Richard Parker - Elsewhere

Over a dozen men gathered around Jake as the King’s party road back off the Plateau. They jostled him playfully, though they all showed him a new respect.

“In tight with the King…” one older soldier ribbed Jake as if he were teasing the younger man about a girl.

Jake smiled. “They tried to pick a fight with me a while back, but they backed down. Lucky for them I guess...”

Laughter erupted loud enough for Gwaynn to hear but he did not turn back to look, instead he just rode on smiling.

II

The Executioner Ira Lacombe landed in Heron without any feeling of homecoming at all. He was Massi, but this land was never really his home. This was only the second time he’d returned since leaving more than two decades ago at the age of twelve. His last visit to Massi was nearly five years previous, when he was hired to kill a wealthy merchant who’d been greedy and foolish enough to steal from the wrong people. Lacombe returned to the land of his birth to execute the man and his family.

Standing on the bustling dock, the memory of the kill brought a smile to Lacombe’s face, for though the merchant was old, his wife was much younger. Young and firm she was, and though she was not a true beauty, she made up for it with robust enthusiasm in bed. Of course it was feigned enthusiasm brought on by the threat of death…but it was enjoyable enthusiasm nonetheless. Lacombe could not recall the woman’s name but he clearly remembered how eager she was to please, eager in many, many ways, and even though she showed great promise and a genuine talent in the carnal pleasures, Lacombe still took her life in the end. She squirmed with true enthusiasm as he strangled her slowly. He remembered how her eyes bulged and pleaded for mercy right up until the moment she died. She received none of course and when it was over he hung her naked body in front of her manor home as a warning to others. Yes, he remembered the woman well, even if he could not remember her name.

And now he was “home” once more, ironically to kill another woman, but this target was far deadlier than his last Massi victim. Lacombe was absent when the Tarina de Baard challenged and killed Tar Wazzner, but his spies spoke of her uncanny speed and skill. They also mentioned her beauty, but Lacombe doubted he would be able to coerce any sexual satisfaction from the Tarina before her death. No, he could not let his attention wander. He would have to be satisfied with the kill. He did not deceive himself. de Baard must be good, very good for it was not often that the High Tar of the Sinis warned of being mindful after issuing the kill order. Lacombe knew he would have to be careful, cunning and quick. There was little doubt that de Baard would recognize him for what and who he was, so the kill must come very fast and at the very first opportunity.

Lacombe looked about the dock in the early morning light as he waited for Sunwind, his large brown mare to be off-loaded. She was not his favorite, but she would draw no unwanted attention. He was playing the part of a warrior now; at least until de Baard was in his sights. He was dimly aware of the crowd moving about him. Those nearest the man from Sinis unconsciously gave him a wide berth without fully knowing why. Instinctively, in the deepest recesses of their minds, they labeled Lacombe as dangerous and skipped past as quickly as possible and when they were by, nearly all felt an odd form of relief. For his part Lacombe ignored the people around him…just so much clutter.

“I’m heading for Manse to join with Prince Gwaynn,” Lacombe said to the man leading Sunwind from the belly of the trireme. “Is there a contact in Heron?”

The man shrugged and turned away. Lacombe fought down the urge to kill him for such insolence.

“Essain…he’s a dock rat and a gambler,” the man spoke without turning around. “You’ll find him at the Suckling Pig. He should know.”

Lacombe frowned. “The Suckling Pig?”

The man stopped at the very top of the gangway, half turned and pointed to the south. “Tavern, just up the dock a ways.”

The man did not wait but continued up onto the boat, but it was just as well, Lacombe would not have thanked him in any case.

The Executioner climbed up on Sunwind and made his way quickly in the direction indicated. He found the Suckling Pig with little difficulty, and from the smell, the tavern was aptly named.

As a stranger and a lone traveler, Lacombe garnered a few lengthy stares as he entered and made his way up to the bar. Surprisingly, the place was noisy and crowded. The Executioner cringed at the mixture of offensive smells, the strongest of which were currently battling for supremacy. When Lacombe found an opening at the bar he was still debating if the victor was the fetid smell of unwashed bodies or the pungent odor of frying fish. An enormous barmaid with a pair of tits each the size of her head leaned over and smiled a welcome at him. Lacombe decided then and there that the smell of unwashed bodies was champion.

“What kin’ I do ya for?” the woman asked, her breasts nearly falling from the top of her bodice and her sour breath added to the aroma of unpleasantness.

“I’m looking for Essain,” Lacombe said, very careful not to touch her or the bar with his bare hands.

The woman’s eyes darted over his left shoulder and then back. “Care for a room?” She asked still smiling, “and maybe a bit of exercise?”

Lacombe’s right hand twitched toward his kali, but he fought off the desire. “Just Essain for now, but if my luck holds…who knows.”

The woman smiled wider, showing a mouthful of yellowing teeth. “He’s in the far corner…games already started.”

Lacombe nodded and began to move away but stopped as the woman reached out and grabbed his left forearm. The Executioner turned back quickly and the smiling woman saw something lethal in his eyes. She jerked her hand back as if scalded. Lacombe fixed his gaze on her for another moment, holding her captive with fear, before turning away again. He moved through the crowded bar without hurry, though he wanted nothing more than to be done with his time here.

The game was loud and crowded with shouting men and squealing whores.

‘The Suckling Pig indeed,’ Lacombe thought as he forced his way to the front.

“Essain,” he said loudly and a slim man with long dark hair and a sharp dark beard looked up and met his eyes.

The crowd was involved in some kind of dice game and seemed annoyed at the interruption.

“A word,” Lacombe requested then held up a few gold pieces between his thumb and forefinger. At the sight of real coin, the frown fell from Essain’s face. He motioned to a few of his comrades, one of which slid neatly into his place as the gambler rose.

“Come,” Essain, said smiling. “We will talk in the back…it’s more private,” he added and led the way passed the bar; missing the wary look the barmaid was sporting. Lacombe followed, as did two of Essain’s larger associates. The group moved through the kitchen which was also full of offensive smells and into a large private room which was furnished well and surprisingly spotless. Essain moved quickly behind a large oak desk and sat in an expensive looking plush chair. He motioned for Lacombe to be seated but the Executioner merely stood and tossed the gold pieces to the gambler, who snatched both pieces deftly out of the air with one hand and then seemed very pleased with the accomplishment.

“I’m heading to Manse to join with Prince Gwaynn. I thought perhaps you might know of others traveling in the direction,” Lacombe said. He was aware of the two large men who stood at his back, directly inside the door to the room, but he felt no real apprehension.

Essain eyed the stranger before him quietly for a moment. The man was armed with kali and had the look of a fighting soldier, but that was of little concern to Essain. He’d prospered under Deutzani rule and his strength and power were continuing to build under the lawless rule of…Prince Gwaynn.