The Netherworld Gate

Book One:

The Tomni’Tai Scroll

By

Sam Ferguson

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this book

are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any

form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without

written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Dragon Scale

Publishing, 212 E Crossroads Blvd. #119, Saratoga Springs UT 84045

THE NETHERWORLD GATE

BOOK ONE:

THE TOMNI’TAI SCROLL

Copyright © 2013 by Sam Ferguson

Artwork Copyright © 2013 Dragon Scale Publishing

Published by Dragon Scale Publishing

Front Cover Art by Bob Kehl

All Rights Reserved

For John, Dan, and Joe

Other Books by Sam Ferguson CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE CHAPTER THIRTEEN CHAPTER FOURTEEN CHAPTER FIFTEEN CHAPTER SIXTEEN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN CHAPTER EIGHTTEEN Other Books by Sam Ferguson About the Author About Terramyr

Other Books by Sam Ferguson

The Sorceress of Aspenwood Series

The Dragon’s Champion Series

The Wealth of Kings

The Netherworld Gate Series

The Dragons of Kendualdern series

The Fur Trader

The Haymaker Adventures

Flight of the Krilo

Winter’s Ghost (Novella)

The Moon Dragon

The Beast of Blue Mountain

The Dwarves of Roegudok Hall comic Episode 1

Other Books by Dragon Scale Publishing

The Lost City of Alfarin by Keaton James and Sam Ferguson

The Protector of Esparia by Lisa M. Wilson

Kingdom of Denall Series by Eric Buffington:

The Troven

Secrets at the Keep

The Changing

Tales of the NoWhere and NeverWhen by Jason Hauser

Wisp the Wayfinder

Puck the Pathwinder

Nobb the Nightbinder

Also available exclusively on the

Dragon Scale website:

Tharzule’s Tome of Wishes by Malinda Smiley

Orcs and Elves by Bethan Owen

For the latest updates, follow Sam’s Author Page, Blog, Twitter @Author_SamFerg and

Facebook

CHAPTER ONE

Kai sat on the rough wooden steps of a small house, watching the jewelry shop across

the street. People filtered by stopping at various merchant stalls and circling around the block.

Some of the newly arrived merchants sold items from the side of their wagons, while others had

had the forethought to secure an actual space from which to display and sell their goods.

“Come buy the finest spices in all of the twin deserts!” exclaimed a short, portly man

dressed in silken robes of gold and red. “You won’t find better prices anywhere else, I guarantee

it!”

Kai brought a wooden cup to his mouth and sipped a bit of tea. The motion was just

enough to catch the merchant’s eye. The man turned and pointed to Kai.

“You sir, surely you can appreciate mint. I have the strongest mint in all the land. I

brought it all the way from Tenwood. Do you know Selemet Island? The elves there have a

special kind of green thumb!” The merchant turned to his wagon and produced a small white

bag. He nodded to his thin, leather-faced driver and held the bag out. Then, he spun round to

address Kai again. “Have a sniff of this, I guarantee you will not find a better cup of tea than

from this here bag!”

The driver took the bag and bounced across the dirt road, kicking up a bit of dust. Kai

shook his head. He didn’t want tea, or any attention at all for that matter. The driver kept coming

on. Kai sighed and slid the corner of his robe aside, revealing a scabbard.

The driver stopped and turned on his heels. He knew better than to challenge a man in

this town, no matter how big the potential sale. The merchant stood perplexed as the driver put

the bag back and whispered into his ear. The merchant’s belly jiggled as he chuckled and turned

to address other passers-by.

Kai grinned ever so slightly and turned his attention to the crowds flowing by.

He studied the people carefully, patiently scanning them until a skinny, young man with

brown hair walked around the corner of the jewelry shop. The young man glanced once down the

street before heading into the shop. Kai set his cup down and rose from his spot on the steps. He

shook the dust from his robes and started for the shop. He kept his face pointed to the ground,

letting his gray hair fall around his face as he leaned heavily on his cane for support.

From the corner of his eye he saw the driver reflexively nudge the merchant and the two

made sure to keep a distance between them.

