by Bob Nailor
"Probably stolen," the vendor sneered. "It was, not less than mere moments ago." Chardo lifted the hood and smiled at them. "They really are very beautiful jewels," he said and held the piece into the air for the sun to reflect on.
"You are to meet us at the inn," Jopab said. "Put that away."
"My necklace," a woman's voice yelled. "Give it to me."
"Yes, m'lady," Chardo said and bowed low. "I noticed it being kicked about and picked it up." He bowed, offering up his hand with the necklace dangling from it. "I was looking at its beauty in the sunlight."
The young lady pulled the necklace from his hand as he stood.
"Such a lovely item and much too valuable to lose," Chardo said and smiled at the stranger. "Perhaps a reward?"
"Reward?" she echoed and hesitated a few seconds to stare at Chardo. "Yes, of course," she said and produced a coin. "A silver token should suffice?"
Chardo took the coin from her and gently kissed the back of her hand. "A simple kiss from your lovely lips to my cheek would have sufficed," he said and stepped away from her.
"Get on with you now," Jopab said and pushed Chardo away.
"May Hagontha bless you at evening sun," Chardo said, and slipped into the market place's crowd.
"What a strange blessing," the woman said. "How odd." She admired her necklace then stuffed it into a leather pouch. "I don't plan to lose this again," she said and knotted the pouch's strings to her belt. "Do I know you?" she asked and looked at Jewyl.
"I doubt it," Jewyl said. "What is your name?"
"They call me Halia," the woman said and dropped the filmy scarf that covered the lower part of her face. "I am the daughter of Lord Leniv."
"Sorry, I don't recognize you," Jewyl said. "We must be on our way."
"Safe journey and be careful of our thieves," Halia said.
"Thieves?" Jopab asked.
"Like the one who stole my necklace," Halia replied. "I was very lucky to get my necklace back. If he hadn't approached you, I may never have seen it again."
"Thank you," Jewyl said. "We'll be careful."
"Enjoy your visit," Halia said and casually sauntered into the fray of the market.
Jewyl watched her until she was well out of sight and they had moved beyond their location.
"What is it?" Jopab asked when Jewyl, for the third time, innocently stopped and checked where they had been while pretending to shop.
"Nothing," she replied.
Jopab frowned. "Nothing? I think not," he said. "Who is she?"
Flustered, Jewyl threw down the fabric that she'd been fingering. "I'm not sure if Halia will remember me or not. Yes, I know her."
"Let me guess, this is not a good thing," Jopab said.
"I'm really amazed she didn't recognize Chardo," Jewyl said.
She turned and walked aimlessly down the street. Jopab followed quietly. Jewyl looked up at the sign above her. She smiled. Nanzo's Inn.
"Let's get something to drink," she said and walked into the establishment.
Jopab looked up at the sign then shook his head. He didn't know what was going to happen, but hoped that it wouldn't cause a stir.
"Nanzo," Jewyl said to the thin man carrying a tray. "Two, please."
The man's face squinted momentarily then a broad smile crossed his face.
"Is it truly you?" he asked.
Jewyl nodded agreement and smiled at the innkeeper. "It has been some time since I last saw you," she said. There was a moment of silence as she thought. "Back at Hound's Inn. What brought you to Zornal?"
"A wife," Nanzo said. "My wild days are over. I have three children now. Ah, here's Isa now."
A petite woman breezed into the room from the kitchen. She carried a small child in a sling over her back.
"Isa, dear," Nanzo said. "Please meet a dear friend, Jewyl."
She stopped and cocked an eye toward Jewyl. "A friend?" Her voice was high and piercing. "Another of your cronies come looking for free drinks?"
"There will be no free drinks to me or my friend," Jewyl said. She reached into her pouch and pulled a small blue jewel from it. "This should cover most of our expenses, will it not?"
Isa took the jewel and fingered it before checking the clarity in a sunbeam. "It is a good stone and will cover a night's keep, supper for two and a few drinks, but no more."
"That will be more than adequate," Jewyl replied. "Now Nanzo, tell me how you met your lovely bride."
"Nanzo," Isa snapped. "There is work to be done. Now is not a time for dallying." She jerked her head toward the group of men in the corner. "They need attending."
