Delver Magic I: Sanctum's Breach, Jeff Inlo [buy e reader .txt] 📗

nose and picked up the engineer’s preliminary report. He spoke clearly and firmly as he read the findings aloud. His voice reaffirmed the overwhelming arrogance which exuded from his person like the smell of day old fish. When finished, he waved the papers pompously in front of him.

“I realize that this report tells us nothing we don’t already know,” he exclaimed. “I’m sure the rest of you did as I did and took a look around before coming here. I saw nothing which would indicate that anyone received any true damage. I do expect, however, that we will have to look out for those hoping to make false claims. I’m sure there are more than a few undesirables that may see this as a chance to gain access to public funds. You know what I mean, some poor slob thinks his house is starting to wear down and will come to us saying the quake damaged his home. He’ll expect we use town funds to repair problems that existed seasons ago. We simply can’t allow that.”

Consprite paused for a moment and reflected upon his own devious thoughts. He shuffled papers about as if looking for a particular report. “We also, however, should not be so unsympathetic as to refuse funds to those that truly suffered damage. After all, an earthquake is an act of God, so to speak. We have to help the truly deserving members of our community in these trying times. I did notice some small damage to some of the local establishments very near here. They only appeared as small cracks in the foundation, but we can’t let these things go without quick repair. Some of these establishments serve every member on this board. In order to show our gratitude, uh excuse me, our understanding to their plight, I suggest we set aside ten percent of the town funds to refurbish these local enterprises. Any objections?”

Samuel Cofort spoke quickly and with an edge to his voice. “I will not object as long as another two percent of the fund is apportioned for repairs to the town hall. I’m sure this very meeting room, as well of some of the offices, might need repairs. For all we know, the very chairs we are sitting on may have received some unseen damage. It would be wise to correct such problems before anyone gets hurt. I think it would also be a good idea to replace the older furniture in our personal offices.”

Consprite nodded his head in knowing approval. “I agree, Samuel. Forgive me for being so shortsighted as not to recognize such a splendid idea myself.” He turned his head to the others around the table. “Any other suggestions?”

“I have a question,” Elizabeth Bent exclaimed with a challenging tone. Her position as the only woman upon the council gave her status in the community, but she thirsted for more. “Who will decide which establishments receive funds and how much?”

Consprite did not hesitate in responding. “We shall form a committee of two. As mayor, I shall take one seat and, since you raised the concern, you will have the other. The committee shall be responsible for distributing funds. Does this meet with your approval?”

“Yes it does,” she replied with a guarded smile.

The final two council members were about to object but Consprite, as was his way, spoke quickly to make the situation quite clear. “Fine, with your support as well as Samuel’s, we already have the necessary three votes to approve the measure. Although any opposition may be viewed as hostile toward the town in a time of need, I will now ask any council member opposed to speak for the record.”

The room remained quiet.

Consprite did not allow the silence to prevail for long. “Now that we have quickly and judiciously met the immediate needs created by this incident, I open the floor to other suggestions on how we may best serve the town.”

The councilwoman again seized the opportunity to take the initiative. “I suggest we send out investigators to the east and west. I think it may serve us well if we identify how other areas fared against this small quake. Other towns may not have been as fortunate as our own. There may be a need for labor and materials of which we might be able to supply, for a fee of course.”

“I see,” Consprite grunted as he placed a hand to his smoothly shaven chin.

The councilwoman proceeded as the mayor continued to solemnly reflect upon the suggestion.

“I know of many shopkeepers with a surplus of certain goods. I’m sure they would be grateful if they found an immediate market for their items. There are also a few artisans available that I’m sure would be willing to extend their talents to out of town opportunities, especially if the price is right. While our town is growing, there are still carpenters and masons eager to find new jobs. This quake may have created such an opportunity.”

“An interesting proposal,” Consprite hummed with an equally guarded tone. The prospect seemed inviting, but he found it distasteful that the idea was presented by Bent. He knew of her secret desires to unseat him as mayor. It was his gift to see through the charade of others, to understand the motivations, the aspirations, and the desires of both his friends and foes. He would only allow Bent to take his place if he was able to move up the political ladder, not down. Thus, he dealt with most of her proposals with great care. “And how should we proceed with such an initiative?”

“I suggest we send someone who will investigate and send us word of the situation before we get involved. That way, we appear concerned with our neighbors but not foolhardy. I suggest we hire delvers. They will move across the countryside far faster than any of us. They can assess the situation and make first contact with those needing the greatest help.”