Kai hobbled over to the shop. His hand trembled as he pushed the door open and walked

into the shop. He tilted his face to the side ever so slightly, allowing him to survey the room. A

series of old glass cabinets lined the shop forming a “U” in front of Kai. At one time the shop

had held more valuable pieces, before the merchant caravans had edged their way into the

market. Now, most of the pieces were modest, very few of them made of gold or silver. Many

were made of amber, copper, glass, or other stones. Despite this, Kai knew that a handful of

items from this shop were still considered a good haul for an average thief.

A pair of young girls pranced in front of a full length mirror, trying on wooden jewelry

and giggling to themselves. A middle-aged man stood behind the counter, addressing the young

man who had come in before Kai. No one else was there, except for a fat, orange cat stretching in

the sunlight streaming in from a window in the back.

Kai tilted his head to observe the skinny, suspected thief. A large, misshapen mole on

the young man’s left forearm confirmed his identity. The thief glanced back over his shoulder at

Kai, but upon seeing Kai’s appearance, quickly lost interest in him. Kai shuffled over to a

counter on the opposite side of the shop and beckoned for the shopkeeper with his hand. The

shopkeeper hesitated, glancing at the young man, but then he came over to Kai.

“Can I help you, sir?” the shopkeeper asked politely.

“I want something nice for my granddaughter,” Kai said in a low, harsh voice.

The shopkeeper nodded, but kept glancing back to the young man. “What exactly are

you looking for?” the shopkeeper asked.

Kai turned his head to see the young man standing near a necklace stand that had a small

mirror next to it. Kai smiled and looked back to the jeweler. Kai figured the thief was using the

mirror next to the necklace to keep an eye on the shopkeeper. It was a clever trick, but Kai had

years of experience on the thief, and was ready.

“It is my granddaughter’s birthday today, and I want to get her something red,” Kai said,

answering the jeweler’s question. “Red is her favorite color.”

“Very well, sir. I have something that may suit her taste right here,” the shopkeeper said,

pointing to a red necklace.

“No, I don’t want wooden beads, she is turning sixteen today. I am looking for

something fit for a young lady.”

The shopkeeper smiled and nodded. “Well, then I have something here, but it is more

expensive.” He pointed to a hairpin on the bottom shelf of the jewelry case. “It is inlaid with

small rubies.”

Kai nodded his head. He kept his eye on the reflection in the glass case in front of him,

watching the suspected thief while the shopkeeper went for the hairpin. Just as Kai suspected, as

soon as the shopkeeper bent down, the thief grabbed a handful of necklaces from the stand. The

young man then turned to run out of the shop. Kai whirled around and struck out with his cane

catching the thief in the stomach. The young man crumpled to the floor coughing and gasping.

The two girls shrieked and backed into the far corner.

“What’s going on here?” the shopkeeper asked as he shot up from behind the jewelry

case.

“Everything is under control,” Kai said in his normal voice as he removed his wig with

his left hand revealing short, blonde hair. “I have been tracking this little thief for two days

now.” Kai bent down and retrieved the necklaces from the thief’s hands. “He won’t be bothering

you anymore.”

“Th- thank you,” the shopkeeper said, eyeing Kai from head to toe. Apparently the

disguise had been very effective. He reached out and took the necklaces from Kai.

“My pleasure,” Kai said. Then he stooped down and bound the thief’s wrists together

with a thick strap of leather.

“You think that’s gonna hold me?” the thief scoffed.

Kai chuckled as he placed his left knee square on the thief’s back and quickly pulled out

a pair of iron shackles. “Perhaps not,” he replied. “But I would love to see you try to run while

wearing these nice little anklets.” Kai secured the shackles and then grabbed the thief by the back

of his neck and hoisted him up to his feet.

The thief spit in Kai’s face.

Kai wiped his cheek and backhanded his prisoner. He caught sight of the shopkeeper’s

arched eyebrow, but he paid the shopkeeper no mind. Kai winked to the young girls and then

shoved the thief out of the shop.

As he exited, the driver that had tried to offer a bag of tea nudged his employer and they

both turned to regard Kai. The spice merchant cocked his head and gave a slight salute with his

hand. Kai returned the gesture with a nod.

“Please, let me go,” the thief begged. He tugged against Kai, but was not strong enough

to wrest free. “You think you are doing something great, but I needed those.”

