Chapter 2
It amazed Thjorn how slow many glyphmasons could be. They remained reluctant to go near the glyph. Hadn’t they worked out it was harmless yet? Admittedly there were some bits it should take them longer to understand, but it was almost as if they couldn’t read them.
The guilds – the Society and the Alliance – had set themselves up as the guardians of this treasure the First Ones left when they passed from this world. The guilds decided who was allowed to use them, and how, yet seemed to understand glyphs about as well as the tribesmen originally taught them by the First Ones.
He’d never understood how so few glyphmasons could comprehend what glyphs did simply by looking.
They understood the basics: that glyphs drew on geographical power wells, reflected by fixed points on a glyph which had to be situated in precise relation to one another.
They knew – and some even understood – what the points did: the trigger, power level, duration, and range which controlled the general attributes of a glyph; and the decay, strength, pull, and life force which shaped the effect.
They’d have memorised the effects of all the angles through which lines traversed the points.
Yet ask them to say with a moment’s notice what these did in a particular combination and they’d be lost. Some were even unaware you didn’t need all control points. Ask how multiple effect points interacted in a single glyph and they’d look at you funny. Although Thjorn would admit – with reluctance, and only in the privacy of his own mind – that he sometimes had to think about those. But never more than a minute.
Yet the guilds insisted they knew everything there was to know about glyphs. How civilisation had come into being mystified him.
Not saying anything aloud, he moved on as the local guards dispersed the crowd. With Akar the largest and busiest port in Sinnir, the guards would be under pressure not to keep its main road closed long. But they couldn’t direct their frustrations at the glyphmasons.
Thjorn noted the guards didn’t bother the Alliance member watching proceedings. Sinnir may be primarily allied with the Society, but they wouldn’t antagonise the Alliance.
While the uneasy détente between them meant they shared some things, the rivals would prefer keeping knowledge to themselves until sure of its value. So the Alliance man drew the occasional hard glance from the Society men.
Leaving them to their ineptitude Thjorn headed towards the docks, taking a few side streets and alleys to ensure he wasn’t followed.
He didn’t know whether to laugh at the idiots or attack them for their ignorance.
It also frustrated him that most glyphmasons were so blissfully oblivious to – or unconcerned by – the quiet tyranny the guilds exercised over society.
Their influence had grown to supplant that of most monarchies, rendering them almost irrelevant. That they hadn’t taken direct control over the guards and other civic authorities stemmed more from a lack of interest in the minutiae of governance than any lack of power.
While they may see themselves as different – the Society catered to the more affluent customer while the Alliance handled everyday glyphs – Thjorn had never distinguished between the two. Both manipulated countries for their own ends, to gain advantage over their only obstacle to complete dominance: each other.
They weren’t even structured differently once you got past the titles. Each had a ruling body – a council of senior glyphmasons for the Society, and the board of administrators for the Alliance – with an arch-glyphmason or chairman overseeing things. While the lower levels of the Society was guided by the glyphmason’s experience, and the Alliance governed by how much they earned, it made little difference. It wasn’t the rank and file who made the decisions.
Most people outside the guilds didn’t even know who ran them, and many members didn’t care. Yet they were on their way to controlling as much as they could be bothered with, and nobody seemed to have the ability or desire to stop them.
Was it any wonder he was so angry with a world out to irritate him?
A crowd watched the site of the collapse, even after a couple of hours. Hardly surprising, with the Society men still putting on a show.
Lingering in an alley as he took an apple from his pocket, Thjorn scanned the crowd. Augni was easily located. As were the thugs watching him. The pair stayed back but weren’t exactly subtle. Could they not even pretend competence?
Their look and demeanour suggested they worked for the local gang boss. While Sinnir –Akar in particular – was strongly policed, nowhere was free of underworld elements. Akar’s were relatively entrenched, and apparently knew who’d carried out this theft without their consent.
The thugs were definitely watching Augni rather than the incident.
Ignoring them, Thjorn joined Augni and watched the Society men around the breach engaging in hushed arguments.
'Anything interesting?' Thjorn asked as he nibbled at the lean remains of the apple.
'Not really,' said Augni. He glanced at the apple, probably wondering whether it had been legally acquired. 'Been a while since they brought anything up.'
