Page 27 of Camriel
He left his apartment, making sure the door locked behind him.The keycards didn’t work without electricity, but he’d found metal keys that worked in their stead.Even the modern world needed to rely on old technology sometimes.
Rahab’s only regret about claiming the penthouse was the long climb up and down the stairs.The elevator would have traversed the distance in less than a minute.Like everything that ran on electricity, it was inoperable.
He exited the stairwell, then swore beneath his breath when he saw Xathan lurking in the lobby.
“Lord,” Xathan said, somehow knowing his leader would be leaving his apartment today.“How may I assist you?”
Rahab figured he might as well use his minion since he had information he required.“Lead me to the politician’s office,” he ordered.Phul and Lachial were standing near the gold velvet furniture, discussing their search of the city.They hadn’t encountered any Knights of Order or cambions so far, but they still had a lot of territory to cover.
Snapping his fingers, Rahab got his second in command’s attention.Phul hurried over with Lachial on his heels as their commander strode towards the door.“You’re heading out?”Phul asked in surprise.
“Obviously,” Rahab said with an eyeroll.“I’ve decided it’s time to pay Oliver Giamano a visit.”
“How many soldiers should we take with us, Lord?”Lachial queried.
“Five,” Rahab decided.“We wouldn’t want to cause too much of a scene,” he added.
“Exactly my thinking, Lord,” Xathan said in approval.Rahab shot him a dour look, but didn’t respond.
Phul chose two more warriors to bring up the rear as Xathan led their small band outside.
“Mr.Giamano’s office is at the south end of 5thAvenue, Lord,” Xathan said, indicating the avenue they were currently on.
Rahab took the lead, since he didn’t need a guide after all.He grimaced at the stench of rotting bodies as he strode down the avenue.Cars had been abandoned by their owners when it became obvious no one was going anywhere.Most were yellow cabs.The taxis were everywhere as he glanced down the side streets he passed.
A trio of filthy humans surged out of an alley, brandishing knives.Rahab motioned for Lachial to take them out.
“Give us your valuables,” one of the fetid humans snarled.
“If you insist,” Lachial said.He held out his hand and summoned his dark gray sword.The men gaped at the weapon in shock, eyes greedily taking in the large rubies that adorned it.The soldier swung the sword and decapitated the lead thug.He struck twice more in quick succession before the other two could run away, cutting off their screams.
His sword vanished and Rahab continued on as if they hadn’t been momentarily interrupted.
Several more bands of unwashed scumbags attempted to intercept them during their stroll.Lachial took most of them down, since murder was his favorite pastime.Phul and the other two soldiers assisted him when they needed to.Xathan preferred to use his mind rather than his weapon.He could fight as fiercely as his comrades, but his time was better spent plotting.
Rahab stopped when Xathan pointed at two men wearing blue uniforms ahead.They were guarding the door to a building.“That’s Mr.Giamano’s office,” his lackey said.“The police officers tend to shoot anyone who tries to get too close.”
“So I see,” Rahab said, eyeing the corpses that had been dragged to the other side of the road.Their clothing was riddled with blood and bullet holes.“How am I supposed to speak to this politician without being forced to kill his watchdogs?”
Xathan had already worked out a plan, of course.“If you would permit me, I could approach them on my own, Lord,” he offered.“I can inform them that you wish to form an alliance with someone in power.We can offer our services as guards in return for certain favors.”
It wasn’t easy to hide his dislike of his smug minion.Rahab nodded as if Xathan had merely suggested what he’d already been thinking.“I’m sure he’ll be glad for more assistance when it comes to security,” he said.The windows to the politician’s office had been boarded over.Shattered glass had been swept aside to clear the sidewalk.
Most of the windows along 5thAvenue had been broken by looters.Clothing, jewelry and other goods lay strewn all over the place after battles had been fought over the expensive items.
Xathan held his hands out to show he was unarmed as he approached the officers.They put their hands on their guns, watching him warily.
“What do you want?”the chubby, balding one asked.His colleague was taller, thinner and had short red hair.
“My commander wishes to speak to Mr.Giamano,” Xathan said with a congenial smile.
“About what?”the redhead demanded.
“It seems Manhattan has become rather dangerous lately,” the soldier pointed out, gesturing at the bodies across the street.“We seek to form an alliance that will be beneficial to us all.”
The chubby cop arched his eyebrow at his colleague.“What do you think?”he whispered.
“I think this guy is as slimy as an eel,” the taller officer replied.“But Mr.Giamano told us to keep watch for anyone who isn’t a complete idiot who might be useful.”