“I have heard this kind of story before.” Kai stopped and turned the thief around. “Go

ahead and tell me why you are so special I should let you walk away with a handful of necklaces

you didn’t pay for.”

“I can’t,” the thief sighed.

“Thought so.” Kai nudged him onward.

“You don’t understand.”

“What is there to understand? This district is comprised of generational criminals and

vagabonds who mistakenly feel that the world owes them everything.” Kai stopped again and

turned the thief around to look into the young man’s eyes. “Tell me I’m wrong, boy. Tell me

your father was an honest and upright man.” Kai glared down at the thief, but his prisoner

refused to make eye contact. “Maggots like you make my stomach churn,” Kai said as he shoved

the young man onward. “You aren’t oppressed or starving because of the Rangers or anyone

else. You are simply too lazy to make an honest living.”

“It isn’t like that,” the thief grumbled. Kai just marched him onward through the streets.

A short while later the two arrived at a large gray building adjacent to Rasselin’s south

wall. In front of the heavy oaken doors two sentries stood at attention, holding pikes and carrying

swords on their waists. Kai nodded to the city guardsmen and walked inside. He led the thief to a

windowless room that had only a single wooden chair inside. He sat the thief down and attached

his shackles to a chain on the floor. Then he went around behind the thief and took a pair of irons

off of the wall and clasped them onto the thief’s wrists.

“I do hope you are comfortable,” Kai said.

“I feel right at home,” the thief snorted.

“Enjoy it,” Kai said sarcastically. “I promise you that when Captain Lador comes in, you

will not be comfortable at all.” Kai left the room and closed the door behind him. He locked the

door from the outside and then stood in front of the door.

A few minutes later the oak doors opened. Sunlight glinted off the dust blown in with the

dry, late afternoon desert wind. “I heard you caught him,” Lador grinned.

“Yes, sir,” Kai said. “He hasn’t said much though.”

“And I won’t say anything, so you may as well let me go!” the thief yelled from inside

the room.

“Apparently he has good ears,” Lador commented.

“He also has a big mouth,” Kai put in.

“Very well,” Lador sighed. “What are the charges exactly?”

“Two counts of petty theft,” Kai replied.

“What, were you bored?” Captain Lador smirked.

Kai shrugged, “It’s been a slow week, so I have been helping out some of the shop

keepers.”

“Tell me truly, what is going on?” Lador whispered.

Kai leaned in. “I am trailing a group of men I suspect as being connected with the recent

abductions, and I think this fledgling thief owes them money.”

Lador nodded. “I see. What is your recommendation?” Lador asked.

“Maximum sentence,” Kai replied.

“Do you ever recommend anything else?” Lador chuckled.

Kai shrugged and moved aside. “After you,” he offered.

“Very well,” Lador replied. Then he pushed the door open.

Kai entered right after Lador and closed the door behind them. He watched as Captain

Lador walked around to face the young thief.

“What is your name?” Lador asked.

“Seymour Butts,” the thief replied with a sneer.

“That’s very clever,” Lador replied, “but I’ve heard that one before.” Lador reached

down and grabbed the thief’s chin with his right hand and tilted it up so he could look the young

man in the eyes. “Let me make one thing clear. I can, and will, add time to your sentence for

refusing to cooperate.” Lador let go of the thief’s chin and stood back up. “What is your name?”

“I am Kevyn, son of Devyn Lendal.”

“Good, I am glad to see your attitude improve,” Lador said as he wrote the name down.

“Will you confess to your crimes?” Lador asked.

“He already told you what I did,” Kevyn said, glancing over his shoulder at Kai.

“Yes, he told me the charges against you,” Lador said with a nod. “Why would you steal

items from shops in the third district?”

“Why does someone take anything?” Kevyn shot back. “Because they want it, but they

can’t afford it.”

“Indeed,” Lador said with a grimace. “So you were not starving, or in need of means to

buy food for yourself or your family?”

“Nope,” Kevyn countered. His voice was strong and confident, but Kai could see his feet

twitching nervously back and forth.

“How about to pay back those three rough characters you were with last night at the

Winking Star?” Kai put in.

Kevyn looked to the floor. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Try again,” Kai countered. “I was there, watching you.”

