Shadowdance 01 - A Dance of Cloaks

then!” Torgar roared, swinging his sword in a wildly exaggerated arc. “Let’s have a fight, eh?”
    One of the thieves fell for the bait, lunging inward when Torgar should have been vulnerable. Instead a meaty fist crushed his face, his movement anticipated. When he collapsed, Torgar’s long sword pierced through his shoulder and tore free, severing bone and spilling blood across the floor. The remaining man glanced at Madelyn, clearing thinking to use her as a hostage. Torgar never gave him the time. He rushed the man, not at all afraid of his small dagger. He had range, skill, and sheer brute strength.
    Accepting a stab to the shoulder, Torgar returned the favor. His sword punched through the Spider’s chest and out his back, pinning him to the wall. The mercenary captain grabbed the man’s head with his hands, head-butted him, and then twisted violently. When he yanked his sword free, the man fell to the ground dead.
    “Gyah,” Torgar said, yanking the dagger out of his shoulder and examining it. The blade was serrated, and sure enough he’d felt it. “Mean little prick,” he said, tossing the dagger back atop the body. Taking in a deep breath, he turned and lifted Madelyn’s body.
    She was breathing.
    “Must be my lucky night,” Torgar said. He stole a long kiss from Madelyn, then exited the home. He untied his reins, slung Madelyn over his shoulders, and then mounted his horse. Madelyn curled in his lap like a child, Torgar snapped the reins and rode back toward Keenan’s wagons, hoping to catch up before they gained too much distance from Veldaren.
    “Happy fucking Kensgold, Thren,” Torgar said as he rode out the city gates and into the night air. “Hope you had as much fun tonight as I have.”

CHAPTER
36
    T hren had seen the smoke rising as he and Kayla returned from watching the Kensgold to ensure its disbandment. By the time they reached the city, there was no questioning its source. The Connington estate was on fire.
    “What would have made the damn fools start so early?” Thren wondered, his voice carrying a hard edge. “Leon isn’t anywhere near the city!”
    “Perhaps they encountered more resistance than we did at Maynard’s?” Kayla asked.
    Thren shook his head.
    “Whatever the reason, we need to hurry to the Gemcroft estate. If Leon’s is already burning, there’s little we can do there. Damn it! I had such wonderful plans to make him pay for Will’s death. At the very least, I need Maynard to die tonight.”
    He didn’t say why, of course. He’d never admit the danger hanging over his head from the priests of Karak because they had aided his son.
    They ran side by side, both panting from the exertion. When they reached the mansion, he saw a few of the Wolf Guild scattered about, keeping an eye on the roads. Cynric stood in one of the windows of the nearby homes. He cupped his hands to his mouth and howled.
    “That man needs his head nailed tighter to his neck,” Thren mumbled. The two of them hurried through the door to find the guildmaster waiting.
    “We’ve seen the smoke,” Cynric said. “Do you know anything about it? We hoped for a runner or two to clarify, but no one’s showed.”
    “We know as little as you then,” Thren said. “Damn. At least the mansion is destroyed. Have you seen anything here?”
    “Not a hint of prey,” Cynric said. “Rather boring, really. We almost went to join the feast at Leon’s. Hopefully you’ll remember that when the killing starts. We deserve our share.”
    Thren left the house, Kayla trailing after him. He walked through the open gate and into the mansion. Kadish was waiting for them.
    “I was wondering when you’d return,” the man said. “I’ve been wanting a straight answer about what to do with him.”
    He pointed to where James Beren lay slumped against a wall, his arms and legs bound tight. His eyes were open, but his mouth was gagged. Thren tilted his head as he thought.
    “Is the Ash Guild broken?” he asked.
    “We’ve killed all but a few,” Kadish said. “We’ll hunt down who we can, but most will just sign on with other guilds, including mine. They’re done.”
    “Good.” Thren turned to James and drew his sword. Kneeling down, he removed the gag from his mouth and smiled.
    “Do you see what happens when you resist me?” he asked. James nodded, his face bruised and purple. Thren stood and looked to the many members of both the Spider and Hawk Guilds standing about. “Do you all see