by Bob Nailor
The guard was momentarily befuddled, but regained his senses quickly. "You have two choices." The guard faced Chardo. "Go peaceably, or go otherwise. Which would you prefer?"
"By the blade." Jewyl leaped the last few steps of the stairs to the floor. "You have two choices, dog guard of Lord Azre. Leave in peace, or leave in pieces." She played her sword in a threatening circle at them.
Chardo joined her and Vico stepped backwards to grab a sword from the wall. He stood clumsily at the ready.
"Guards," Jopab yelled. "You have caught us, but we need our freedom for but a short length of time more. I am a priest of the goddess, Hagontha. Blessed chaos. Leave us until tomorrow, and we shall give ourselves freely."
"Why should I trust you?" the guard asked and pulled his sword. The sound of two more blades could be heard behind him as his companions pulled their swords.
"Trust me?" Jopab repeated. "I am a priest of Hagontha. Is there not a temple of Hagontha within this city? We are to perform today. Join us and you may take us into custody when we finish."
Jewyl looked at Jopab in total surprise. Chardo frowned in confusion.
The two guards behind the main guard stiffened in shock and their blades fell noisily to the ground. The main guard turned to face their assailant and stepped backward into the inn to avoid the blades' points. Klajany smiled at the group as he stepped through the doorway holding two swords.
"Perhaps I'm not wanted," Klajany said. "Perhaps I have made a mistake, but this was the only way I knew I could see Chardo and Vico."
The guard lifted his sword and Klajany's one blade pushed against the guard's stomach flesh, only to protrude from the guard's back.
Vico stood gawking at Klajany.
"What do you want?" Chardo asked.
"Why did you leave The Dancing Dragon, dear Vico?"
"To lay with a real woman," Vico spat. "I no longer wish to be a servant in The Dancing Dragon. Why are you here?"
"Chardo," Klajany said. "I heard you talking with Barda. I had hoped we could spend a few moments together. It would appear..." He waved his hand to encompass the area and nodded. "Yes. You've been a bit busy." He smiled. "Although I think things have cleared up."
"Klaj, darling." Chardo reached out and pulled him in and placed an arm over his shoulder. "Your timing is impeccable in one regard, and totally wrong in another. It seems my friends and I will be leaving shortly." He winked at Klajany. "I think you understand. Of course, first, we must remove this evidence before we depart. No reason to leave Hvar holding a dragon by the tail."
"Do you have a wagon you are willing to give up?" Klajany asked. "One that doesn’t point back to you?"
Hvar nodded.
"Bring it around and we'll put these bodies into it and I'll take them back somewhere near The Dancing Dragon. None would question any of Lord Azre's guards being killed in that neighborhood."
Chardo frowned.
Klajany rolled his eyes. "The royal guard is always looking for quick service and then leave without paying most of the time. Sure, a dead guard or two will raise an eyebrow, but deep down inside, most residents of that particular area will be relieved." He grinned. "Even dear Barda at Sleepy Arms has lost a coin or two with Azre’s men."
"Quick," Hvar said. "Vico, bring the wagon around. Britha? Do we have any large flour bags we could place them in?"
"We could just carry them out as if they were drunk." Britha stood with her arms folded in front of her. "They're always doing that over at The Foamy Tankard."
Hvar scowled at Britha.
"Well, they do, father." Britha returned the scowl. "I'm not the little girl you think I am. I do see what goes on around me."
"Please," Klajany said. "Let's just get the bodies out into the cart, cover them up and then we'll get it over to the other side of town and let what happens..." He shrugged. "Just let it happen."
"She's right." Jewyl appraised the situation. "Klajany and Jopab, you carry out one. Chardo and I will carry out one and Vico and Hvar will take the other. Jopab and Klajany will take the cart and Klajany can return to The Dancing Dragon. Jopab will come back here with the horse."
Vico moved forward to speak.
"I believe it to be the best plan for all." Jewyl gazed at Vico. "The less involved you are, Vico, the safer and better for you, your sister, and father." She looked about for agreement.
"Sounds good," Jopab offered. "As soon as the bodies are gone and I return, we must make our plans for the celebration. Thank the goddess for chaos."
Klajany turned over one of the guards he had stabbed. "This one is sort of cute, such a pity I killed him without first seeing his face."