Kevyn shook his head and looked to the wall. “They said if I don’t pay them back, they

will take my sister,” he said with a humbled look on his face.

“What do you mean they will take your sister?” Lador asked.

“I can’t tell you. If they find out, they’ll kill me, and my sister.”

Lador knelt in front of Kevyn. “Kai, what is the maximum sentence allowed for petty

theft?”

“The maximum sentence is one month for every count of petty theft,” Kai replied.

“Then Kevyn will spend a week in the dungeon for each item he stole,” Lador said.

Lador locked eyes with Kevyn. “If you cooperate with us, we will protect your sister.”

Kevyn shook his head. “You can’t, it isn’t just the three from the tavern. There are more

of them. They’ll know I talked.”

Lador shook his head. “If you serve in the dungeon for two weeks, that should convince

them that you only talked about stealing. If you tell us everything about these men, we can put an

end to them.”

Kevyn looked to Kai for a moment, then back to Lador. “I don’t know who else they

work with. You won’t be able to stop them.”

“Then tell me where your sister is, and I will put her in a safe place,” Kai offered.

Kevyn bit his lower lip. Finally, he nodded.

“Kai, you will escort Kevyn to the dungeon. Get the information from him and then

come and find me.”

“Of course, sir,” Kai replied with a bow of his head. Then Captain Lador stood up and

made for the door.

*****

When Kai exited the dungeon office later that day, he did not go straight home. He

strolled through the market district and bought some things from the few merchants still selling

their wares. He picked up a bottle of cider, and a small hunk of ham that he could share with his

sister. He arrived home early in the evening and walked in just as his sister was walking out.

“Kai, I am going to go out for a stroll. I promised Jenedina that I would meet her

tonight,” Sebina announced in her delicate voice.

Kai looked to the ham and sighed. “Alright, but stay away from the inns, there is a large

merchant band in town and I don’t want-”

“Kai, you worry too much!” Sebina interrupted. “I will be fine, brother, and I won’t be

out late, I promise. I will be back by nine.” With that she kissed him on the cheek, put on her

shawl and walked out of the small, one room house, closing the door behind her.

“I am not being over protective,” Kai said to the door. “I simply know that merchant

groups can get a little rowdy. If I was overprotective I would follow her.” A sly smile crossed his

face as he contemplated doing that very thing. “No, I won’t do that,” He said as he shook off the

grin. He turned and put the ham on a wooden plate on the table. He opened the cider and took a

drink. The liquid was quite warm, and a bit sour from days of sitting in the sun. He wiped his

mouth on his sleeve and set the bottle next to the ham.

He glanced back to the door. Something urged him to follow her. “She is a grown

woman, a full twenty-two years.” He shrugged off the feeling and turned to plant himself in the

wooden rocking chair at the end of the table. “She isn’t the little baby I raised anymore, she is

independent.” Kai nodded to himself, finally convinced by his own reasoning. He grabbed the

bottle between his left fore-finger and thumb and put it back to his lips. His eyes went back to the

door. The feeling nagged him again.

Kai looked in the mirror and scolded himself, “If you don’t quit worrying about her you

will make your hair go gray!” He took two sips of cider and then set the bottle down on the table

next to him. His earlier discussion with Kevyn came into his thoughts. He rose from the rocker

and straightened his sword belt. He looked back to his reflection in the mirror and shrugged

helplessly.

*****

Rain plitted off of Talon’s leather over cloak as he strode toward the Lonely Man Inn.

Talon pushed open the creaky, wooden door and scanned the room. He first saw John, the

barkeep, standing behind the bar polishing a large glass mug. Then he saw an older gentleman

dressed in woolen trousers and a green silk tunic, sitting at the bar and slurping soup from his

bowl like an ill-mannered child. The rest of the tables were empty. A dying fire crackled in the

hearth, with a large black kettle above it. Talon could smell the onions and beef. It seemed that

was all John ever cooked at the inn.

Talon slowly removed his over cloak and hung it near the door. The older gentleman

continued slurping his soup without bothering to look up when Talon approached the bar.

Travelers at this inn usually knew better than to show any interest in other peoples’ business.

