A Tale from the Road (A Sundren Preview!)

[Phantom Lamb]

Looking dejected, Linny hung her empty sachel on a coathook in the bunk room. Not everyone in the Black Tax Alliance was afforded their own private quarters. She'd have to earn her way for something like that. But today was not going to make a dent in her progress toward that goal.

She unbuttoned her stained leather coat and hung it over the sachel. She could at least lay claims to the coathook as hers, as most everything else in the room was shared between its twelve denizens. Might be less soon, she thought to herself.

As if in response to this thought, a harsh voice called coldly from the rear of the room.

"Got my money?" The voice came from Scuzz, her boss. The man had perfected "five o'clock shadow," but never shaved or trimmed his facial hair. It's as though the man was born to be unkempt, and his hair grew naturally to that purpose. His black hair was greasy and he had a stoop in his shoulders. One look at this man told you exactly who he was - a mid-ranked man in Sundren's thief guild.

"Nothing today," responded Linny. She tidied the things on her precious coat rack, doing her best not to meet Scuzz's eye.

"What's that then?," Scuzz replied from an eerily-close distance. The man had padded quietly across the room in a heartbeat. Linny could feel his hot breath.

She turned, squaring her body with the man. He was a good foot taller than her, and at least thirty stones heavier. He was an intimidating grease spot that you wanted to avoid at any cost. There was nothing approachable about him, and few words he spoke contradicted this idea.

"Roads were watched all week," said Linny. "Been to the usual spots, seen the same thing time after time. They're sending patrols north and south. Got lookouts stationed at the usuals, too. Me and my team couldn't work."

"You're lying," snarled Scuzz. "The Legion ain't here no more. They're flyin' high in the sky. Roads are wide open. So where's my money?"

"Wasn't the Legion," replied Linny. "Wasn't the Triad, neither. Well, it was, down south. But there was black clad soldiers to the west - Black Hand, maybe. Even tried the roads north, but they had eyes, too. Seen dead bobs hanging roadside north of Aquor, and wolf tracks all about. Sundren's armin' up - I need more men if you want to tax the roads."

"So train 'em or buy 'em," said Scuzz with impatience. "It ain't my problem. You know the deal, trick. I get my tax no matter what. I don't care one shit about your profit or loss - my money is my money. You're payin' up one way..."

She knew the next words would end his life, so she stopped him before he could finish his sentence. It was the last favor she'd give the man. A quick jab with her hand to Scuzz's throat left him crouched and wheezing.

"I'm taking two more men to get your money. We'll have it end of the week - twice what I owe," said Linny. She grabbed her coat and wrapped up again, not wanting to be here when he got his wind back. She bruised him badly, ego and all. Paying up at week's end might help him forget that chop to the throat, but failure could put a price on her head.

She suited up and turned heel to the door. She paused and spoke over her shoulder.

"You're the boss. But don't think for a minute I can't end you."

She hoped that last threat would hold him off to week's end. And she left him on his fours, off to earn her money and her life.

[Snowmane]

Seen dead bobs hanging roadside north of Aquor, and wolf tracks all about.

Khyron looked at the motley crew of bobs assembled before him with derision. They stood in a line, a short distance north of Aquor. Their hands were chained behind them and they were surrounded by Snow Leopards with no hope of escape. Each of them had offered insult to the Frostmaiden by daring to collect "taxes" from travelers in Her lands. Each coin they extorted was rightly due unto Her, and they would pay dearly for their heresy.

As he slowly walked down the line, he examined each one. They dared not make eye contact with him and each shivered as the freezing power of his aura touched them. At least they were smart enough to fear Her servants. 'They should have feared us more', Khyron thought to himself. But now it was too late for that. Their deaths would be a lesson in fear to others, and would send them running for the warmer parts of the valley to avoid Her wrath.

As he reached the end of the line, one of the men did not look away. Indeed, he dared to return the Ice Fury's gaze. Khyron stopped in front of him and they locked eyes for some time, neither flinching. "You have spirit, if not sense. Who are you that dares to look me in the eyes?"

"Name's Cobb, and I ain't like the rest of this filth. I got qualities, skills you see. I could be useful to you, not like these sons of whores."

Khyron looked upon the man appraisingly. He was possessed of a wiry strength and a bearing that supported his words. His hands were calloused, but not from hard work. No, they looked like the hands of a man who had wielded a blade. He was middle aged and weathered from spending time outdoors. This one did have potential.

"Are you willing to submit completely to the will of the Frostmaiden and Her servants? Do you, of your own free will, give to Her all that you are, to forsake all others, and swear to worship the Cold Goddess for the rest of your days?"

"I do.", the man replied with relief and a touch of pride in his voice.

Khyron closed his eyes for a moment and thought of Her. He could still feel Her icy touch from the night of his own conversion. He could still remember Her beauty, and the icy burning in his heart as she changed him forever. His desire to be Hers had never waivered in all that time and his devotion had been rewarded with power.

He opened his eyes and looked around him for signs. There was no gust of icy wind, no flake of snow falling from the heavens. There was no mist or frost or hail. There were no howls of the Winter Wolves, no Snowy Owls in the sky, no Frost Worms on the ground.

As Khyron patiently continued searching, Cobb's relief fled from him and his growing dread was visible. His legs began to quiver, and not solely from the cold that rolled off of the Ice Fury. The other highwaymen were doing their best to distance themselves from him, though their chains and the spears of the Snow Leopards only afforded them so much leeway.

Finally, Khyron once again returned his gaze to Cobb. An icy smile touched his mouth as he said, "I have heard your words. Do not be afraid, for the Icedawn has accepted your oath and you shall be hers."

With an audible sigh, Cobb relaxed and fought to stop his shivering. "Thank you! Thank you! I live to serve Her will!" he exclaimed.

Khyron took a step back and raised his hand, pointing a finger at Cobb's chest. He spoke a word and a burst of cold rushed from his finger and impacted the man. A thin ring of ice encircled him and began to grow thicker as it raced along his limbs. Cobb struggled against the ice, but it was no use. As his limbs were encased, the biting cold became too much for him and he screamed in pain. It was not long before his cries were cut off, as the ice climbed his neck to his head and entered his mouth, freezing him into an icy statue of torment.

Khyron never lost the smile as he watched the man die. "And so She claims that which is Hers. Snow Leopards, leave that one there as an offering to Her, hang the rest."

The bobs cried out and begged for mercy, but mercy was not Her way. As the Snow Leopards made ready to carry out the order, Khyron turned his back and made his way to Aquor. There was still much to be done to consolidate Her hold on the city. And as one of Her Furies, it was his duty to see it done.