by Katie Roman
Chapter Seventeen
She remained happy. Every night for two weeks she played, and Pim’s prediction of the Emerald Rose becoming respectable wasn’t far off. The regular gamblers came in early, but by nine almost every night, a crowd formed to hear Aleka play. In all her time playing at the Battered Traveler, she’d never drawn such a crowd. From the bits of conversation she heard, people came for the music as much as for the novelty of dancing in the Emerald, whose reputation as a rough-and-tumble tavern endured.
The owner, Joshua, even came by to see Aleka. He talked only to Pim, but before he left he gave Aleka a gold noble as a reward for drawing in so much business. He never really had anything else to say to anyone when he stopped by, but he approved of her music. He even paid Ronald for his troubles of having to lend out his instrument.
It didn’t matter that Aleka continued to sleep in the storeroom. She was finally able to buy a dress that actually fit, she could play violin again without anyone in House Greyhome pulling the strings, and she had friends. Most mornings she still woke in a somber mood, remembering Halia, remembering the Admiral’s violence. But in those dark moments she prayed to Lekyu, the god of healing, to heal her troubled mind and soul. Beyond those gloomy mornings, she put all ideas of revenge from her mind. She was content.
Aleka was sitting in the common room, playing cards with Jack. Outside, the sound of rain pattered against the roof. Pim was visiting Mistress Kiori, leaving the two of them to watch the tavern for the day. He’d asked Aleka to do it since she slept in the storeroom, but a hungover Jack had wandered in from the rain. Aleka shared her lunch of chicken pasties and made him tea, and in exchange, he told her he would teach her one of the card games that was often played in the tavern.
“Wicked Hearts,” Jack said as he shuffled the cards, “is all about bluffing and convincing the other players you hold the strongest cards in the deck.” He laid out the kings, queens, and jacks.
“So you’ve said,” Aleka said, annoyed at being told for the fifth time in as many games.
“Then why is it that you insist on letting me know what cards are in your hands each game?”
“I haven’t said a word!”
Jack dealt out five cards to each of them. “You don’t have to. I can see it in the way you purse your lips and the way your breath catches. Remain neutral, or you’ll be taken for all you’re worth.”
Aleka rolled her eyes, unconvinced she was as transparent as he suggested, and picked up her cards. “There!” Jack snapped. As he spoke, Aleka could feel her lips pushing together in disdain at the poor hand she had been dealt.
“Pox and rot!”
“You are a terrible liar, Lansa. It’s a wonder you’ve survived on the Lane at all.” Jack looked down at his cards, shaking his head.
“What is that supposed to mean, Anders?” Aleka set her hand aside, carefully putting the cards face down on the table.
“You were obviously some noble’s pet before you took off. We all know it. There’s no other way you could be so talented on the violin. No employer, no matter how kind hearted, would allow you the time to get good on an instrument unless they doted on you. You blew into the Angel, declaring yourself ‘Queen Bitch’ in an effort to boast your bravado, when it’s clear to me you’re just a scared girl.” He stopped looking at his cards, looking her over with searching hazel eyes.
She took a moment to really look at him, the same way he looked at her. He was a constant mess, with a scraggly beard that hung down his chin and long, uncombed hair. He reeked of whiskey, even though he was sober. His clothes were dirty and patched poorly. Rumor was he kept a fine horse in the stables at the Angel, but Aleka couldn’t believe such a filthy human, who could barely see to himself, could see to an animal.
“You have some nerve talking down to me, Jack Anders! You’re a drunk whose only use is bullying gamblers into behaving. You can’t even keep your beard clean. For some reason, you decided to crawl into a bottle and refuse to come out and face the world like the rest of us.”
Jack looked surprised, his eyes widening a little under his knotted hair. “I didn’t mean to get your ire up,” he replied, sounding sincere. “I just think you need to learn to bluff a little better. You draw in a lot of crowds so people can hear you play. It’s only a matter of time until the wrong people notice.”
