Rake's Story

by LeRoy Clary

  Rake finally went to sleep with wild thoughts churning inside his mind. He’d always dreamed of adventure, but never as crazy as the reality.

  When he awoke in the middle of the night, the beautiful woman beside him had rolled over to his side of the bed. She had a leg thrown over his hip. Her chest was pressed next to his. In trying to extradite himself so she didn’t slit his throat, she woke.

  “Is it morning?” She mumbled.

  “Middle of the night,” he said. “I didn’t . . .”

  “Shut up and go back to sleep.” Her leg remained over his hip. Her breathing slowed again.

  Rake’s didn’t. He lay as still as a newly sawn log. Her breath was warm on his neck. Rake considered slipping out of bed and going around to the other side where there was more room. He finally managed to fall into an uneasy sleep.

  When he woke again, it was to the rustle of her slipping from the bed. She moved quickly and quietly, like a cat. At the door, she only moved the chair enough to slip through. Light streamed in a tiny window set high on the wall, a spear of light with tiny things floating inside it. The almost parallel streak of light said it was just after dawn.

  He reluctantly climbed from the bed, not because it was so comfortable, but because of the lack of sleep. Cinder was a restless sleeper, taking up most of the bed the entire night. Each time she encroached on him, he feared he’d wake to a slit throat. She had used most of the bed and he’d received several knees and elbows when he tried to shift positions.

  He followed her from the room after dressing, expecting to locate her in the dining room. Instead, she sat at the end of the hallway where she could see all eight doors on the floor, one knee crossed over the other as she studied a piece of parchment in her lap. She obviously didn’t trust the innkeeper as much as her own eyes. Rake moved closer and said, “What are you doing?”

  She held the parchment up. “A map.”

  “I didn’t know you had one.”

  “It’s old and not very detailed. Just something to look at while I’m on watch.”

  Rake ignored the map. “Watch?”

  “Whoever tried to enter our room last night is behind one of those doors, like you said. There is no other way off this floor but up. We’d have seen and heard footsteps on the stairs. So,” she waved an arm at the doors and hallway. “while you might trust that innkeeper, I don’t. I want to see every person who stayed here last night and make up my own mind.”

  “It was probably just a thief,” Rake said.

  She gave him a sad sort of smile, a smile like the one she’d give to a child too stupid to understand something basic. “Look at us, you and me. There are far better prospects to steal from than us. The way we’re dressed, why would anyone think we had anything to steal? If they were fair-minded and got a look inside our rucksacks—they might feel sorry for us and leave a coin or two.”

  “Then why? And remember you did announce we had money when we first arrived.”

  Cinder’s smile turned genuine and she gave a slight nod, just the barest movement of her chin. “That’s the question, isn’t it? Why?”

  She ignored the rest of his statement. “How long are you going to sit out here?”

  “Until all other guests have shown themselves. As each one leaves, I will look in their rooms to make sure there are no more and maybe search their belongings.”

  Rake leaned on the wall as he considered her answer. Cinder was far more upset by the incident than he was—and perhaps she was right. He should be concerned. “That might take a good part of the morning. Besides, how will you know who it is?”

  “I think there will be a few I can eliminate right away. There is an elderly couple in one room who stays here often, and a wealthy matron in another who is also a regular customer here. The innkeeper indicated they were staying here last night at dinner, and I think they can be eliminated. Maybe one or two more can be when I get a look at them, so we have to see who is left after the eliminations. Right now, there are only five. After ruling out those obviously innocent, we will probably have only one or two left that may be guilty.”

  “And what do you expect to do with them? Or him?” Rake asked.

  Her smile turned sweet. “Why, I thought I’d have my big brother beat them until they offered an explanation to my satisfaction. You might want to go down and eat a hearty breakfast, so you’ll have the energy to do it.”

  “We can’t do that,” he sputtered.

  She rolled her eyes. “Then when you are finished questioning them, maybe we can send them to the little village we passed through if it hasn’t burned to the ground because of a dead dog, yet. Don’t tell me what we can and can’t do, Rake. Remember, we are here to find out information and our families may live or die depending on how we do. I will fight for my family. Now, go eat and sit with the innkeeper. I believe she will truthfully rule out several guests.”

  She was right, in a way. Rake entered the dining room without answering her and found the fire already set and warming the chilled room. He moved to a table near it and luxuriated in the warmth. The innkeeper was a balding man he suspected was the husband of the woman from last evening. Their ages and manners were similar. He asked if Rake wanted an egg and slice of meat while he waited.

  The male innkeeper hadn’t been there the night before, yet correctly assumed Rake had spent the night and was going to meet with his wife to observe the other guests. On impulse, he rose and went to the front door. It was barred on the inside. So was the side door leading to the outhouse.

  Cinder thought she was so smart. He’d just confirmed the potential thief was still in the building. He settled back to enjoy the food and warmth, knowing he would also examine the other guests in a more comfortable manner. A mug of warm milk was served with the meat and egg. The woman innkeeper entered the room silently and carried a mug of tea for herself to his table and sat without asking permission or greeting him. Her eyes were dark and unflinching.

