The morning found Tallia, Jeb, Poriya, and Macaque all sat around the table again eating breakfast. After they had finished eating, Poriya got up and started to clear the table. Tallia watched him with a little amusement on her face.
“What?” Poriya said looking irritated. “It’s my job, and I start now. Haven’t you three got things to do?”
Macaque jumped up on Tallia’s shoulders as she and Jeb stood up and headed for the door. Tallia, taking one last quick look back at Poriya heading towards the kitchen with the dirty plates in hand and she stifled a snigger.
She walked with Jeb to the square, and there they turned in opposite direction. Jeb towards the open plains to hunt for rabbits and Tallia down the hill towards the docks having decided that might be a good place to start to find the priest.
Back in the inn Poriya had finished washing their breakfast things up and returned to the bar to wipe the tables down. He noticed the hooded figure sitting in the corner quietly.
He had a strange feeling about this figure as if he should recognise them or had seen them before, but for some odd reason could not quite gather his thoughts enough.
He went over to wipe the table over, wanting to get a look at them. When he got close, he still could not see their face as it was very well hidden by the hood of their cloak. “Good day friend,” Poriya said. The hooded figure did not answer but pushed the empty tankard in front of them towards him. Poriya picked it up and went over to the bar and Bledros.
“What’s with them?” Poriya said nodding towards the corner table.
“You tell me. He came in a few days ago handed over a large purse of coins, turned and looked over the place before sitting himself in that corner. Didn’t say a word. So I poured an ale and took it over. That’s the only time he spoke or has done since.”
“What did he say?”
“Keep it full.”
“What? nothing else?”
“Nope, when I went to lock up that night all he did was push his tankard to me. Didn’t know what to do. So ended up filling it up and went to bed.”
“Was he still there in the morning?”
“Yep sure was. I haven’t seen him move from that spot since he first sat there. Day and night he just sits there.”
“Have you seen his face?”
“Nope, not even when he first came in. Look lad do me a favour just let him alone and keep topping his tankard up whenever he pushes it forward will you? Whoever that is, gives me the creeps.”
Poriya took the refilled tankard back over the hooded figure and placed it in the middle of the table. A hand slowly reached out and pulled it closer. Poriya lingered for a few moments hoping for something else, but clearly, this was not about to happen so he left and carried on wiping tables.
For the entire day Poriya kept an eye on the corner without making it obvious but not once did he see them move, except for the few times they pushed the empty tankard into the middle of the table. Poriya couldn’t work out how it was empty each time as he not once saw them take a drink.
As the sun was falling close to the horizon, Jeb came back heavily laden with rabbits. Bledros was beside himself with glee at the sight and ushered him into the kitchen. “How many have you got there lad?”
“Dunno,” said Jeb. “Lost count at twelve.”
Beldros roared with laughter. “Lost count at twelve he says. Come on then lad let’s count them together.”
Poriya walked into the kitchen just as they had finished counting. “You were not wrong Poriya, my friend,” Beldros boomed happily. “Your lad here has got me eighteen rabbits in one day, He is a marvel,” Beldros said as he slapped Jeb on the back causing the poor lad to almost fall over. It didn’t stop him from grinning though. Nothing could stop that right now.
“So lad,” Beldros said. “What’s the chances of a boar tomorrow?”
“No problem. I know where to find them now. Came across tracks on my way back,” Jeb said.
“Good, good.”
“I will only be able to bring one back though as they are heavy.”
Beldros burst out into laughter again. “One will be just fine lad.”
“Should have it here by lunchtime.”
Beldros began laughing so hard tears ran down his face. “By lunchtime, he says, by lunchtime. He’s a character.” Jeb was laughing as well now although didn’t really understand why that was so funny as he meant it.
Not long after Beldros had poured Jeb an ale, “on the house lad, on the house,” he said, Tallia and Macaque walked in looking very despondent. Jeb in his basking glory didn’t notice and said loudly and excitedly, “Tallia, I brought back eighteen rabbits, and Beldros was so pleased he gave me a free ale, and I am going to get a boar tomorrow, and when I said by lunchtime, Beldros laughed so hard he cried.”
“That’s great Jeb, well done,” she said quietly but sounded sad.
“What’s up?” Poriya said.
“I’ve not got anything, no clues, nothing. After a whole day of searching and going round in circles.”
“This is a big place Tallia. It might take a while for you to find anything.”
“It’s not that. I kept ending up back at the same place. I just kept going round in circles. I must be missing things.”
Poriya thought for a few moments and then said, “you need to find a map maker. See if they have a map of the city. That way you can cross off where you have been and not get lost.”
Tallia looked up with renewed hope. “Oh Poriya you are brilliant, what a great idea,” and she kissed him on the cheek making him blush a little,
“It wasn’t that good an idea, just obvious really,” he said.