Aleka’s heart skipped a beat. She thought of Janey and everyone at the Battered Traveler. The guards knew she used to be a regular there, and had gone to the tavern looking for her. If word of Aleka’s violin playing got off the Lane and onto Seafarer’s Way, could she trust her former friends not to say anything? Did it matter? The guards looking for her knew she played the violin there. Wouldn’t they come sniffing around if people started talking about a young Nareroc girl playing at the Emerald Rose? Perhaps she had become too content in the past few weeks. It was time to make an exit plan.
“I’m safe here,” Aleka said as she swallowed a lump in her throat.
“Safe from what?” Jack stared at her.
Aleka didn’t know if he asked out of curiosity or because he was digging for something. She didn’t answer.
“Another game,” Aleka said. “I’m going to try for a neutral face this time.”
“I’ll deal hands until you get it right.”
~*~*~
“Ugh, Jack’s just a nasty drunk.” Daisy snorted in derision. “Don’t let him bully you.”
The next day, Aleka ate her noonday meal with Essie and Daisy at the Angel, relaying the card game with Jack.
“He’s only trying to scare you,” Essie said. “People run off on employers all the time. Most nobles don’t care enough to hunt ‘vermin,’ which is what they think of us as. No one is going to storm the Lane because you were unhappy enough to run.”
Aleka practiced her game face, keeping the tension that boiled inside her from reaching her eyes. If only she had simply walked out of the Admiral’s household rather than going out like a tornado.
“I just don’t want anyone to come to me with fines or drag me off to the pillory. It’s still a crime to steal your employer’s dress.” And run out on your indentureship, she thought. And punch the nobility...
Essie said nothing about their talk at the Angel that first desperate night, a small favor in Aleka’s eyes. But Daisy believed her when she said she worried only of being fined for leaving her employer. Poor liar, indeed, Aleka thought. Jack wasn’t entirely wrong, though. Aleka had always let her emotions rest on the surface. She added a neutral expression to her list of things to practice, along with losing her Golden Road accent. People knew she didn’t come from Rogue’s Lane, but at least they didn’t assume she didn’t belong there.
“It’s been over a fortnight since you left,” Daisy added. “I can’t imagine anyone, even those gold-plated idiots up on Golden Road, would spend that much energy seeking you out. It’s not like it’s hard to come by another maid.” Daisy spooned stew into her mouth.
“You’ll be fine, Kunegunda.” Essie reached across the table and patted her hand comfortingly. She smiled and winked. “You worry too much.”
“Your Majesty,” Charlie winked as he passed their table heading for Marcus’s throne.
“And ignore fools like Charlie and Jack,” Essie instructed. “They’re just trying to rile you up.”
Charlie certainly was, but Aleka wasn’t so sure what Jack’s reasoning was. He’d brought it up and almost seemed to be warning her. That was a normal trend in Aleka’s life. It had been some time since anyone cautioned her, but all her old uncertainties resurfaced after their card games.
“Cheer up, Kunegunda.” Daisy pinched her cheek. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“If anything,” Essie added between bites of her own stew, “you are in a most lucrative position. The Emerald Rose had a certain reputation, but now people are coming from all corners of Rogue’s Lane and Seafarer’s Way to hear you. It’s made innkeepers like Jim Little,” she inclined her head towa
rd Jim, who was conducting business at the entrance of the Angel, “take notice. He’s likely to make you an offer to come here.”
“Well he’ll have to fight Joshua and Pim for the honor,” Daisy argued. Swiveling her head to Aleka, she added, “Don’t think I don’t know about the gold noble you got from Joshua.” Daisy narrowed her eyes in mock anger. “I don’t understand why you’re still sleeping in the storeroom, though. You make good coin in tips from serving drinks and fiddling.”
Aleka rubbed the back of her neck. “For starters, I don’t know where to look, and besides, Pim doesn’t charge me to sleep on the floor, so long as Joshua doesn’t catch me.”