"We'll take the room," Jewyl said. "Perhaps later we can talk."
"Follow me," Isa said and tromped across the room. "If you want to refresh yourself, there is a tub in the room out back and there is a trough of water to use."
She led them up the stairs. "This is your room. I cleaned it this morning."
Jewyl stepped in and glanced about the room. A bed, a table, two chairs, a well-used oil lantern, one small candle and a closet. "This will do nicely," Jewyl said. "Simple." She sat down on the bed and noted the straw was fairly clean but the sheets had stains and dirt smudges on them.
"You must be kept very busy here," Jewyl said.
"Nanzo is a good man, but tends to allow his friends to cheat him of an honest living," Isa said. "Your meal — would you like that up here, or down in the tavern." She attempted a smile.
"Up here," Jopab said quickly. "We have much to do. How far to Hagontha's temple?"
Isa stepped to the window. "You can see it from here," she said. "Maybe four or five blocks. You're followers of Hagontha?"
Jopab nodded. Isa looked to Jewyl who shrugged in attempt to be noncommittal.
"No business of mine," Isa said. "I'm sure Nanzo needs some help. I'll bring your supper later." She turned and stomped out of the room, closing the door with a loud slam.
Jewyl placed a finger to her lips and waved for Jopab to be silent. She waited, knowing full well in the manner Isa walked, the woman was just outside the door, listening.
"If you are tired," Jewyl finally said. "I can take a short walk in the market."
The sound of Isa's loud steps indicated her departure.
"Would you like some company?" Chardo said from the window and climbed in. "I didn't think that she-devil was ever going to leave. Dainty, isn't she?" Chardo dusted himself off. "I thought we were to meet at the Red Stone Inn."
"Where is Percho?" Jopab asked.
"Here," came the reply as he gingerly clung to the window's edge and pulled himself in. "I am not a thief, and care nothing for climbing into second story windows."
"At least we are all here," Jewyl said. "Jopab wants to make plans."
"How did you do with Halia?" Chardo said. "I thought she looked familiar."
"Of all the people to steal a necklace from," Jewyl said. She slapped him across his chest. "A full market, and you have to pick Halia? You had to steal from her?"
"Ease up," Chardo said. "She had a cloth across her face. How was I to know?"
"Why did you even bother to steal?" Jopab asked.
"Once a thief, always a thief," Chardo replied. "I have to keep up my practice."
"She knew you to be a thief," Jewyl said. She sat down on the chair by the table. "I just hope she doesn't remember you. If she does, she will soon remember me, and the trouble will begin." Jewyl looked around the room. "Like we're not in enough trouble already."
"Soon," Jopab said. "It will be over."
"I was able to find out the Holy Father is here," Percho said.
"Let us make our plans," Jopab said. He sat in the other chair and pulled a parchment from his bag. "I shall sketch the temple and how we will approach our victim."
"What is your plan when Isa comes back with your food?" Chardo asked and smiled at the group. "She is coming back, you know."
"Let me offer her another gem and ask for two more meals," Jewyl said. "I don't think she'll be ag
ainst the payment."
"I'm sure she won't," Jopab said. "Although, she might be curious as to how two more people got upstairs without her noticing. Somehow, I feel she will be a woman to reckon with. A formidable force, I'm sure."
"Perhaps Nanzo will be able to control her," Chardo said. "Then again, perhaps not."
"Go do what you must," Jopab said and waved Jewyl away. "We'll wait." He stood up and walked over to the bed. "Probably not that comfortable, either," he said and lay down.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Zornal's Temple of Hagontha
Jewyl quietly closed the door behind her.
"It certainly took you long enough," Chardo said. "How long before we eat?"
Jopab sat up on the bed. "She probably was talking with the owner," he said then rolled off the bed. "Correct?"
"No," Jewyl replied and took a seat at the small table. "I had to wait for her to come out of the kitchen."
"So we have food coming?" Chardo asked. He rubbed his hands together in preparation.
"She wasn't happy," Jewyl said. "She wanted to make sure that you two weren't staying the night. I gave her the stone and assured her you would be gone."
Chardo shook his head. "As usual," he said, "back to the stable or worse."