  Before he finished eating, a plump woman of forty or more entered from the door to the stairs. She wore a necklace and two gold rings on her fingers. The clothing was made of expensive material. Rake dismissed her instantly.

  The innkeeper whispered, “Those rings are gold.”

  A man followed a short while later and sat at another table, so he was not with the first woman. He was also plump, or perhaps portly was a better word. He was nearer fifty and moved with the arrogance of one used to power his entire life, not the sort to sneak into the room of another. His hands were soft. His eyes tended to remain on his table, minding his own business.

  “Regulars,” the woman said softly. “Both have stayed here a hundred times without incident.”

  The third to emerge, which was as Rake was finishing his second mug of milk and the food was gone, was also a man by himself. He was as tall as Rake, which made him stand out, although he was far thinner. His age was slightly older, probably not yet thirty, his clothing that of a city dweller, not one in the country.

  However, it was not his appearance that drew Rake’s attention, it was his eyes. They slid over Rake as if the chair he sat in was vacant. He moved to a table on the far side of the room and sat with his back to Rake. All that merited attention. And suspicion.

  The innkeeper whispered, “A man of peace. He does not like you or your manners. I’ve known him for at least ten years. He owns several flour mills, very wealthy.”

  Rake was not so sure. There were several ways to handle the situation, but directness seemed best. Rake stood and moved to the man’s table and sat without asking. “I hope you won’t mind. I have a question or two.”

  “Uh, I don’t suppose I mind. If you’re selling something, I’m not a buyer.”

  “Not selling. Just curious. When you entered, you looked at the woman sitting over there,” he motioned with his hand at the portly man, “and at him. But you ignored me. Why?”

  The man acted nervous and leaned closer, an action Rake hadn’t expected. He spoke softly,
“I admire your sister.”

  “And?”

  “I’m not very good with women and feel you’re angry with me that I’ve been looking at her so much, but I can’t help myself. I’m sorry and will try not to do it again.”

  Rake believed the man told the truth and he couldn’t imagine the timid manners would give him the confidence to sneak into their room. He said, “We’re leaving today, but if we do remain for any reason, I’ll introduce you. She will like you, I’m sure. I’m sorry if you felt intimidated by her, but you’re not the first. She has that effect on some men.”

  Rake went back to his table, feeling chagrined. It was a good lesson for two reasons. First, he’d correctly identified someone interested in them. Second, the reason he’d assumed was totally wrong. He needed to learn to be more careful and was glad he hadn’t acted on his first impression and used his fists. The innkeeper sipped her tea without smirking. He appreciated that.

  Two more men entered the dining room, both much later than the others who had already eaten and departed. Neither of them acted suspiciously or looked the type to enter a stranger’s room. The next was a woman alone. Her clothing was a little too bright, and she moved in a direct manner. Her eyes took in the room, the people, and as she met his eyes, he detected a slight reaction, not much, but he was watching for any telltales.

  It would be nice to think the tightening at the corners of her eyes was because of his good looks, his obvious muscular shoulders, or his smile. None of those were the truth. He sat facing her left shoulder from behind and took in the details.

  A small tear had been carefully mended in her dress. A smudge of soot-stained the pattern on her skirt darker in one area. The heels of her shoes were rounded and worn. A few stray hairs poked out at odd angles.

  At first glance, she was one of the wealthy patrons. The closer look revealed she was a sham. Her fingernails were clean, as were her hands, but when she reached for a mug her palms were rough and calloused. She’d worked hard in her life. She didn’t belong at the inn any more than him.

  “Her?” he asked the innkeeper. “Does she have a story?”

  “I’ve seen her in here a few times over the years. Always quiet and respectful. Always alone. She does not share much else about herself, but I assure you she has an adequate number of coins in her purse so petty theft is not a question. Now, if you are satisfied, I really need to perform a few chores. Feel free to ask me about anyone else. I assume you are coming to understand my position on my guests.”

  The young woman who had entered last stood up from her table and turned to face him just before he confronted her. She moved to his table and said, “May I sit?”

  He agreed. The male innkeeper brought her food and placed it before her at his table, then departed. So did the two men, which left them alone in the room. Her furtive eyes scanned the area and when satisfied there were no others, she leaned closer. A fresh, clean scent of fir trees drifted his way.

  Rake waited for the proposition sure to come. She was going to either ask for something or attempt to sell him something. Probably a story requiring him to ‘loan’ her money. He’d run into people like that at home, even with as few residents as it had.

  Instead, she said as she rested her chin on her palm, elbow on the table, “Tell me about yourself. Your name, where you’re from, and all about you.”

  “Call me Rake. I’m more interested in you than me.”

  She smiled coyly. “Why?”

  “Because you smell like the forest near my home. It’s nice.”

  She moved fractionally closer.

  Her smile was inviting. He continued on impulse, “I smelled that same scent last night in my room when you broke our water pitcher.”

  It had been a guess and he’d smelled nothing the night before. He confirmed his guess when her face turned pink. She shifted uncomfortably as if about to stand and flee.

