The Tomni'Tai Scroll (Book 1)

  The Netherworld Gate

  Book One:

  The Tomni’Tai Scroll

  By

  Sam Ferguson

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this book are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  The Netherworld Gate

  Book One:

  The Tomni’Tai Scroll

  Copyright © 2013 by Sam Ferguson

  All Rights Reserved

  For John, Dan, and Joe

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTTEEN

  Other Books by Sam Ferguson

  About the Author

  CHAPTER ONE

  Kai sat on the rough wooden steps of a small house, watching the jewelry shop across the street. People filtered by stopping at various merchant stalls and circling around the block. Some of the newly arrived merchants sold items from the side of their wagons, while others had had the forethought to secure an actual space from which to display and sell their goods.

  “Come buy the finest spices in all of the twin deserts!” exclaimed a short, portly man dressed in silken robes of gold and red. “You won’t find better prices anywhere else, I guarantee it!”

  Kai brought a wooden cup to his mouth and sipped a bit of tea. The motion was just enough to catch the merchant’s eye. The man turned and pointed to Kai.

  “You sir, surely you can appreciate mint. I have the strongest mint in all the land. I brought it all the way from Tenwood. Do you know Selemet Island? The elves there have a special kind of green thumb!” The merchant turned to his wagon and produced a small white bag. He nodded to his thin, leather-faced driver and held the bag out. Then, he spun round to address Kai again. “Have a sniff of this, I guarantee you will not find a better cup of tea than from this here bag!”

  The driver took the bag and bounced across the dirt road, kicking up a bit of dust. Kai shook his head. He didn’t want tea, or any attention at all for that matter. The driver kept coming on. Kai sighed and slid the corner of his robe aside, revealing a scabbard.

  The driver stopped and turned on his heels. He knew better than to challenge a man in this town, no matter how big the potential sale. The merchant stood perplexed as the driver put the bag back and whispered into his ear. The merchant’s belly jiggled as he chuckled and turned to address other passers-by.

  Kai grinned ever so slightly and turned his attention to the crowds flowing by.

  He studied the people carefully, patiently scanning them until a skinny, young man with brown hair walked around the corner of the jewelry shop. The young man glanced once down the street before heading into the shop. Kai set his cup down and rose from his spot on the steps. He shook the dust from his robes and started for the shop. He kept his face pointed to the ground, letting his gray hair fall around his face as he leaned heavily on his cane for support.

  From the corner of his eye he saw the driver reflexively nudge the merchant and the two made sure to keep a distance between them.

  Kai hobbled over to the shop. His hand trembled as he pushed the door open and walked into the shop. He tilted his face to the side ever so slightly, allowing him to survey the room. A series of old glass cabinets lined the shop forming a “U” in front of Kai. At one time the shop had held more valuable pieces, before the merchant caravans had edged their way into the market. Now, most of the pieces were modest, very few of them made of gold or silver. Many were made of amber, copper, glass, or other stones. Despite this, Kai knew that a handful of items from this shop were still considered a good haul for an average thief.

  A pair of young girls pranced in front of a full length mirror, trying on wooden jewelry and giggling to themselves. A middle-aged man stood behind the counter, addressing the young man who had come in before Kai. No one else was there, except for a fat, orange cat stretching in the sunlight streaming in from a window in the back.

  Kai tilted his head to observe the skinny, suspected thief. A large, misshapen mole on the young man’s left forearm confirmed his identity. The thief glanced back over his shoulder at Kai, but upon seeing Kai’s appearance, quickly lost interest in him. Kai shuffled over to a counter on the opposite side of the shop and beckoned for the shopkeeper with his hand. The shopkeeper hesitated, glancing at the young man, but then he came over to Kai.

  “Can I help you, sir?” the shopkeeper asked politely.

  “I want something nice for my granddaughter,” Kai said in a low, harsh voice.

  The shopkeeper nodded, but kept glancing back to the young man. “What exactly are you looking for?” the shopkeeper asked.

  Kai turned his head to see the young man standing near a necklace stand that had a small mirror next to it. Kai smiled and looked back to the jeweler. Kai figured the thief was using the mirror next to the necklace to keep an eye on the shopkeeper. It was a clever trick, but Kai had years of experience on the thief, and was ready.

  “It is my granddaughter’s birthday today, and I want to get her something red,” Kai said, answering the jeweler’s question. “Red is her favorite color.”

  “Very well, sir. I have something that may suit her taste right here,” the shopkeeper said, pointing to a red necklace.

  “No, I don’t want wooden beads, she is turning sixteen today. I am looking for something fit for a young lady.”

  The shopkeeper smiled and nodded. “Well, then I have something here, but it is more expensive.” He pointed to a hairpin on the bottom shelf of the jewelry case. “It is inlaid with small rubies.”

  Kai nodded his head. He kept his eye on the reflection in the glass case in front of him, watching the suspected thief while the shopkeeper went for the hairpin. Just as Kai suspected, as soon as the shopkeeper bent down, the thief grabbed a handful of necklaces from the stand. The young man then turned to run out of the shop. Kai whirled around and struck out with his cane catching the thief in the stomach. The young man crumpled to the floor coughing and gasping.