"Actually, no," Jewyl said. She looked at Percho and noticed him starting to perk up. "I was able to find out there is closed off section above us."
"Above?" Percho echoed in a questioning tone.
"I would have thought the next floor up would be the proprietor's rooms," Jopab said.
"They were," Jewyl said. "Seems Isa didn't like climbing all the stairs and new rooms were built over the stable."
"Whoops," Chardo said. "Seems we won't be sleeping with the horses. No roll in the hay tonight."
Percho grinned and a slight blush filled his cheeks.
"Now, back to the problem at hand," Jopab said. "Have you any idea of how you plan to fulfill your obligation?"
"Simple," Jewyl said. "We go into the temple as faithful followers of Hagontha, get close to that bastard, I slit his throat, we leave. Easy in and quick out."
"Are you mocking me?" Jopab asked. He leaned back on the bed. "It won't be that easy, nor will we just walk up to the Holy Father."
"Remember," Percho said. "We are being sought after. I'm sure the fellowship of the brothers will be looking for another attempt by us on the Holy Father. I doubt anyone other than the closest of his elite corps will be allowed near him."
Jewyl watched out the window, her face wrinkling in frowns.
"What is your problem?" Chardo asked. He rapped on the table. "Hey! We need your attention over here." He stretched to look out the window. "What is it?"
"Guards," Jewyl replied. "A lot of them and they appear to belong to Azre."
Chardo pushed closer as Percho and Jopab leaned against him to see out the small window.
"It wasn't that easy to fit me through the window alone," Chardo said pushing his way back. "But let's face it, four people crammed into and gawking out a window might bring a little suspicion to a wandering guard."
"I think we need more info," Jopab said, once more laying on the bed. "Let's hope Isa brings up some food soon, and we can wander the streets to find out what we can hear."
As if on cue Isa knocked on the door, startling the group. Chardo opened the door and Isa walked in with four ales and was quickly followed by two others with steaming trays of foodstuffs. She glared at Percho and Chardo.
"So these are the two mystics?" she asked and placed the ales on the table. "They certainly don't look very mystical to me." She stepped back and wiped her hands on the dirty apron. She scrutinized the group before waving the two girls out. "There should be enough for the four of you to enjoy. If you need more, let me know." She made a slight wrinkle of the nose and rolled her eyes toward the ceiling.
Jewyl did a quick inventory: 4 bowls and plates, 4 spoons and forks, 1 cutting knife, a tureen of soup, 4 small biscuits, a small slab of butter, a satisfactory size hunk of steaming meat, a bowl of hot, mixed vegetables and 4 ales. She's right, Jewyl thought. Just enough to feed us.
"Mystics," Isa murmured. "More likely common thieves." She walked to the door, gave one last glance at the group before pulling the door closed behind her.
Jewyl held up her hand for silence and she listened. She was sure Isa was again listening on the other side.
"Chardo? See if you can get Isa," Jewyl said loudly. "I don't see a cutting knife."
Chardo frowned and pointed at the object on the tray.
Jewyl could hear Isa's foot treads as she hustled down the hall and stairs. She smiled at the group.
"Just clearing the walls of unwanted ears," she said. "Let's eat. This should be very satisfying since we didn't have to hunt, kill or in any manner, collect this meal. Enjoy."
"Another ale for each of us would have been nice," Chardo said. "Still, better than nothing."
"She only has two hands, Chardo," Percho chastised. "This is good," he said pointing at the bowl of soup he held.
"Two hands? Not from what I can remember," Chardo replied and smiled. "I've seen this woman before and I think she belongs to the Thieves Guild." Chardo twirled the spoon in his fingers. "Isabelle of the Ten Fingers." He nodded his head. "Yes, that was her name back then."
"Do you plan to elaborate or is that it?" Jewyl rolled her eyes at Chardo.
"Let me say this, guard well any possession of value." Chardo tasted the food. "Guard it very good, indeed."
"Back to the issue at hand, how to accomplish our goal," Jopab said.
"So, I don't just saunter in and kill our Most Holy Father." Jewyl wiped the juices from her chin. "Anyone got a better idea? Hmm? What's this?" She lifted a small object between her fingers into the air.