  Rake said, “Relax. I want to know what you wanted in our room. I won’t make a scene if you talk to me.”

  She sat stiffly. Quietly.

  He waited, and when she didn’t speak, he said, “You can’t think we have money. We have nothing to steal. And it was dangerous. Either of us could have awoken and attacked you. But we can’t figure out why you attempted to enter our room. That is my question.”

  She didn’t respond.

  Rake said, “Eat your food while I ramble on. If it was not about theft, it was something else. Your clothing is nice but mended. You smell like you’ve been in a forest, and your hands are rough. You are pretending to be something you are not.”

  She didn’t eat, drink, or speak. She began to look ill. Her eyes were on the front door with the bar holding it closed still prominently in place. Cinder was upstairs in the hallway. She was trapped.

  Rake suddenly understood. “You heard us ask about what is on the road to the west. You’re also interested in traveling in that direction. Am I right?”

  She remained motionless; her jaw clamped shut. That further convinced him he’d guessed right. “If you won’t talk, I will. Maybe I’ll tell you a few children’s stories while we wait for my sister to join us to pass the time.”

  She bit the inside of her lip while ignoring him. Her eyes searched the empty room like those of a trapped animal in a cage. If there had been another present, she would have asked for help. At any moment she would bolt.

  He needed to find out and there was the easy method that worked well with Frog’s family. “There is a story about a great dragon you might be interested in hearing. Not a children’s story, but one you might wish to hear.”

  Her posture shifted minutely. Her head did the bird thing, where she shifted from one direction to another in jerky movements, almost like the dragon had done the day before. His mention of the dragon story had made her nervous—and had drawn her full attention at the same time.

  “The dragon lived in a mythical place called Bear Mountain.”

  She mouthed, “Where the Dragon Clan lived?”

  “Yes. If we were not in so public a place, I’d lift my shirt and display my back.”

  “I am so relieved,” she sighed. “When I snuck into your room or attempted to, it was to see your backs in the light from the candle in the hall. Failing that, I was going to wake you both and ask if you’d seen a dragon or some such. Anything to get you talking. It was a stupid thing to do. I was fairly sure of who you were, but when I broke that pitcher, I panicked and ran.”

  Rake said softly, “Lower your voice and talk as if we’re romantic in case anyone enters or is listening. No telling who is where and doing what. Are you here because of sighting the Green?”

  “Yes. My family near Stoneshield needs to know if Breslau is sending an army this way.”

  “We are doing the same. Cinder and I only met two days ago and are doing a search for our families.”

  “Maybe we can all work together. Please call me Sadie.”

  “Sadie, are you any good at playing jokes on people?”

  “What do you have in mind?” She wore a sly smile.

  “When Cinder, who is not my sister, comes in here, we should do something to her. I can’t think of what, but maybe you could throw your arms around me and kiss me? Pretend we are together?”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Another pair of diners entered and seated themselves. They were middle-aged, wealthy and ordered the innkeeper around as if he was employed by them. He responded eagerly and with a constant smile. The pair insisted on ordering a full meal, prepared as they instructed, and the innkeeper leaped to make them happy.

  They were obviously regular customers and valuable visitors to the inn. They probably paid the inn well for the extra services their attitudes demanded. Now that Rake knew the identity of the intruder during the night, he ignored the wealthy couple and said, “Work together? How do you mean that, Sadie from Stoneshield?”

  “I will not embarrass the two of us by pretending to be lovers to fool your sister. Think of something else
and I might join in. Back to the subject, we’re after the same thing. We can help each other.”

  Rake said, “Cinder and I will need to formally introduce ourselves to you, and after that, who knows? Three is a crowd on a trip, and sure to attract too much attention, but we can tell you where to find two other families, and share information. We’ll also share any information we find and expect you to do the same.”

  Sadie wore a dejected expression. “You also want to verify who I am before sharing more. I understand that. But I have no experience outside of Stoneshield and only a little there. I have stayed at this inn a few times to listen and observe. My family is paranoid, and we keep watch this way because if trouble comes, it will most likely pass through here first. We own a farm outside of the village of Stoneshield and keep to ourselves. I know nothing about crowded places like this or how to act.”

  “Stumbling into other people’s rooms in the middle of the night should probably be avoided in the future.”

  Both laughed and drew pointed looks from the wealthy couple who were quietly eating and talking in subdued tones.

  Another man descended the stairs. He was short, his eyes dark and his expression pinched. His shoulders were wide, and he carried himself with an attitude of superiority. Behind him strode Cinder.

  Cinder cast a displeased glance at Rake but continued walking in his direction. She ignored Sadie and said, “I don’t like the looks of that last man. He’s the only one that seems capable of what we were discussing.”

  “Perhaps I will beat him into submission after a few more friendly words with my new friend. We’re getting along as if related.” He managed to contain a grin that threatened to erupt and noticed Sadie covered her mouth with her hand to hide the smile.

  “Rake, be serious. When he leaves the inn, we will follow and get our answers. If you can tear yourself away from chasing every woman at the inn, in the village, and on the road.” The venom in her voice couldn’t be mistaken.