Society guards started dispersing the crowd, for all the good that would do. Many drifted back after only going a few steps. Thjorn and Augni continued on their way, joining the flow of foot traffic. Even on main streets their tails weren't particularly inconspicuous.
'You know we have company,' said Augni.
'Of course,' said Thjorn.
'Society?' asked Augni.
Thjorn snorted. 'No. Just the locals.'
Thjorn led them towards a less trafficked neighbourhood, one with plenty of solid buildings which would support their glyphed boots. While running wouldn’t be his preferred option, he preferred having the option.
They’d not been off the main streets long when a head poked out ahead, quickly ducking back.
'Oh, please,' said Thjorn. Were they actually trying to insult him? They were, weren’t they. That’s why they sent such blatant amateurs.
'I’m sure they’re doing their best,' said Augni. 'This might go better if you don’t point out their inadequacies.'
'Don’t worry. I’ll charm our way out of it.'
'Dear fates, no. Please don’t try that.'
'What do you mean try?' asked Thjorn.
'You can’t do charm.'
'Of course I can. I’m the very height of sophisticated wit.'
Augni appeared unconvinced. 'What you consider wit other people consider a motive.'
'Nonsense,' said Thjorn, starting to enjoy himself. 'Just watch and see.' A tickle of adrenaline stroked his nerves in anticipation of the upcoming entertainment. It could turn to fear if he let it, but that’d be counterproductive. So he looked for the thrill in the confrontation, verbal or physical, and focussed his attention.
Augni gave a long-suffering sigh. 'Do not make me laugh in their faces.'
That was a challenge, surely.
The heavy footsteps behind grew heavier, but didn’t get any closer. Were they abandoning their attempt at subtlety? Did that mean they’d been trying?
The few pedestrians seemed to take the hint and vacated the street.
Three men emerged ahead and spread out. The middle one was Snaenjar. Thjorn made sure to know the main players in a city, and this wasn't his first visit to Akar.
Cold eyes watched their approach from under loose-hanging but tidy blond hair. Snaenjar's clothes were of a markedly more expensive cut than the thugs with him. As primary lieutenant – and likely successor – to Thjodstar, Snaenjar was his face on the street since age had reduced the gang boss’ mobility. He wasn’t someone to get involved in muggings.
'We should talk,' said Snaenjar.
'Should we?' asked Thjorn, sounding confused. 'I'm sorry, who are you?'
'You know who I am,' said Snaenjar. 'And I know who you are.'
'Well of course you do,' said Thjorn. 'Who do you think I am?'
'And I know what he is.' Snaenjar nodded in
Augni's direction, his distaste evident.
'Of course you do. He's a visitor, like me.'
Standing at ease, Thjorn slipped his hands in his pockets. The move was casual enough to draw no more than a glance from one of the thugs. A completely innocent action. He had no weapons in his pockets. What he did have was a material that held a pattern when scratched. He carved a glyph in case it became necessary, making it contact triggered so he need only hit it. The low power of the glyph, and the strength of the material, meant he’d have a good minute’s use before it threatened to burn his pocket. Plenty of time, considering the opposition.
He doubted he’d need it, but safer to be prepared.
'You're a thief,' said Snaenjar.
'I beg your pardon. I don't think I've ever been so insulted. Apart from that time I was accused of sounding like an Akarite.'
'You're Thjorn.' Snaenjar's irritation began to show.
'No, I'm Nebjof,' said Thjorn. He turned to Augni. 'Aren't I?'
Augni shrugged. 'He doesn't seem to think so.'
Thjorn glanced uncertainly at the other thugs. They seemed selected for intimidation. No glyphed weapons among them. Unsurprising since even street glyphs would cost.
Snaenjar's lips pursed in frustration. 'If you insist on doing this the hard way...'
'I'm sure whatever you have to say is very intimidating,' said Thjorn. 'Consider me duly intimidated. Aren't you intimidated?' he asked Augni.
'Why not,' Augni said with disinterest.
'We're intimidated,' said Thjorn. 'But we're also busy men, so could you get to the point.'
