The Name of Evil Chapter 5

Regaar Doesn’t Give Away Big Prizes

“Pay attention!” Hilko’s tense voice brought Silna out of her memories.

“Yeah, I got it.” She stiffened.

As they wound their way through the abandoned shafts, the man and woman focused on the intentionally obscure signs engraved on the rock walls of the tunnel. While Silna and Hilko knew the maze and most of the tunnel rats who lived there, the twisting and climbing tunnels could still confuse the senses. A simple mistake could lead them to instant death.

 Over the years, many original miners placed deadly traps to keep out rivals along with the king’s men. Many of the pitfalls remained unmarked. As the Guryos slowly took over the caves, they engraved unique signs on the walls to guide them. Thieves and robbers joined those doomed by class status to find asylum here.

Still, the tunnels remained a dangerous place for the inhabitants. Even the most experienced people might miss a marking, eventually dying from an unidentified trap or becoming lost forever within the maze. No one could know all the paths within the labyrinth of interconnected tunnels.

After finding the last fork which led to the main chamber, which they called the wheelhouse, the pair entered the beehive chamber. The large room, where six tunnels met, also acted as Regaar’s main chamber to his underground kingdom.

A wooden platform stood in the chamber’s center for unloading the old quarry cars still encircling the structure. A small group of Regaar’s loyalists stood over the others, giving orders out to the handful of milling people who surrounded them. The pair zeroed in on the big man who sat on the single wooden chair behind his thugs. Hilko frowned as he watched the man observing his underlings like a little emperor.

The underworld leader wore a high collared frock coat of fine purple wool which barely covered his belly. His white shirt and short trousers stood out in the dingy tunnels filled with dust-covered people. A thick leather baldric ran over his shoulder and carried his razor-sharp rapier across his belly. Regaar had a reputation for using the trusting sword on those who gave him any bad news.

While they waited in the back, the underground king suddenly noticed them. The man stood, ignoring the man talking to him, then walked down from the platform. The move surprised the pair and the rest of the people in the area. Typically, he gestured for those he wanted.

“You’re late, my friend. But I’ll not hold it against you.” Regaar’s broad smile made Hilko instantly suspicious.

“Come, I have a special bit of work for you.”

The large man led them past two burly guards into a restricted area used only by Regaar and his henchmen. Following the tunnel, painted in gaudy colors, they entered a large room where a massive rock table sat, surrounded by dark wooden chairs. Fine metal oil lamps hung by chains from the ceiling and expensive tapestries hung on the tunnel walls. At the far end of the room, another passage showed several more guards. However, the wrought-iron elevator next to the tunnel caught Hilko’s eye. No doubt, it was a quick and secret passage to the surface. Hilko decided the secretly constructed elevator must go to one of the many buildings that Regaar owned. The island’s ruler would pay a small fortune to know about the location of that entrance leading directly to the tunnel rat’s leader.

“I see you have noticed my little secret.” Regaar’s one eye twinkled, which unnerved Hilko. The man rarely said much, and he never smiled. The joke among the tunnel dwellers, only whispered among friends, was that the big man remained forever constipated.

“I thought you were sharp. Yes, it would be worth a lot to the Chara,” the leader told him, reading Hilko’s thoughts. “However, what I’m about to give you will bring far more. That is why I let you in here. We must be friends.”

Overwhelmed, the thin smuggler simply nodded.

“Good. Now, you and Silna have a seat. I will tell you my needs.”

The two friends sat next to each other halfway down the long table, feeling completely out of their element. Regaar placed himself at the head of the table, appropriately dressed for the occasion. He wore a fine white shirt with lace sleeves and collar, partially covered by a blue, close-fitting jacket. With his immaculate white stockings that met with the knee-length trousers, the thief’s leader covered himself in the height of Charax fashion. The same blue velvet on his jacket made up his eye patch.

On top of the table, a silver banded wood Wheelock pistol lay like a piece of silverware. It was one of the few pistols on the island. A heavy clay mug suddenly appeared in front of them, left by a servant who appeared out of nowhere.