# # #
"If we plan to attack Ballec in his own house, we must think of something very unique so we may have our swords with us." Jopab turned his ale's container using his palms to move it in a circle.
Jewyl fingered the lip of her tankard. It was still morning, and she wasn't sure an ale would be good, but she needed something. Britha sat beside her, the young girl’s excitement barely contained.
"I know my father says I shouldn't bother you." Britha's words were quick and whispered. "But, I am anxious to have an exciting life." She gazed at Jewyl. "Like yours." Britha smiled sheepishly.
"My life is not exciting." Jewyl shook her head. "I live in fear every day Lord Azre or his men will find me, and be killed, or worse, forced to marry the man."
"Why does he search for you?" Britha leaned forward to see her father struggle from the kitchen. She gazed down, knowing her duty should have been to be helping him since Marela had left, but she needed to talk with Jewyl.
"He seeks Jewyl as the princess heir to Shiyula. He wants her to be his wife," Jopab said. "It will give him extreme leverage over the other sovereignties."
Britha inhaled. "A princess?"
"So I am told." Jewyl nonchalantly shrugged. "My grandfather was king of all Shiyula, but was killed. My grandmother became ruling queen, but was in hiding. The kingdom of Shiyula was broken and lost. Queen Vaela was pregnant with my father at that time." Jewyl grabbed Britha's hands and held them in hers. "Our fathers knew each other for years before I was born."
"I wish my father would talk about his life before—"
"Before what?" Hvar stood defiantly behind her, hands on hips and legs spread apart. The apron he wore was already dirty with unknown blood stains. "We must leave these people alone so they can plan their actions." The left eyebrow lifted in a question. "The less we know of their plans, the safer they, and we, shall be."
"I am sorry, father," Britha eased away from the table. "Perhaps I will see you later?"
"It would be nice," Jewyl replied with a smile. "More than likely not. Thank you for all your kindness."
"Why not be a sword fighting group for the celebration?" Britha asked. "Would that not be chaotic enough to honor Hagontha?"
Jopab stared at Britha. "From the mouths of the innocent. I have been praying for an answer of how we could hide our swords in some costume. Young Britha utters the obvious. Who would look for a hidden sword in such a routine?" He reached out and grabbed her hand and pulled it to his lips for a kiss. "Hide them in plain sight. You, my dear, are the most ingenious person I've ever met."
Britha smiled proudly, yet blushed.
"Come, Britha." Hvar placed his large hands on her delicate shoulders. "We must leave these people to their plans. Someone should stand watch at the door for more guards." He paused. "And, perhaps tonight I will tell you a rousing tale of when I and Jewyl's father spent a night in Eichla's prison."
Britha's eyes widened. "Eichla's prison?"
Hvar smiled while making a circling motion and pointed toward the inn's door indicating she should turn and attend to duties. She sighed and walked to the front door, looked back at the table, then stepped into the sunlight of the street.
"You won't take her, will you?" Hvar spread his fingers apart on the table as he leaned over it. A tear welled in his eye. "She so wants t
o travel, to have excitement in her life."
Jewyl reached out and patted Hvar's hand. "No, my dear Hvar," she whispered. "You have your family. Vico has returned. I will not allow Britha to join us. Now, go share your tale and enchant her with your dubious youth with my father." She smiled. "Maybe I should listen to learn of my father’s past. Eichla’s prison?"
"A four person sword fighting group could be interesting." Chardo stood innocently in the middle of the room. "Two men and two women—now that could prove to be very interesting."
Jewyl cocked an eyebrow at Chardo. "I said 'No' and I mean it."
"Very well." Jopab shrugged. "A three person sword fighting routine it shall be. Two men and a woman should be intriguing enough to tempt Hagontha's stewards with chaos."
"One woman and two men," Jewyl repeated. "Don't you think that to be a bit too obvious? Isn't it exactly what Lord Azre is looking for?"
"Fine," Jopab said. "Two women then. I remember that Chardo looked quite attractive when he rescued you at Lord Azre's castle."
Jewyl closed her eyes and shook her head. "Hmm? Let me see – two women and a man. I think Lord Azre would see through that charade as well."