“It’s a wonder rats haven’t chewed through you yet,” Daisy huffed. “We’ll have a look tomorrow at some of the women’s boarding houses on the Lane. They’ll at least have a real bed for you and not some nest of blankets like you were a giant, flightless bird.”
Aleka appreciated Daisy and Essie’s help. It eased her mind to have them offering to assist her. She never expected to find friends such as them after she fled the Admiral’s. Everything had turned around in the last couple of weeks, and Aleka felt better each day. Even when the cloud Jack cast over her seemed to darken everything, she was confident it wouldn’t last.
~*~*~
Aleka headed to the Angel for breakfast, which is where she’d found herself most days since coming to the Lane. Essie, and sometimes Daisy, would join her for a quick bite before beginning their days.
The day was already warmer than usual, and the chill of the last week seemed to have melted away. Aleka felt light as she wove through the morning streets, a smile on her face as the sun’s rays warmed her. It was the first morning she hadn’t woken up in tears. Her conversation with Jack drifted away on the warm morning breeze. He had just been trying to scare her. Nothing more. And yet, Aleka felt a gnawing fear deep within her that he was right. She shook the thought away.
When she arrived at the Angel, Essie was waiting outside. Aleka approached with a smile that quickly faded when she saw Essie’s answering frown. “Is everything alright?”
Essie crooked a finger, leading Aleka away from the Angel. “We had some Golden Road guards visit last night. They were looking for a runaway indentured servant named Aleka Akoni,” Essie said. She walked fast, head down, her long hair swinging into her face, like she was trying to hide her mouth. “I’m terrible with names, but the name Aleka seemed so familiar. Then I overheard them say the girl had a record, had been arrested a few months back after a domestic ‘incident’, as they called it.” She ducked into an alley between two boarding houses, pulling Aleka in behind her. She pushed her against the wall, holding Aleka there. “Keep your secrets, Kunegunda. No one ends up on the Lane from Golden Road without good reason, but I wanted you to know that they’re looking.”
Run! Aleka’s brain screamed. Run and hide! But where would she go? “What do I do?” she asked in a panic. “Like a fool, I became comfortable because I tasted freedom for the first time.” She touched her egret necklace, trying to draw strength. The real Kunegunda wouldn’t run; she would stand and fight. But what did Aleka have to fight with?
“Don’t panic,” Essie said. “Just lay low. Don’t play for a while. Nobles lose interest in people like us fairly quickly.”
Aleka knew that wouldn’t be true in her case, but she didn’t say anything to Essie. She rubbed her temples. “I should have fled Glenbard like the King of Thieves advised me to do in the first place.” She looked at the shadows of the alley, almost feeling them closing around her. The warmth of the day meant nothing against the sudden chill in her heart.
“Let’s get something to eat and we’ll figure something out.” Essie took Aleka’s hand, trying to lead her from the alley, but she dug her heels in.
“My only safety will be in leaving Cesernan altogether. My old master is an influential man, and he can chase me across the country if he chooses. I need to get on a boat and leave.”
Essie frowned, but nodded. “Don’t worry, Kunegunda. I’ll help you find safety.”
~*~*~
Aleka was hesitant to return to Seafarer’s Way, but there was nowhere else to speak with trade ship captains. Essie and Aleka agreed to split up to find her work as a ship’s cook. While Essie tried to find her real work, Aleka used her time to question sailors about Captain Blackstone instead, asking if he’d been seen recently.
The first group of sailors she questioned looked at her like she was a fool, laughing to themselves and waving her on without saying anything helpful. Annoyed, but not discouraged, she moved down to the dock of the next ship. A cluster of five men stood around, enjoying some food and drink.
“A doxie come to us,” one laughed as Aleka approached. “What luck is this?” He reached out for Aleka, but she slapped his hand away.
“I suggest keeping that to yourself if you want to keep it. I’m no doxie looking for pay. I have questions and I thought smart lads such as yourselves might answer them.”
The man laughed again, pointing away from the docks. “The Gilded Lily is that way.” His mates laughed and Aleka ground her teeth.