  The two girls shrieked and backed into the far corner.

  “What’s going on here?” the shopkeeper asked as he shot up from behind the jewelry case.

  “Everything is under control,” Kai said in his normal voice as he removed his wig with his left hand revealing short, blonde hair. “I have been tracking this little thief for two days now.” Kai bent down and retrieved the necklaces from the thief’s hands. “He won’t be bothering you anymore.”

  “Th- thank you,” the shopkeeper said, eyeing Kai from head to toe. Apparently the disguise had been very effective. He reached out and took the necklaces from Kai.

  “My pleasure,” Kai said. Then he stooped down and bound the thief’s wrists together with a thick strap of leather.

  “You think that’s gonna hold me?” the thief scoffed.

  Kai chuckled as he placed his left knee square on the thief’s back and quickly pulled out a pair of iron shackles. “Perhaps not,” he replied. “But I would love to see you try to run while wearing these nice little anklets.” Kai secured the shackles and then grabbed the thief by the back of his neck and hoisted him up to his feet.

  The thief spit in Kai’s face.

  Kai wiped his cheek and backhanded his prisoner. He caught
sight of the shopkeeper’s arched eyebrow, but he paid the shopkeeper no mind. Kai winked to the young girls and then shoved the thief out of the shop.

  As he exited, the driver that had tried to offer a bag of tea nudged his employer and they both turned to regard Kai. The spice merchant cocked his head and gave a slight salute with his hand. Kai returned the gesture with a nod.

  “Please, let me go,” the thief begged. He tugged against Kai, but was not strong enough to wrest free. “You think you are doing something great, but I needed those.”

  “I have heard this kind of story before.” Kai stopped and turned the thief around. “Go ahead and tell me why you are so special I should let you walk away with a handful of necklaces you didn’t pay for.”

  “I can’t,” the thief sighed.

  “Thought so.” Kai nudged him onward.

  “You don’t understand.”

  “What is there to understand? This district is comprised of generational criminals and vagabonds who mistakenly feel that the world owes them everything.” Kai stopped again and turned the thief around to look into the young man’s eyes. “Tell me I’m wrong, boy. Tell me your father was an honest and upright man.” Kai glared down at the thief, but his prisoner refused to make eye contact. “Maggots like you make my stomach churn,” Kai said as he shoved the young man onward. “You aren’t oppressed or starving because of the Rangers or anyone else. You are simply too lazy to make an honest living.”

  “It isn’t like that,” the thief grumbled. Kai just marched him onward through the streets.

  A short while later the two arrived at a large gray building adjacent to Rasselin’s south wall. In front of the heavy oaken doors two sentries stood at attention, holding pikes and carrying swords on their waists. Kai nodded to the city guardsmen and walked inside. He led the thief to a windowless room that had only a single wooden chair inside. He sat the thief down and attached his shackles to a chain on the floor. Then he went around behind the thief and took a pair of irons off of the wall and clasped them onto the thief’s wrists.

  “I do hope you are comfortable,” Kai said.

  “I feel right at home,” the thief snorted.

  “Enjoy it,” Kai said sarcastically. “I promise you that when Captain Lador comes in, you will not be comfortable at all.” Kai left the room and closed the door behind him. He locked the door from the outside and then stood in front of the door.

  A few minutes later the oak doors opened. Sunlight glinted off the dust blown in with the dry, late afternoon desert wind. “I heard you caught him,” Lador grinned.

  “Yes, sir,” Kai said. “He hasn’t said much though.”

  “And I won’t say anything, so you may as well let me go!” the thief yelled from inside the room.

  “Apparently he has good ears,” Lador commented.

  “He also has a big mouth,” Kai put in.

  “Very well,” Lador sighed. “What are the charges exactly?”

  “Two counts of petty theft,” Kai replied.

  “What, were you bored?” Captain Lador smirked.

  Kai shrugged, “It’s been a slow week, so I have been helping out some of the shop keepers.”

  “Tell me truly, what is going on?” Lador whispered.

  Kai leaned in. “I am trailing a group of men I suspect as being connected with the recent abductions, and I think this fledgling thief owes them money.”

  Lador nodded. “I see. What is your recommendation?” Lador asked.

  “Maximum sentence,” Kai replied.

  “Do you ever recommend anything else?” Lador chuckled.

  Kai shrugged and moved aside. “After you,” he offered.

  “Very well,” Lador replied. Then he pushed the door open.

  Kai entered right after Lador and closed the door behind them. He watched as Captain Lador walked around to face the young thief.

  “What is your name?” Lador asked.

  “Seymour Butts,” the thief replied with a sneer.

  “That’s very clever,” Lador replied, “but I’ve heard that one before.” Lador reached down and grabbed the thief’s chin with his right hand and tilted it up so he could look the young man in the eyes. “Let me make one thing clear. I can, and will, add time to your sentence for refusing to cooperate.” Lador let go of the thief’s chin and stood back up. “What is your name?”

