Terror in Freeport - Part 6b: The Shakedown
Egil glanced both ways down the street, and then urged them down a quiet lane. They were making their way towards the Eastern district.
“It all happened so quickly.” Egil looked around nervously. “I was just down the hall from Lucius when I heard a short, sharp cry. I raced to his chamber to find papers on the floor, the desk upended—chaos. I hurried into the street but saw nothing. I knew you were my only chance, but when I asked at the Pale Plate, they hadn’t seen you in some time.”
“We were busy,” said Kham.
“I knew the ssanu could not have taken you by force, as they took Lucius; it had to be some human agency, even if it was disguised. Once I discovered there was an order out for your arrest, I knew I had to reach you before Verlaine’s guards did.”
“You’re a little late,” said Vlad.
“There’s no time to lose,” said Egil. “Time for Lucius is running out. I fear the serpents intend to complete the job they started a month ago. I think I know where they’ve taken Lucius,” said Egil. ”It should be right…here.” He pointed at a pile of trash.
Cal tore at the pile with his claws, removing scrubby weeds to reveal an old sewer access.
“Well,” said Vlad. “I guess we’re going in.”
Kham shuddered. “The sewers are where Freeport dumps everything too unsavory for Freeporters. Think about that for a minute.”
“I’d rather not,” said Sebastian, covering his nose.
Bijoux gagged several times before making her way in. The stench was overpowering and took a moment to get accustomed to.
“Breathe through your mouth,” said Beldin. “It might help.”
“You can’t smell it like I do,” said Bijoux. She looked like she might throw up.
They were in a damp, dripping tunnel with a narrow walkway on either side and a river of effluvia oozing down the middle. The walkways were enough for single file.
Cal cocked his head. “We are not alone,” he said.
Bijoux pointed at claws marks on the walkways. “The ssanu are down here.”
At the edge of the Merchant District, an iron grating blocked the passage. It was cemented in place.
“Stand back,” said Cal, flexing his claws. “I’ll open it.”
“No need.” Bijoux walked over to the bars and with a firm yank, removed them.
“You’re stronger than I thought,” said Cal.
Bijoux dusted her hands. She didn’t bother to point out that the bars had been sawed through in the middle and then replaced.
Beyond the grate there was…
“A dead end,” said Vlad. “Looks like the tunnel’s been bricked up.”
“Not quite,” said Beldin. He pushed on several of the bricks and the wall swung open to reveal a thick, dusty darkness.
“You first,” said Sebastian to Egil. He leaned closer to whisper in his hear. “I don’t care if you’re Kham’s friend or not; if you betray me, I will find you and kill you, like I killed the other Altherian traitors before.”
Egil gulped and stepped first into the darkness.