“Yes, yes,” Consprite said quickly. He turned a pen in his fingers. “This is very true. We would not waste time or effort in the less lucrative areas. Any delver worth his salt would surely give us a great advantage.” He looked up with a nod of acceptance. “I heartily approve.”

“I oppose the measure,” Cofort said sullenly. “I do not trust delvers. They always require large payments and no one can ever really tell if they do what they say they do. No one can follow them, no one can check up on them.”

“I realize that delvers are expensive,” Consprite admitted candidly, “but that’s because no one can do the job they can do. I realize that it is difficult to check on them, but just imagine if we sent out regular men. They would need a week’s worth of supplies and equipment. Surely, that more than offsets the larger payment for the services of a delver.”

“But we don’t know that the damage to other towns was any worse than it was here,” Cofort insisted. “If so, we will have paid a delver for nothing.”

“True, but it’s also just as possible that villages east and west of here may require a good deal of our supplies and labor. I’m not willing to miss that opportunity.”

Cofort heaved a heavy sigh. He would not, however, give up his complaint so easily. “I still say we can’t trust them.”

“I don’t really trust anyone,” Consprite admitted in a cold voice. “And I don’t really care for delvers all that much, either. But they are, as I said before, the best suited for this task. We’re not asking them to guard our funds, we’re asking them to scout out territory, and that is what they do. Now, I don’t want to hear anymore about not wanting to hire delvers. We’ve done it before, and they have come in most useful. I move that we enlist two delvers, one to go due west and another to explore east. Who will second?”

“I second the motion,” the councilwoman said brusquely while she glared at Cofort.

“Fine. If there is no other opposition, the measure is passed.”

The final two council members remained silent.

Consprite now detected a chance to drop a potentially difficult problem into the councilwoman’s lap. Seeking out delvers was not always a favorable activity. Their skills made them great spies and the ignorant often identified them with treachery. It would certainly not do well for any of the council members if they were seen cavorting with delvers and perhaps making secret deals. He clasped his hands together and spoke almost innocently, as if that were possible, about the prospect.

“It seems all we have to do now is find and hire delvers for the job. I think Elizabeth should handle this, seeing it was her idea.” He looked to her almost defying her to protest, but she did not. He continued with a calculating tone. “I take it that means you accept. Since this is a delicate matter, I suggest you find two of the better delvers. Send them off immediately. You can pay them up to half of their fee before they leave. I’ll leave the negotiations to you. I would suggest you send the more trustworthy you find to explore the west. It is there where the quake originated. I have a feeling that they’ll find something important, and I’ve learned to trust these feelings. They’ve got me where I am now.”

#

The town council was not alone in its interest over the quake. Members of the Church of Godson also could not simply forget the earlier tremor. Their attention, however, seemed edged more out of concern, almost fear. While its attendants were few, confusion and alarm prevailed through their numbers hours after the quake passed. The followers gathered all that day. Many came out at frequent intervals, stood upon the tall stone steps, and looked out to the west with a grim burden. The church’s leader, an inconspicuous gentleman, continuously appeared at the door to calm the members and guide them back inside. He himself, however, could not avoid glancing out to the west with an equally pained expression.

This anxiety was noticed by those who passed the church, but it was discounted. Town residents simply shrugged or shook their heads. They considered what they knew of these zealots, and rumor and gossip constantly questioned the very sanity of the Godson sect.

On the whole, the church and its small group of followers appeared gripped by legends of nonsense, legends which included such bizarre creatures that anyone of rational thought must dismiss as pure fable. If this church spoke of powerful mages and sorcerers, where were such wizards today? And what of these strange races which supposedly coexisted with humans? It was all obvious madness. Yet, rumors raced wildly that this was the embodiment of the church’s beliefs.

The distaste for the Church of Godson was almost understandable, for Connel was populated solely by humans. Of all the wild creatures rumored as part of the church’s text, only the delver existed within the realm of the humans. Certainly, that was not enough to substantiate the presence of other strange races, and no where near sufficient to bring any credence to the followers of Godson. Thus, the attendants were usually ridiculed or ignored, as they were ignored this day.

#

Ryson Acumen, a purebred delver, moved quickly on foot toward the setting sun. The soles of his boots barely grazed the surface of the road, creating just enough impact to propel him forward. The soft step reduced the chance of leaving a trail as well as lessening the amount of friction which might slow him. The striking of foot against ground conceived the lightest of sounds, nearly inaudible until he was upon you. How strange this sight was; pumping legs moving like pistons at break neck speed, yet