat on the town council in hopes of expediting Dunaxos’s trial. Near the end, they’d all spotted a dogkin in the crowd who’d seemed somehow…familiar, just like she did now.

But, despite their attempts to follow the suspicious figure’s trail, she’d eluded them entirely, seeming to vanish into the air.

And now, here she was, simply staring at them with expectant eyes.

Well, I don’t plan to disappoint, thought Tanner, stepping forward along with Allie, Jack, and Ember, letting his fox blood pulse in his ears as he drew closer and attempted to drink in the dogkin’s scent.

It was…barely there. Almost like a distant memory.

Still, the woman remained, standing placidly as they all approached.

So, you’re just letting yourself be seen now? Allie snapped when they’d closed in. Tanner could see that the human woman had adopted a faintly threatening posture.

The dogkin dipped her head lightly, her voice emerging a deep yet feminine growl. "Yes, for it is time for me to be seen."

Riiight, Tanner said slowly, letting small tendrils of fire dance over his fingertips. So, mind telling us who you are, exactly?

I am Beila, the dogkin said matter-of-factly. And I come to you now with an offer well-earned.

And what offer would that be? said Jack, not holding Ember back as the wolf stepped around Beila, confusion on his face as he attempted to catch the woman’s scent as well.

Now Beila bowed, almost reverently. To serve true power. To stop letting yourselves become entangled in the petty squabbles of the ordinary.

Uh-huh, said Tanner, glancing to his comrades. And ‘true power’ would be you?

Not I, Beila said crisply. But it is best if you hear it from her, and, for that, we must go below.

Tanner’s stomach did a rather impressive flip.

Not that you don’t seem wholly trustworthy, Jack said, coldness creeping into her tone, but we haven’t exactly had the best of luck in dealing with powerful entities beneath Dragon’s Nest.

Is this another dethroned Theikour? Tanner blurted, his insides churning as he recalled the raw, chilling touch of Cravog, the scorpion Theikour they’d spoken to in their dealings with the shadowy cultists in the tunnels beneath the town.

No, said Beila with a spiteful sneer. "My mistress is not of Cravog’s kind, but a being of true power on this plane."

Well, Jack said guardedly, then I guess we’d better meet her.

Tanner had never wanted to slap somebody so much. Still, he caught Allie’s affirming nod, and he understood. If this was another danger to Dragon’s Nest, or even the world beyond, they’d need to know what it was. Ignorance wasn’t particularly helpful to anyone.

Fine, he said through gritted teeth, not at all smiling toward Beila. I guess we better had.

A Forceful Request

Jack kept one hand on the hilt of Helfeydd, the elven sword gifted to her by Aglek, finding a strange sort of closure in the gesture. Though she hadn’t known the old crocblood sorcerer long, the weight that he’d rested on her shoulders would likely stay with her for the rest of her days, as, she hoped, would his gi ft to her.

She was still unconvinced she was the Huntress of legend Aglek had declared her to be, but the old scaly had helped to convict her of one thing; the division and prejudice between half-breeds and the major races had to end. It was the only way for the world to move forward.

And Jack was determined to do her part to make that change a reality.

Now, if only being the fabled Huntress to a swath of marginalized species meant I could exclusively face danger out in the wild, she thought, staring intently into the back of her dogkin guide, her skin crawling at the thought of returning underground.

She could sense Tanner and Allie’s anxiety, as well, and she found the fur on Ember’s neck bristling as she reached down to scratch him behind the ears.

Not yet, she thought toward the wolf, flicking a quick hand signal before his face, her eyes never leaving Beila through the morning gloom. Best not to maul anyone until we know a bit more.

So, she and her companions trailed on in silence, keeping pace as Beila led them briskly down the side streets and alleyways of New Dragon’s Nest. Until, abruptly, the dogkin veered toward the nearby doorway of a small, simple cottage, slipping inside without knock or key.

Jack shot a quick, questioning glance back to Tanner, who gave a wide-eyed shrug. "Don’t look at me. I have no idea what this place is."