Despite his irritation, Snaenjar held his temper in check. Everything Thjorn had heard about him said he was calculating, and that seemed borne out by his patience. Seeing how long he could maintain it might be fun.
'Someone robbed the Society shipment earlier today,' said Snaenjar
'I thought it was an accident,' said Thjorn.
'It was theft. We have people in place to hear things, and they've heard...'
'That it was a theft. Yes, you said.'
'An unsanctioned one. This is where the problem occurs.' He stared hard.
Thjorn met the stare with an amiable smile, waiting for Snaenjar to continue.
'And here you are,' he said a moment later. 'A notorious glyphpunk and thief.'
'Notorious,' Thjorn said with slow precision. 'Glyphpunk. And thief. I might actually be insulted if I gave a gnat's fart for your opinion. Fortunately I don't. So I'm willing to let things said be forgotten – since there's obviously been a mistake on your part – and we'll be on our way.'
'No, you won't,' said Snaenjar. The thugs flexed at the hardness in his voice. 'You'll tell us exactly what you stole, and we'll work out what you owe for operating here without permission.'
'I thought you said you knew all about this theft you claim took place?' asked Thjorn.
'I know stuff was stolen, but the Society is close-mouthed about what...'
'Given they still have people diving, I'd have thought they still considered the goods down there.'
'Do you take me for an imbecile?' barked Snaenjar.
'What's that got to do with the theft?'
Augni tensed alongside him, probably suppressing a laugh.
'I've had enough of this,' said Snaenjar.
'Does that mean we can go?'
'Not to anywhere you'd want to be.' He began to nod to the thugs, stopping as Thjorn's voice went cold.
'Do you think a notorious glyphpunk wouldn't have protective glyphs about his person?'
Snaenjar's eyes barely flickered, but his stance tensed, and the thugs hesitated.
'You expect me to believe that?' asked Snaenjar.
'I thought you said you knew who I am? You call me a thief, yet I've never had anything to do with your counterparts in other cities. If I am a thief, and given they're no more welcoming of rogue operators than you, why do you believe they've never given me trouble?'
He held Snaenjar in an even gaze for a moment. The thief’s eyes said he wouldn’t risk it. Boring, predictable, and not worth his time.
'Well, good luck finding these ne'er-do-wells,' said Thjorn. He strolled on.
His nerves quivered as he waited for one of them to try something. There was no sound of movement behind, and the thugs ahead were uncertain, glancing at Snaenjar for guidance.
Snaenjar folded his arms before Thjorn reached him. 'Let them pass,' he said.
Thjorn’s nerves relaxed in disappointment. Maybe he should have pushed a bit more? No, he couldn’t afford that just for entertainment.
They’d gone a couple of streets without incident before Augni’s hand strayed from his blade.
'What do you think?' asked Thjorn.
'That you’re a bastard. What does that have to do with the theft?'
'I thought you held it together well.'
'I thought you were going to goad him until he attacked,' said Augni.
'As though I would,' Thjorn said in mock offence.
'You really have any glyphs on you that could have made much difference?' asked Augni.
'The one on my arse that lets me fool imbeciles.'
'Thought that was where you were talking from.'
Thjorn barked a laugh.
'They know we’re involved,' said Augni.
'They suspect.'
'Doesn't make much difference.'
'No,' Thjorn agreed. Criminals didn't need proof before acting. If they were serious, this may not be the end of things. Just as well they were leaving the city tonight.
They took a circuitous route to be certain they weren't followed. Hadlaug had been with them since the confrontation, watching for anyone following. Hadlaug was suspicious enough that anyone following him would be spotted.
Reaching the house they'd rented through an intermediary, they made a sweep of the area before entering.
Skelldyn awaited in a state of agitation. Not notably more than his normal level, so he didn't appear aware of anything.
'Any problems?' asked Skelldyn.
Thjorn said nothing, and the door slammed open before Skelldyn could ask again.
Hadlaug stormed in. 'Sons of bastards. What do they know?'
'What do who know?' asked Skelldyn.
'How much did you catch?' asked Augni.
'I caught Snaenjar and his dogs yapping at you,' said Hadlaug.
'Snaenjar?' Skelldyn glanced at the window.
'Quiet,' Hadlaug snapped.
Skelldyn backed away.