  “I am Kevyn, son of Devyn Lendal.”

  “Good, I am glad to see your attitude improve,” Lador said as he wrote the name down. “Will you confess to your crimes?” Lador asked.

  “He already told you what I did,” Kevyn said, glancing over his shoulder at Kai.

  “Yes, he told me the charges against you,” Lador said with a nod. “Why would you steal items from shops in the third district?”

  “Why does someone take anything?” Kevyn shot back. “Because they want it, but they can’t afford it.”

  “Indeed,” Lador said with a grimace. “So you were not starving, or in need of means to buy food for yourself or your family?”

  “Nope,” Kevyn countered. His voice was strong and confident, but Kai could see his feet twitching nervously back and forth.

  “How about to pay back those three rough characters you were with last night at the Winking Star?” Kai put in.

  Kevyn looked to the floor. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Try again,” Kai countered. “I was there, watching you.”

  Kevyn shook his head and looked to the wall. “They said if I don’t pay them back, they will take my sister,” he said with a humbled look on his face.

  “What do you mean they will take your sister?” Lador asked.

  “I can’t tell you. If they find out, they’ll kill me, and my sister.”

  Lador knelt in front of Kevyn. “Kai, what is the maximum sentence allowed for petty theft?”

  “The maximum sentence is one month for every count of petty theft,” Kai replied.

  “Then Kevyn will spend a week in the dungeon for each item he stole,” Lador said. Lador locked eyes with Kevyn. “If you cooperate with us, we will protect your sister.”

  Kevyn shook his head. “You can’t, it isn’t just the three from the tavern. There are more of them. They’ll know I talked.”

  Lador shook his head. “If you serve in the dungeon for two weeks, that should convince them that you only talked about stealing. If you tell us everything about these men, we can put an end to them.”

  Kevyn looked to Kai for a moment, then back to Lador. “I don’t know who else they work with. You won’t be able to stop them.”

  “Then tell me where your sister is, and I will put her in a safe place,” Kai offered.

  Kevyn bit his lower lip. Finally, he nodded.

  “Kai, you will escort Kevyn to the dungeon. Get the information from him and then come and find me.”

  “Of course, sir,” Kai replied with a bow of his head. Then Captain Lador stood up and made for the door.

  *****

  When Kai exited the dungeon office later that day, he did not go straight home. He strolled through the market district and bought some things from the few merchants still selling their wares. He picked up a bottle of cider, and a small hunk of ham that he could share with his sister. He arrived home early in the evening and walked in just as his sister was walking out.

  “Kai, I am going to go out for a stroll. I promised Jenedina that I would meet her tonight,” Sebina announced in her delicate voice.

  Kai looked to the ham and sighed. “Alright, but stay away from the inns, there is a large merchant band in town and I don’t want-”

  “Kai, you worry too much!” Sebina interrupted. “I will be fine, brother, and I won’t be out late, I promise. I will be back by nine.” With that she kissed him on the cheek, put on her shawl and walked out of the small, one room house, closing the door behind her.

  “I am not being over protective,” Kai said to the door. “I simply know that merchant groups can get a li
ttle rowdy. If I was overprotective I would follow her.” A sly smile crossed his face as he contemplated doing that very thing. “No, I won’t do that,” He said as he shook off the grin. He turned and put the ham on a wooden plate on the table. He opened the cider and took a drink. The liquid was quite warm, and a bit sour from days of sitting in the sun. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve and set the bottle next to the ham.

  He glanced back to the door. Something urged him to follow her. “She is a grown woman, a full twenty-two years.” He shrugged off the feeling and turned to plant himself in the wooden rocking chair at the end of the table. “She isn’t the little baby I raised anymore, she is independent.” Kai nodded to himself, finally convinced by his own reasoning. He grabbed the bottle between his left fore-finger and thumb and put it back to his lips. His eyes went back to the door. The feeling nagged him again.

  Kai looked in the mirror and scolded himself, “If you don’t quit worrying about her you will make your hair go gray!” He took two sips of cider and then set the bottle down on the table next to him. His earlier discussion with Kevyn came into his thoughts. He rose from the rocker and straightened his sword belt. He looked back to his reflection in the mirror and shrugged helplessly.

  *****

  Rain plitted off of Talon’s leather over cloak as he strode toward the Lonely Man Inn. Talon pushed open the creaky, wooden door and scanned the room. He first saw John, the barkeep, standing behind the bar polishing a large glass mug. Then he saw an older gentleman dressed in woolen trousers and a green silk tunic, sitting at the bar and slurping soup from his bowl like an ill-mannered child. The rest of the tables were empty. A dying fire crackled in the hearth, with a large black kettle above it. Talon could smell the onions and beef. It seemed that was all John ever cooked at the inn.

  Talon slowly removed his over cloak and hung it near the door. The older gentleman continued slurping his soup without bothering to look up when Talon approached the bar. Travelers at this inn usually knew better than to show any interest in other peoples’ business.