Page 83 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
“There is no place for men like us in this world,” Shayan grumbles.
“Are you looking for a job?” the waiter asks. It’s then that I notice that he is not intimidated by us. He is probably just playing his role too. Interesting. Maybe this is one of the guys Aylin mentioned- or at least he could be connected to them.
“Why?” Shayan snorts. “Do you have one to offer to us?”
“Maybe,” he says with a smirk.
“And why should I trust you?” Shayan huffs. “Wolves have robbed me of my arm. Who says you are going to be better?”
“How could you tell I’m a wolf?” the man demands to know.
Shayan looks him dead in the eye. “Do you think I would survive here if I couldn’t tell apart one stinky shifter from the other?”
“What do you want?” I ask him with a frown. “Or are you just here to insult us?”
“There is a delivery,” he says, tilting his head. “Make sure it arrives safely, no questions asked, and I might have a job for you.”
“Payment in advance,” I say.
The man takes some gold coins out of his pocket and puts them on the table before he looks at us. “If you fail, she will have your second arm,” he narrows his eyes to a glare, having them glint a dangerous red, something I haven’t seen before. “And, I will have your head.”
She? Who is he talking about?
Shayan doesn’t even flinch while I take the coins. “Where is the package? Where shall it be delivered to?”
The man smirks. “Wait for me to close the tavern at midnight.”
We nod and watch him shuffling away. Shayan tosses me a short glance but doesn’t say anything. Eventually, the both of us leave, not wanting to attract too much attention and decide to wait outside. In the darkness of the night, I use the opportunity to mind link Beta Quinn.
Did it go well?He asks me immediately.
I think so.We managed to get in contact with one of them. I think all of them, whoever is connected to the cult might have a tattoo. It’s just a feeling, though.I pause.Shayan and I need to do a job for him to gain his trust.
Alright, be careful, Royan.
I will. Just… we might not make it to the horses in time. If I don’t link you until tomorrow morning, make sure to get them.
Don’t worry, he reassures me.I will send two of our warriors incognito to get them. You just focus on the task ahead and stay focused. How is General Shayan coping?
It’s like he’s never done anything else, I say.
Good, I trust you! Make sure to stay safe, and if something goes wrong, link me!
I will, Beta, I promise.
Shayan and I wait for hours until the waiter, or rather, owner, closes the bar. We wait for him to send out his last guests before we approach him. He just hands us a small bag and then takes out a sheet of paper. “I hope one of you can read a map.”
“We both can,” I say.
“Here.” He hands me the paper. “Make sure the package gets delivered. Don’t get caught!”
With that, he goes back inside, closing the door firmly behind him. Shayan and I walk out of the village before peeking at the paper he handed us. “That’s…” I gape. “No-man's land!”
“Why are there so many uninhabited lands around your kingdom?” Shayan asks. “It seems like there is no-man's land everywhere.”
“It’s due to the landscape, to the nature of this place. It’s just not easy to inhabit, and it’s also safer not to share a border.” I frown while I check the map. “I knew this village was close to the eastern border, but I didn’t know they constantly cross it.”
“I doubttheydo,” Shayan sneers. “Or they wouldn’t send us to do it. It’s probably dangerous.”