"Fine." Jopab was exasperated. "We are either all three men, or all three women. What are your thoughts?"
Jewyl sipped her ale and glanced back and forth between Jopab and Chardo thinking. Three women. Chardo could do it. Jopab's strong build would definitely draw attention to him not being a woman. Still, a heavy scarf could be draped across his lower face to hide most of his manly facial features. "Three women—"
"Do you think you could pass yourself as a man?" Jopab asked cutting Jewyl's comment. He sat there examining Jewyl. "A more manly gait perhaps? To be honest, there is no way I could possibly be a woman."
Jewyl grabbed the tankard and drained the contents then swiped her wrist and hand across her lips to wipe away the excess. She lowered her voice.
"Perhaps," she said. "Will I need to bed a woman to prove my manhood?"
"What manhood?" Chardo jibbed.
Jopab blushed. "I'm sorry."
"Should we plan our moves?" Jewyl asked. "I would hate to have myself run through during our demonstration."
"Ah, that's the chaotic aspect of this plan." Jopab smiled. "We will never need perform. We will gain access to the courtyard and then—" He spread his fingers in the air before his face. "Poof. Disappear."
"Secret rooms?" Chardo asked.
Jopab smiled a silly grin. "Yes."
"Your plan is?" Jewyl asked.
"Once inside and we are accepted as a sword troupe, we can mix with the others and disappear through a secret chamber. Within the secret tunnel, we can work our way toward Ballec's chamber and prepare for his return. You kill him . We escape through another secret passageway. Deed done. All is well."
"Two hundred pieces of gold, easy." Chardo clapped and rubbed his hands together.
"Nothing is ever as easy as it is planned," Jewyl said. "What if we are discovered?"
"I know the passageways and the other clerics." Jopab grabbed his ale. "If we were to encounter one, they know me, and would never question my presence." He slugged down the drink and then raised it toward Hvar for another.
"Do you still believe your position is safe within the priesthood?" Jewyl asked. "Why? Wouldn't Ballec have notified the others of your treason? Yes, you have friends, but what of those who are loyal to Ballec?" She hesitated. "And those too naïve to know better?" She cocked an eye in Jopab’s direction. "You were defrocked."
"I still have many friends and allies within the priests of Hagontha — defrocked or otherwise." Jopab's facial features tightened in anger.
"What happens if we meet one of Ballec's men?" Jewyl pushed the thread of questioning.
"You have a sword." Jopab huffed a breath. "Use it."
"I could get you new clothes." Hvar placed new tankards before the group. "Forgive me for listening." He hoped the tension could be broken.
"New clothes," Chardo said. "Something bright and colorful. Flamboyant."
"Yes." Jewyl agreed and smiled profusely. "Make us stand out. Let's make sure Lord Azre can find us." Jewyl scowled and glared at Jopab.
"No," Jopab replied. He was excited and animated. "Would Lord Azre be looking for a group that was so blatantly obvious? No, I don't think so. His eyes will be trained on the group moving among the shadows in stealth. Anyone drawing attention would be noted, but quickly ignored." Jopab nodded. "The more flamboyant, the better."
"There is a streak of truth in your words." Jewyl nodded her head in agreement. "Again, hiding in the open."
"Blessed chaos," Jopab offered while raising his hands. "Within your swirling worlds there is a pattern to the madness."
"I'll have Vico and Britha go get them for you," Hvar said.
"Take these." Jewyl reached into her leather bag and placed two gems in his hand. "This should help defray some of the costs we have caused."
"You need not pay for anything." Hvar began to hand the jewels back. "It is a service I gladly give."
Chardo reached out to retrieve the stones.
"But, I will keep them nonetheless." Hvar pulled his hand back with a glinting smile. "Keep your hands to yourself." He winked at Chardo. "This will help with improvements to my inn."
Chardo pulled back a bit reluctantly and scowled at Jewyl. "Must you give all our money away?" he whispered.
"We share with our friends." Jewyl grinned. "How many times must I tell you that, Chardo? What do we need with wealth?"
"You may give excess to the glory of Hagontha," Jopab added and grinned at Chardo. "A donation of such would cause more chaos than the brotherhood would be able to handle. They would truly be in bliss."