“Now, let’s drink to friends,” the one-eyed man lifted his mug. Silna and Hilko dutifully complied, following his lead. The wine was sweet. Hilko wanted to hate the taste. Unfortunately, his face betrayed how much he enjoyed it.

“To business.” Regaar slammed the empty mug down on the table. He gave an evil glance to the silent servant, who immediately refilled the cup.

“Let’s start with what I’ve been hearing. It seems you haven’t been happy with some of the work coming your way. Is that right?”

The smile was gone, and Regaar looked like his usual self.

An icy chill struck Hilko, and he played it carefully.

“Not exactly! I just don’t like being chased by the Amryno for something I didn’t know about. Word usually comes to me before a snatch.”

“That comes from being known by those wretched jailers so well. You know that. If you’re good, they come after you. Why do you think I never leave the tunnels? They know me too well. So, what’s the problem?”

Hilko stared at his mug. He wanted to tell the big man he was tired of the entire show. He wanted to leave the crummy island. Forget about trying to rip off the Faters, smuggling it out to traders on the mainland. Quit being a pack mule carrying in valuables for Regaar from the lepers. Instead, he decided he wasn’t willing to die by telling the truth.

“Nothing is a problem, Regaar. You know how it is sometimes when you drink too many sangers. Your mind goes crazy, and you say stupid things.”

The leader of the thieves stared at the thin man for a moment, then broke into a smile again. “Nasty stuff that tunnel brew. I see what you mean. Alright, since we’re friends, I’m going to give you something that nobody is even remotely aware of.”

Regaar waved his servant and guards out of the room. He waited until they left.

“I’ve got something lined up that will be huge for us on this island. It’s vitally important. You’re brighter than the average thief. If you do this one thing for me, you can retire like a fat noble. How does that sound?”

Both of the guests stared dumbfounded at Regaar. He didn’t give away big prizes.

“Sounds like I have to carry out all the golden crystals from the vaults of the Amryno headquarters.” Hilko joked.

Regaar frowned.

“If I need a jester, I can find them. I need a thief. I’m handing you this opportunity. Are you bold enough to take it?”

Hilko’s eyes shifted to the back wall where an expensive tapestry hung. He remembered the trouble of hauling the awkward piece from the beach. The smuggler went through the fortress wall and multiple streets while avoiding the patrolling guards. He could do it.

But at what cost?

“I’m not a good thief, but I’m your best runner. Both Thoma or Makra can steal better than me. I’m clumsy compared to them.”

The big man stared at him for a moment. Hilko wondered if he pushed the man too far.

“Only one person can do it, someone I can trust. You are the one, since it must go through the lepers. And the others are afraid of such work. Using two people means a greater chance of someone causing a problem. I cannot have a problem with this opportunity.”

Regaar paused for effect.

“Are you strong enough or not?”

Hilko tried to avoid a straight answer that would get him killed.

“What am I after?”

“No more right now,” the one-eyed man told him steadily. “All you need to know right now is that I have everything in place. The job is simple. You go in and get the item; no guards to worry about. It’s not even in a house, so there is little chance of anyone finding out. Well, not for a while. When you return with this item, you get paid right there on the spot. I’m not saying anything more than that. I don’t want any tunnel brew letting things get out.”

“What’s the pay?” Silna asked suddenly.

Regaar looked over at her; his smile returned.

“Now, there’s a sensible question. Hilko gets paid 500 hamar of gold if he does this.”

“He’ll do it,” Silna told Regaar instantly. Hilko wanted to punch her, but he slowly nodded when he saw the tunnel leader’s eye focused on him.

“It’s a good thing you brought Silna along. I heard you’re close. I would hate to think you didn’t want to be friends anymore.” The tunnel leader’s expression forced Hilko to acknowledge he had no choice in his new job.

“Both of you will meet me at the entrance to the Shadow Walk tomorrow at sunset. Don’t be late!”

Hilko jumped when the man impatiently pounded his mug on the table several times. The silent servant came running in. Regaar’s glare informed them that the meeting was over. The runner and his friend rose to leave.

“If you wish to remain my friend, don’t let anyone know of our meeting or your work.” They heard Regaar’s warning echo around them when they reached the entrance.