'They know who I am,' said Thjorn. The high from the confrontation had evaporated, and his disappointment turned to boredom. He made sure to keep the right level of arrogance in his tone. 'Someone there must have put two and two together, and arrived at an answer in the region of the truth. I'm inclined to attribute it to luck rather than actual thought.'
'What about the rest of us?' asked Hadlaug.
'I didn't ask.'
'Great.'
'Would you trust their answer?' asked Thjorn.
Hadlaug growled. 'This is more than was planned for.'
'More than you planned for, possibly,' said Thjorn.
There was the expected tensing at that. Hadlaug took offence easily. 'More than I'm being paid for.' So predictable.
'You're being paid plenty for the job,' said Augni. 'More than you could expect elsewhere.'
Hadlaug's gaze settled on him with the usual territorial challenge. 'I'm not getting enough to cover the threat we're under. And considering what those are worth,' he nodded at the bag which held the bars, 'I'm hardly getting a fair share of the spoils.'
'We're not selling them,' said Thjorn.
'Then what's the point of taking them?'
'For trade.'
'Isn't what you're trading for of value?'
Thjorn regarded him with an overly patient gaze. Some people required careful handling, gauged against their usefulness. 'You want to try selling arvinim? Do you have any idea how much one of those woul
d fetch? And – more importantly – how much attention it would draw?'
'Seems to me we've already got plenty of attention.'
'Yet you wish to draw more?'
'I want danger pay,' said Hadlaug.
'Considering our profession, danger pay is included in your fee.'
'I didn't agree on mixing it up with the locals,' said Hadlaug.
'Well I can't be expected to account for your ignorance, can I?' said Thjorn. That should be enough. He wouldn’t do them much good on the next job anyway.
Hadlaug's hand strayed for his sword, as did Augni's. Their eyes met.
'Your agreed pay is on the table,' Thjorn nodded to where he'd dumped a couple of pouches. 'If you're not happy with the terms, don't waste my time accepting them in the future.'
Hadlaug's hand eased away from the hilt. He took the pouch. 'Don't worry, I won't. In fact, let's not go meeting again at all.'
'Something to look forward to,' said Thjorn. 'Oh, and one thing.'
Hadlaug stopped halfway to the door.
'If you're concerned about Snaenjar and his boys, you might want to leave the city quickly.'
With another growl, Hadlaug stormed out.
Augni stared at Thjorn, who ignored him. He could guess what was coming, but retained the faint hope it would go away if he ignored it.
'I'm perfectly happy with the pay,' said Skelldyn, snatching the other pouch. 'Not too happy with the attention, so I'd like to leave soon.'
'The arranged place in Culvik,' said Thjorn.
Skelldyn's nod hadn't finished before he started for the door.
Augni waited until they were alone before speaking. 'That was stupid.'
'Yes it was,' said Thjorn. He let the mask of arrogance drop. Skelldyn may be more reliable than Hadlaug – in some ways – but Augni was the only one Thjorn trusted.
'I meant you,' said Augni.
'Me?' Thjorn asked with feigned innocence.
Augni’s gaze said he didn’t believe it. 'You've got someone out there with a grudge against you. Someone else. Somebody with a sizable arsenal of glyphed arms and armour.'
'Children's stuff,' said Thjorn.
'Violent, destructive children.'
'And you always warned me I was giving him too much, I know.' He’d given Hadlaug as much as was necessary.
Taking a deep breath, Augni seemed to abandon the argument. 'So we're still going ahead with Culvik?'
'After a quick thing in Thurkyl.'
'What's in Thurkyl?'
'They've a nice little wishing well that listens attentively to all complaints.'
Sighing, Augni took the hint. 'What about Hadlaug's role in the crew?'
'We'll need new muscle,' said Thjorn. 'Before we reach Thurkyl. Check around the Tournament, find the best you can buy.'
'Anything else?'
'Avoiding the locals might be an idea.'
'Thank you,' said Augni. Gathering his stuff he headed out.
Thjorn made a final sweep before leaving, but everything seemed to be in place. They’d done what he needed to here, and avoided serious trouble with the locals. One plate had finished spinning, and a few more had been set in motion. Time to move on to the next.