“I’m no prostitute, and if you call me one again, I’ll cut that foul tongue from your mouth.”
“Better watch it,” one of his fellows said playfully. “That’s the Queen Bitch herself. I’ve seen her hangin’ ‘round the Angel a time or two.”
The first man looked Aleka over, his eyes lingering too long on her chest. “Royalty, eh? Well, I never. What does such a fine Queen want from humble commoners such as ourselves?”
“I need information on Captain Blackstone and the Fearless Dawn.” Her request was met with uproarious laughter. Her hands clenched into fists, but she held her tongue and stayed her attack. She needed information, and brawling with idiots would draw too much attention.
“You looking for Blackstone?” One of the other men said, nearly spitting his drink all over her. A few rogue droplets still hit her face, even as most hit the wood near her feet. “A pretty thing like you? Nay, you can find a better man than that dunghill rat.”
“Shut your fat face,” Aleka snarled through clenched teeth.
“Now, now lads, let the Queen be,” the first man said. “Blackstone hasn’t been ‘round in months, and good thing, too.” He spit near Aleka’s feet. “We don’t need bastards like him stealing from our trade ships. Now shove off, Your Majesty, before I report you.”
Aleka didn’t wait to tempt fate or find out what grounds he planned to report her on. She walked away, finding most sailors were of a similar mindset. She threatened violence to more than one sailor with grabby hands.
She made her way along the docks, getting nowhere. A few offered real advice, saying if she wanted to join a ship’s crew, she’d do better trying to conceal her breasts and pretend to be a man, stating no one would take a woman seriously otherwise. A few others went so far as to tell her the last known whereabouts of Captain Blackstone and the Fearless Dawn, telling her it had been two whole seasons since the ship had docked in Glenbard.
It was a mostly fruitless day for them both, as Essie had no success in trying to find Aleka honest ship’s work. Aleka parted ways with Essie, promising to return to the docks the next day and try again. By the time Aleka made it to the Emerald Rose, she was in a mood so foul, she would only communicate in grunts.
“You and Jack make a matched set,” Daisy teased. She leaned against the bar counter while Seamus tried to clean around her.
“I had a rough day.” Aleka stretched her back.
“Just be sure to smile while you play tonight,” Pim said as he lit the chandelier’s candles.
“I don’t think I’m going to play tonight. I don’t feel up to it.”
“Call a healer!” Daisy put her hand on Aleka’s forehead theatrically. “She must be sick!”
“Your playing brings in a lot of business,” Pim said, shocked. “People will be here tonight to hear you. I hope you’re not serious.”
“That certainly explains your sour mood.” Daisy took one of her hands, inspecting it. “But you’ll be disappointing my coin purse if you don’t play.” She winked and dropped Aleka’s hand.
“I think she should take a break,” Jack said as he came into the tavern. “She’s attracting the wrong crowd. How am I supposed to crack skulls if respectable folk come here to dance?” He stopped next to Aleka, leaning against the bar, locking eyes with her.
“The people will just have to settle for Ronald tonight,” Pim sighed, hefting the chandelier back up. “But you need to play tomorrow.”
Aleka nodded, glad Pim was understanding enough to let her pass for the night. She would figure out tomorrow when it came. Everyone else went back to their duties, but when Aleka went into the storeroom to grab her apron, Jack followed.
“Can I help you, Anders?”
He leaned close. For once he didn’t smell like alcohol, just sweat. “The city guards are looking for you, Akoni,” he whispered. She froze in her spot, mouth hanging open at his use of her true name. He shook his head and reached over to close her mouth. “I sent them off, saying I didn’t know anything beyond my post at the door. They’ll be back, though. They weren’t satisfied.”
“I’m trying to get out of Glenbard,” she hissed.
“You need to try harder. Pim and Joshua won’t protect you when the guards come looking for Aleka Akoni again.” He gripped her shoulder, giving it a meaningful squeeze. Then he left her clutching her apron alone in the storeroom.
~*~*~