"Probably a bone," Percho said. He slurped loudly from the soup bowl's edge.
"Bones don't glisten or glitter," Jewyl replied. "This is a diamond. How odd?"
"Meat don't have diamonds," Chardo said and leaned over to take the gem. He wiggled it between his index and thumb. "Definitely a diamond. Wonder who lost this?"
"My gem!" The woman's voice carried throughout the inn. "Somebody has stolen my diamond."
Jewyl froze. The voice she recognized. It was Halia.
"It had to be Chardo. He tried to steal my necklace earlier." Halia's voice vibrated the rafters. "I saw him come in here. He must be staying in a room since I don't see him now. Call Lord Azre's guards! Immediately!"
"I do believe that is my call to exit and disappear," Chardo said and placed his almost finished bowl on the table. He gazed at Jewyl. "Will you be joining me?"
Jewyl placed her bowl on the tray beside Chardo's. "It would be in my best interest. It is obvious Halia recognized you, so I am more than sure she knows who I am."
"For all of us to leave through the window would be awkward and very noticeable." Jopab nodded toward the window. "I can hear somebody coming up the stairs as we talk. I would recommend an exit and very quickly."
"Best hiding place is above," Chardo nodded at the ceiling and dashed to the window and scurried out. He turned and offered a hand to Jewyl.
"I can do this," she said and quickly maneuvered out the window.
Percho quickly joined them as they scrambled up the wall to the floor above which had been the old residence. Chardo carefully opened the window, peeked in and then cautiously entered.
"We'd best hurry," Percho muttered. "Azre's guards should soon be appearing on the street and we'll have some difficulty explaining our presence out here."
"Percho! Give me your hand," Jewyl demanded and reached out to pull the cleric in.
Chardo motioned for silence. Below Halia ranted.
"Where is she?"
"My wife?" Jopab nonchalantly asked. "She has left with the wizards — the mystics who were visiting — to attend to some business. Is there a problem?"
"My diamond is missing." Halia stomped across the floor to stare out the window.
"How did they leave? They certainly didn't come down the stairs."
Jopab bowed. "Good woman, they are two mystics. How they travel is unknown to me." He shrugged. "It is magic. They were here." Jopab pointed at a location on the floor. "Then they were gone." He lifted and held his arms apart.
Chardo snickered and quickly covered his mouth.
Isa scurried into the room and quickly took inventory and then nodded approvingly. "If you are finished, I will take these away." Without waiting for a reply, she began to gather the bowls, plates and utensils. She leaned toward the door. "Tell Janesa to come and help me." Isa carefully poured the unused soup back into the tureen.
Halia watched the woman go about her chores. "When do you expect Jewyl to return?"
"Who is Jewyl? If you mean my wife, her name is Mersayn." He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. When she is finished, she will come back. We go to the temple tomorrow to visit the Holy Father."
"I want my diamond returned," Halia screamed and stomped her foot. She gazed at Nanzo, the inn keeper. "My father is Lord Leniv."
Nanzo bowed. "Most esteemed lady, I assure you these people are innocent. They came in, paid for their room and other than speaking with my wife, have not bothered anyone at the inn since their arrival. Could you have possibly lost it on the street?"
Halia paled.
"Janesa, where have you been?" Isa pulled the young girl into the room. "Take these dishes to the kitchen. I'll bring down the trays of food later."
Without the diamond, Jopab thought.
"I will have my servants search the street," Halia whispered. "I fear I will never see that gem again."
Nanzo nodded in agreement.
"Now, if you have no problem, I would like to visit the temple," Jopab said. "I understand it is just a few blocks away." He motioned toward the door in hopes the gathered people would depart.
"Who demanded Lord Azre's guards?"
Halia sheepishly looked at the guard. "I did. Earlier today I was robbed by a common pickpocket, but I was able to retrieve the item back. Just a little while ago I noticed my diamond was missing and demanded somebody get me guards."
"We are here to assist," the guard said. "Have you apprehended the thief?"
"It would seem I was mistaken earlier today. I was sure I recognized the pickpocket and this man's wife as Jewyl and Chardo. Is there not a warrant for their arrest?"