Hunted Sorcery (Jon Oklar Book 2), B.T. Narro [digital book reader txt] 📗

We heard voices inside. The curtains on the windows were closed.

“We’re not open!” I recognized Red’s voice.

“Do I sound like I care if you’re open? Unlock this door or I will break it down. We will speak right now.”

“What is this about?”

“Open this door!” Reuben yelled furiously.

If he was pretending to be angry, then he was deceiving me.

I could faintly hear Red’s voice, “Stop Burda. You will not open—stop!”

The lock slid. The door opened.

In the light of day, Burda was even more beautiful, not that Reuben even saw her as he stomped past her on his way to a nervous Red standing in the middle of the dining room. The two other servers, both men older than us, were getting tables ready but froze as Reuben entered.

“You are the tavernkeep of this establishment, correct?”

“Who are you?” Red countered fearfully.

“I’m Reuben Langston. My father might not own this building yet, but he will buy it for me just so I can double your rent if you allow the harassment of your servers to continue.”

Red glared at Burda. “What lies did you tell—?” But he stopped himself as he noticed me standing near her. “You! Wait, what is this?”

So it seemed that Burda hadn’t mentioned anything about me to Red. Good. Reuben should continue with our initial plan.

“Pay attention!” Reuben ordered as he stepped in front of Red. “Unless you have the coin to purchase this large tavern, you’d better listen to me right now. This has gone on long enough. You will put an end to the verbal and physical harassment of your inappropriate customers or you will pay twice your rent. Three times if you really anger me!”

I had thought Red was the owner of the tavern, but Reuben had explained to me that a man owning his own tavern would be like a farmer owning the farmland he worked. It was possible, but apparently it just about never happened around Newhaven. In Bhode, everyone did own their own homes and farms. We still had to pay taxes for the land, but there wasn’t rent involved.

Unfortunately, Red didn’t seem worried by Reuben’s threat. “I could take this up with the king. He’s a just ruler who would put an end to this nonsense. Might even toss you in a cell for the trouble.”

“Oh really?” Reuben sounded amused.

“That’s right, I could. I’ll march right down to the castle and send word that the nobles are trying to toss out us hardworking commoners. He dethroned the last king who didn’t care about his people. I’m sure he would love to hear about your threat!”

I couldn’t help but smirk. Red really was convincing, at least by his tone, and brave as well. But that was about to come to an end.

“You remember my friend?” Reuben gestured at me. I gave a little wave.

“The servant. He works for your father, I bet.”

“He’s no servant,” Reuben said. “In fact, he and I have a lot in common. We are both sorcerers of the king.”

“That’s bullshit. You come in here spouting lies in my place of business. Now I’m asking you to leave, or I will fetch the guards.”

“You really don’t believe me?” Reuben tested. “Need a demonstration?”

“First you say you’re a Langston. Now you say you’re one of them sorcerers of the king! I don’t know what you are, but you’re trespassing now. Get out and don’t come back, or—”

“Jon, go ahead.”

I already had the spell ready. I hit the table to my side with a powerful blast of dvinia. It shot into the wall, then fell with a crash. There was a large crack in the wall where it had struck.

The noise was deafening, startling everyone but the two of us. Red gaped at it, then at me.

It was silent for a long while.

“You know…” Reuben began coolly, “had Jon really been a servant looking for white wine, he could’ve been killed when you sent him off with those men last night. He gave you a chance to warn him, and you did not. I’d even go so far as to say that you probably knew those men were involved with dark mages.”

“I told him everything I knew!” Red claimed. “I had no idea they were involved with dark mages! I swear!”

“Do you think the king would believe that? You could march down there right now and ask him. I’ll even go with you.”

“There’s no need for any of that.”

“Damn right there isn’t. Because you are going to stop allowing this lady to be harassed.” He gestured at Burda, who still stood by the open door. She had her hand on it as if she’d intended to close the door a long time ago but had forgotten to act.

“How am I supposed to do that? Can’t report them. They aren’t breaking any laws.”

“You have seen them touch me!” Burda said, finally slamming the door.

“I haven’t seen anything of that nature.”

“He lies!” she told Reuben.

“I know he does,” Reuben said without taking his eyes off Red. He stepped forward and grabbed the man by his shirt.

I was worried Reuben might hit the man as I intervened. “Look, Red, just toss out the patrons who bother your workers. It’s not even a difficult thing to do. If they refuse to leave, get a guard. It’s what any decent man would do in your position. Your patrons will eventually learn that they cannot bother Burda, or they’ll find themselves in a dungeon cell.”

“I’d rather you let it keep going,” Reuben threatened. “My father will buy this building and put it in my name. Then we’ll see just how much you’ll have to pay.”

“Fine. I agree.”

“Was that so hard?” Reuben asked. He let go of the man’s shirt.

We started toward the door, but Reuben stopped and turned around.

“And if you dismiss this lady from your service or do anything to her as revenge, then you will suffer. She didn’t do anything wrong. She didn’t even report this. Jon saw it all happen before he lured out those