Chardo scowled then slugged down his drink. "Bliss," he thought. "He'd bliss them. Two hundred gold pieces was indeed a tidy sum, but giving away the small handful of gems was plain stupid. If they didn't keep any booty, how would they survive when the sword was no longer their forte?"
"You brood, dear Chardo." Jewyl reached out to pat his hands. "There are still plenty of gems in the bag you have. You remain a rich man."
"There are gems and coins within the compound of Hagontha," Jopab whispered. "If you feel you must collect a few on our retreat, please do so. To be rid of Ballec, any expense is adequate. Take what you feel is right."
Chardo's eyes gleamed at the prospect. More than the allotted payment. He rubbed his hands together at the prospect.
"Now you must wait until Vico and Britha return." Hvar nonchalantly nodded toward the stairs. "Perhaps you should return to your rooms and rest?" He glanced at the entry; two guards spoke with possible patrons just beyond the door.
"A wise decision, Hvar," Jewyl said. "Send Britha to me as soon as she returns."
Hvar cast a glance of doubt at Jewyl.
"She will remain, Hvar." Jewyl reached over and patted Hvar's hand. "She won't be happy, but I will not allow her to join us."
Hvar sighed. "She may not join you, but she may leave on her own. I fear I will lose my daughter no matter what."
"I will talk with her," Jewyl confided. "I know I am not her mother, more like a big sister. She may listen to me. I hope she understands."
"Innkeeper," a voice yelled. "Two ales."
Hvar turned to attend to the guards who had come into the inn. Jewyl hastened behind to grab two tankards and hand them to Hvar. He grinned at her. Jopab slipped quietly up the stairs and Chardo remained sipping his ale.
"Innkeeper," the one guard began. "We are looking for our friends, three others who came earlier?"
Hvar placed the tankards in front of the guards. "Enjoy, good sirs. There were other guards earlier, but they left."
"Did they find what they were looking for?"
"No," Hvar replied. "They said they were looking for three people. If I remember correctly a red haired woman and her two companions?"
"Thieves, the lot of them," the guard replied. "They stole from Lord
Azre. I hear tell they removed over one hundred gems from the statues of the gods and even took the emerald eyes of the dragon. Each of those emeralds had to be the size of my fist."
Jewyl brought a tray of cheese and a few breads. "Enjoy." She bowed, and then started to leave.
"Ah, a beauty," the other guard grabbed her hand. "Let me see your full beauty. Pleasure me."
"Sir," Jewyl replied. "I am but a lowly cook to wait upon you. My husband and children await my return for their meals"
"Let them wait," the guard said. "What I wish is to only behold you. That will only take a few moments."
Jewyl struggled back in mock innocence. She could feel the clench of the man's hand and knew she could quickly twist and snap free.
"Let her go," his companion ordered. "We are here on official business." The guard turned to Hvar. "Have you seen the ones we seek?" He twisted back to his companion. "I said let her go!"
Jewyl jerked her hand free, pulled it close to her waist and pretended to massage it. The guard had barely held her, yet she needed to appear to be a helpless woman.
"You may go." Hvar nodded to Jewyl.
Jewyl slowly walked to the kitchen area and hesitated at the doorway. She glanced back at the guards and Hvar. Her admirer watched her. She went into the kitchen and closed the door. There were back stairs for her to get to her room. She glanced at the door to the back of the inn. A few quick steps. She opened and slammed the door.
"Let me go and apologize to your cook," the guard said and stood up.
"Please." Hvar boldly placed a hand on the guard's shoulder and pushed him to sit. "You've done more than you need. I just heard the back door. She has probably already left for her home. Fleeing, if you must know." He grinned feebly.
"Fleeing is correct," the guard said and smiled snidely. "Her husband has no idea how lucky he is, especially today."
The other guard slapped him in a friendly manner. "Yes, if only."
"If you need anything else, just call me." Hvar bowed and left.
# # #
Jewyl smoothed the cloth of her jerkin and adjusted the belt of fabric that bound her breasts. Pulling her hair up over her head, she cocked her face one way then another for the sheer joy of admiring her manly appearance. "Would this pass Jopab's inspection?" she whispered. She placed the leather helmet on her head and darkened her lower cheeks and jawbone: a facade of a beard’s shadow. She nodded approval. Jopab will have to agree, she thought.