Page 18 of A Thief to Die For

‘Killed?’ Samuel echoes in outrage. His large hand drifts to grab something on his waist that’s thankfully no longer there.

Metal slides against metal as Coatl and I draw our swords.

All three of the travellers look around in disbelief.

‘Sam,’ Ryland cautions, quietly.

‘Are you serious?’ Samuel grinds out. ‘Is this how you repay us for helping your men?’

Atlas scoffs. ‘The thief escaped with all our goods. The only thing you did was untie two guardsmen, and in our grand generosity, we let you sleep under our protection for a night. I now revoke that. Get out. Don’t make me say it again.’

The muscles in Ryland’s jaw flex as he grabs Samuel’s arm. ‘Just go, man. Come on.’

Samuel’s breaths are loud, and he hasn’t blinked in a really long time. I grip my sword tighter. If it comes to a fight, Coatl can take this one.

The hulking soldier grunts and storms out. The door slams behind him.

My lungs slowly deflate.

Atlas shifts on his throne, but his movements are jerky. His eyes dart around the room. ‘Kick him out of militia territory.’

‘Done,’ promises Coatl.

‘Commander,’ Ryland says. ‘He’s … I apologise for my friend. It’s been a long journey.’

Atlas’s attention shifts to the opal stone on his supposedly magic ring. He runs his fingers over it with deliberate strokes. Then, frustrated, he springs from his chair to inspect the wall behind him where his collection of unique weaponry is mounted. I stiffen as he selects a trigger-loading crossbow and with a flick of his finger, loads a bolt.

Ryland lifts his chin, unease radiating off his skin.

I’m right there with him.

‘I’ll accept your apology on the condition that you get one thing straight,’ Atlas says, lifting the crossbow to peer through the scope. At least he’s aiming it at the wall, for now. ‘I’m no fool.’

‘I didn’t think you were,’ Ryland placates.

Atlas studies him. ‘Good. Then you’ll pay me what my coal is worth.’

‘I plan to.’

It’s like Atlas is a hissing cat, to a dog that can’t be bothered.

Atlas lowers his crossbow. ‘And what is it worth to you? Because if you’re expecting a price for a wood-burning alternative, you’re going to be disappointed. Coal doesn’t just burn hotter and longer than wood. It’s the future. In fact, after salvaging some old-world equipment, I’m closer than ever …’ he pauses dramatically, ‘… to creating electricity with it. Soon we’ll be the first settlement with power since the bombs hit.’

My eyes flutter closed, because of course he’d reveal the biggest reason to raid us … to strangers likely here to case the place.

Suddenly, there’s a loud thwack as a bolt hits the logs of the far wall. ‘Oops,’ Atlas says, holding up his no longer loaded crossbow. He chuckles.

No way that was an accident.

He loads another bolt with a jerk of his finger – a nice modification to the weapon … if it weren’t in the hands of a madman. I nearly groan seeing he has five bolts left.

‘Anyway, as I was saying … if you know history, you know coal is the key to any industrial revolution. Not only will it become electricity, but it will be the steel that rebuilds the Republic. Coal is the future and only I have it.’ He swings the newly loaded crossbow deliberately in front of the two men. Only the young one flinches. A smile pulls on Atlas’s lips as he studies Ryland curiously. ‘So you can expect my price to reflect that value.’

Ryland remains stoic.

Atlas finally removes his finger from the trigger. ‘Now that we have that settled, let me tell you the rules of how this is going to work: answer my questions when I ask them. Ready? Where. Did. You. Come. From?’

Ryland’s mouth stays shut for a dangerously long time. ‘If I answer that,’ he begins slowly, ‘you’d have to know that I’m either lying to protect my people or telling the truth and risking my loved ones’ lives. I wouldn’t respect a person who did either of those things.’