Almost as though it barely exists, Allie muttered, slipping past the others after Beila.

Something like that, Jack thought, peering down the length of the house and finding it entirely bland; unnoteworthy.

The feeling was mirrored inside, as, when Jack entered, she saw no furniture, decoration, and only the barest indication of utility, with a small, clean pot sitting on a straw mat in the corner.

Beila, meanwhile, had crossed to a narrow, downward staircase, slipping into the stairwell after only the briefest look to see if her guests still followed her. They did, caution in their steps and confusion in their knitted brows.

Nice place, Tanner grunted, shutting the door behind him.

Neither Allie nor Jack offered up a reply, instead silently slipping down the dark staircase after Beila. Just when the darkness became too much, a quick flash of magic flared at the bottom of the stairs in what looked to be a small storeroom, igniting the torch in Beila’s grasp.

Calmly sliding a small, narrow set of shelves aside, Beila disappeared into the slender, jagged passage beyond.

Jack stiffened at the sight. They’d have to enter one at a time.

I’ll go first, Tanner whispered, stepping up between his companions as his face creased in discomfort. If something comes at us, I’ll need a clear shot, anyway.

He raised a hand as he stepped forward, a harsh, shimmering glow wrapping around his palm and fingertips to further illuminate the narrow tunnel.

Let’s hope it won’t come to that, Jack replied in a hushed tone, motioning Ember in before her as she followed.

Behind her, she heard Allie give a bitter chuckle. "’Cause that’s a tactic that’s always worked out for us before."

A long, few moments of silence ensued, during which Jack busied herself with soothing Ember as he shouldered his large frame uncomfortably through the passage. It was easier than addressing her own discomfort at the seemingly endless trek downward.

Then, when Jack was beginning to consider abandoning the course, she saw the light from Beila’s torch fall away up ahead, as though the dogkin had stepped into a larger chamber or crossway.

With a whooshing sigh of relief, Tanner followed soon after, both his light and Beila’s revealing a massive cavern beyond as Jack, Ember, and Allie stepped in after.

The feeling of worry planted in Jack upon seeing the jagged, hewn nature of the passage behind them rose to new heights. Unlike the passage, this chamber looked to have been…melted, the bubbling, amorphous rock lining the walls and floor boasting a strange, almost igneous quality.

And neither this chamber, nor the passage, sported the smooth, dwarven magic of stoneshaping that had left the confines of the cultist tunnels clean and unblemished.

While Jack could guess at the myriad of picks and hammers that had likely chipped away at the rock to create the tunnel, that still left a rather weighty question.

She took a moment to turn about, taking in the blob-like, seemingly flash-cooled walls of the chamber around her. Who made this one…and how?

Well, Beila, an impossibly low, growling voice sounded from the far end of the chamber still shrouded in darkness, "what…morsels do you bring me today?"

Jack’s blood ran cold in her veins as a rising red glow began to swell in the distant shadow, and she was unsurprised to find her bow already in her hands.

Those you requested, my lady, Beila said from nearby, her tone drenched in subservience.

The ground beneath Jack’s boots trembled, then did so again as the red glow drew nearer, growing harsh to Jack’s dilated eyes and tracing a massive, horrifying silhouette between the far wall and the new arrivals.

A long, lean, unmistakably reptilian form lumbered steadily forward, a large pair of gleaming red eyes now reflecting the firelight from Tanner and Beila. Muscular, taloned forelegs slammed into view, and a long, scaly tail lashed this way and that in the near-darkness beyond.

And, most horrifying of all, an immense, red snout, brimming with white, spear-like teeth, swept into the light, the scarred lips curled back in a devious smile.

So it seems, said the armored beast above the deafening pound of Jack’s heart, its snake-like eyes slowly scanning Jack and her allies. Well, it is good you all have come. Impossibly the smile grew wider. We have much to discuss.

* * *

Staring up into the face of what could only be a dragon of legend, Allie experienced one of the sharpest moments of clarity