“Good evening, John,” Talon greeted somberly.

John nodded in return. He reached under the bar and retrieved a key. “Room three. It’s

the second door on your left once you are up the stairs.”

Talon raised an eyebrow as he took the key. He discreetly motioned to the older

gentleman with his head. John smiled and nodded as he placed the polished –but still grimy—

mug on the bar. He knew what to do.

Talon turned without another word and went up the stairs. Thunder from the storm

outside masked his steps on the old, wooden planks. He went straight to room number three,

slipped the key in and opened the door. Inside he saw a wide eyed man sitting on the bed, with a

small pile of coins in front of him, a map stretched out to his left, and a crossbow in his right

hand.

“I knew I would find you here, Raimus,” Talon said. Raimus aimed and fired the

crossbow, but the bolt went wide, missing Talon by a hand’s breadth. “You never were a good

shot,” Talon commented dryly.

Raimus jumped up from the bed and started for his sword which lay atop the table across

the room. A throwing dagger sunk into his right leg, just above the knee, before he got far.

Raimus flopped to the floor, screaming out in pain. Talon closed the door behind him and pulled

his sword.

“I, on the other hand, always hit my mark,” Talon noted with a wry smirk.

“So, what will you do now?” Raimus asked, holding his leg and breathing heavily.

Talon smiled, “You know what I will do,” he replied.

Raimus nodded. “And what of John?”

“John has not double crossed me, so he can live.”

“I had to leave Talon. It was the only way. I planned on coming back for you, I swear.”

“Save it, Raimus. I know you wanted me dead, and I know why. The power of the scroll

is simply too much for a man like you to share with anyone else.”

Raimus took a deep breath in and sat up, pulling his good leg in while leaving the

injured one straight. “Well go on then, finish it,” Raimus said. His chest heaved up and down

with each breath.

Talon placed the tip of his sword against Raimus’ throat. “Where is the list?” Talon

demanded.

“I don’t have it with me,” Raimus sputtered.

“No, I didn’t figure that you would be that stupid, but you do know where it is, and you

will tell me.” Talon pulled out his dagger with his left hand and sneered at the man. He crouched

low, keeping his sword steady with his right hand while he brought the dagger up to the side of

Raimus’ nose.

“Go on, Talon, do your worst,” Raimus said defiantly.

“Oh no, old friend, I will do my best,” Talon’s sneer grew to a full smile. “And after you

have told me everything I want to know, then I will release you from this world.”

“It’s useless” Raimus said. “It will never work. Shausmat and Zinferth will combine

against the threat of the scroll. You can’t expect to defeat both nations if they are united!”

“That is why I will ensure the war continues to drive them apart before I unleash the

power of the scroll,” Talon said.

Raimus shot the assassin a puzzled look.

“Never fear, my friend, I have a plan. I have some contacts in Rasselin who are willing

to assist me.”

“What? You’re working with him? He’ll kill you, Talon. Mark my words he is a viper!”

“Never mind about him, I will take care of it myself –as I did when you tried to stick a

dagger in my back.”

Raimus bristled and glowered at Talon. “I wish I had killed you.”

Talon looked down at his gleaming knife blade and smiled. “Now, I believe I was about

to ask you some questions.” Talon slid the blade down from Raimus’ nose to his jawbone,

drawing a thin line of blood.

Raimus jerked away. “No, Talon, don’t!”

*****

John started to whistle as screams erupted from the hallway upstairs.

“What is that?” the old gentleman asked.

“Ah, that,” John started with a shrug. “I wouldn’t concern myself with that if I were

you.”

The old gentleman eyed John warily and pushed back from the bar. He started to back

away, keeping an eye on the short, fat barkeep, but John just smiled and continued whistling

while he picked up the half-eaten bowl of soup and wiped down the bar.

The old gentleman almost made it to the door when he felt a sudden pang in his side that

doubled him over. He threw his hand out to steady himself, but missed the nearest chair and

crashed to the floor. His vision blurred, and his body convulsed in a furious bout of coughs. He

looked back up to John with wide eyes and clutched at his throat and stomach.

“Soup not sitting well with you?” John asked casually with a shake of his head. As soon

as the old gentleman was still, John went to work cleaning up the mess.