shot out and connected solidly on the side of the man’s jaw. Such was the force, he spun almost completely around before falling hard on his face.
Ethan was dumbstruck by the sudden outburst of violence.
“We should get out of here,” Jonas whispered in his ear.
Specter pushed the door closed. “I’m afraid it’s far too late for that my gullible friends.”
Ethan’s heart froze. “What do you mean?”
“I mean you should have listened to your companion.” He drew a dagger from his belt. “I’ll have your weapons, purses and packs, if you please.”
Ethan’s eyes darted back and forth. There was nowhere to run. Specter blocked the door and dozens of armed men were on the other side.
“Do as he says,” Jonas instructed. He removed his sword and purse.
Ethan glared angrily. “So you lied to us?”
Specter threw his head back in laughter. “Of course I did. Otherwise I would have had to knock you both out and carry you back here all by myself. That’s way too much work. Far better to have you walk.”
“But why?” Ethan demanded while handing over his dagger and money.
“Gold, dear boy. Gold.”
Once Specter had gathered all their possessions, he instructed Lark to have them taken to the cells. Not wanting to risk another thrashing, the man obeyed without complaint.
He gave a loud whistle. Seconds later three armed men arrived and forced them through the crowd to the other side of the room. There, Ethan saw a large iron door. An older man with a long scraggly grey beard and the creases of age carved deeply into his face was sitting on a stool just beside it. When he saw the group approaching he hastily unlocked the door and stepped aside. One of their escorts gave it a hard shove.
With a loud screech, the door swung open. As they stepped through, Ethan was confronted by a series of small cages, each just large enough to accommodate one person.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured.
Jonas said nothing.
They were placed in cells directly across from one another. As the men left and the main door boomed shut, Ethan fought back the desire to weep. His arrogance and dislike for Jonas had led them here. And now they would likely die.
“We’re not dead yet,” Jonas said, sensing his despair.
The room was lit by a single lantern hanging beside the door. But even in this dim light Ethan could see that there was only one way in or out.
The time dragged by. How long they sat there, he couldn’t tell. But after a while the voices outside became quiet. When the door was eventually reopened by a young man bringing them a scrap of bread and cup of water each, Ethan could see that the room beyond was now empty.
“How long are we to be kept here?” Jonas asked. But the boy only shook his head and hurried away immediately after passing them their food.
Reluctantly they ate the meager repast and eventually, when their fatigue overcame their fear, both of them fell asleep.
“Wake up!”
Ethan stirred and cracked open his eyes. Standing just outside his cell was Specter. He was holding two sets of shackles.
“Time to talk to Thrace,” he said. He looked back at Jonas who was struggling to his feet. “You too, old man.”
Ethan spat on the floor and then held out his hands. Once he and Jonas were both secured, Specter led them back into the main hall.
The tables had been moved against the walls to create space. At least a hundred men had formed a semicircle around the ornate oak chair Ethan had noticed previously. This was now occupied by a muscular man with a bald head and a patch over his right eye. A large gold hoop hung from his left ear, and his face was tattooed with intricate spiraling patterns. A sword with a jewel encrusted hilt leaned casually against the chair’s arm. Ethan could only assume that this was Thrace.
“So this is your bounty, Specter?” Thrace asked.
He shoved Ethan and Jonas roughly forward so that they were directly in front of the leader. “It is.”
After scrutinizing them for an uncomfortably long moment, Thrace smiled, revealing three gold teeth. “I must say…they don’t look like anyone the Empire would burn a whole town over.” His eyes fixed on Ethan. “Do you know who I am, boy?”
Ethan shook his head.
“Specter didn’t tell you?”
“Only that your name is Thrace,” he replied, trying not to sound meek.
“That’s right. I’m the leader of this band of vermin.” He looked to the crowd. “Isn’t that