“Beldros?” Tallia called over to him. “Do you know where I will find a map maker?”
“As a matter of fact, I do young lady,” Beldros replied. “Old Carl Tografer. You will find him by taking a left at the square and then another left two streets back from the docks. He won’t be there now mind. Try him first thing tomorrow. Not had any luck today then?”
“No,” she replied.
Unseen by everyone, the hooded figure smiled.
Chapter XVIII
The following morning Tallia and Macaque found Carl Tografer‘s small shop. As she opened the door, a little bell hung over it tinkled. The walls were covered in beautifully framed and exquisitely detailed maps. There was a counter that ran along the back of the shop with shelves behind piled high with rolled up maps.
A door opened to the right of her, and a wizened old man with a long white beard and bald head save for a few unruly wisps of hair shuffled through. “Yes, yes, where are you looking for?” he croaked as he made his way behind the counter.
“Hello,” Tallia said, “I’m looking for a map of the city please.”
Carl looked up at Tallia, his face brightened, and old eyes sparkled. “My, my, my you are very pretty. Those eyes, amazing.”
“Thank you, sir,” Tallia said and smiled a little bashfully.
“Now tell me what can an old man like me do for you, young lady?”
“I need a map of the city, please. I am trying to find a priest.”
“There are plenty of priests around. You don’t need a map for that.”
“It’s a particular priest I am looking for. He has a symbol of a fish in the middle of his robes.”
“Have you tried asking one of the other priests, you know one without the fish on him.”
“Yes, I have spoken to three so far. They all said they had never heard of such a thing.”
“Can’t say I have either. There are lots of churches around the city. Maybe you should try visiting them?”
“Do you know where I can find all of them?”
“Who me? Oh heavens no.”
Tallia’s heart sank at this and felt her quest was beginning to be impossible.
“What you need, young lady, is a map. I think I have one somewhere here.”
Hope sprung up again in Tallia along with a feeling of exaspe
ration at the old man. Carl turned around and started rifling through the rolled up maps behind the counter while muttering to himself. It took several moments, and just as Tallia was beginning to think he may never find it, he said “Got it,” and turned around. He spread the map out on the counter and said, “Here we go. What was it you were looking for?”
“Churches.”
“Oh, yes. If you look, you can see each church marked with a symbol of the god they worship there. Which god are you wanting to worship?”
He had just given Tallia an idea of how she could possibly find the priest quicker. If she concentrated on Larknoz that was most likely to have the priest with the fish in it. “Larnoz,” Tallia said quite excitedly.
“Well there are lots of them,” he said. “Maybe you should take the map with you.”
“Yes please,” Tallia said, and Carl started rolling the map back up.
“That will be two coins.”
Tallia paid him and said goodbye. She stepped out back into the street feeling that at last things were moving forward and she will find the priest.
Deciding that it was best to start at the docks so she knew exactly where on the map she was. At a tavern looking out over the docks that had tables outside Tallia sat down and spread the map out to study it and work out where she would go first.
As she gazed at the map and the unruly mess of streets that wiggled in all directions she realised that she had never looked at a map before and was much harder to work out what was what or where was where.
She felt like she was going to cry when a voice next to her said, “Can I get you anything?” Tallia looked up with tears begging to form in her eyes at a handsome young man not much older than herself. “Whatever is the matter?” He said.
Tallia looked away from him in embarrassment that she had been caught on the verge of crying and didn’t dare say anything in case her voice gave away how upset and helpless she felt. The young man sat down opposite her and looked at the map then back at her. He thought that maybe she was lost. He pointed to a point on the map and said, “You’re here.”
After a few moments of silence, Tallia said, “How do you know?”
He looked puzzled for a moment, and he then said, “Can you not read maps?”
Tallia shook her head slowly still not daring to look up at him.
“Hey, it’s okay, would you like me to teach you?”
“Yes please,” she answered in almost a whisper.
“Let me go get us a couple of drinks first. This will be thirsty work.”
Tallia looked up at him and smiled. On his return with the drinks, he began to explain how to look at a map, the things to look for to help work out where you were and which way things would be. By the time the sun was at it’s highest point in the sky, Tallia had got it and was now telling him how to read a map.
“Well done, you have learnt very quickly. It took me much longer to learn,” he said
“Ah, yes but you didn’t have such a good teacher as me,” Tallia said.
“You are too kind,” he said laughing. “Look I have to get back to work people will be arriving for food soon.”
“Thank you for your help again. Can I order some food I am rather hungry now.”
After Tallia and Macaque had eaten, she thanked him again took another look at the map, rolled it up and headed towards the first church she wanted to visit.
A loud knock at the door made Merek jump, and with annoyance, he opened the door to see the captain of the guard stood there with two of his men directly behind him.
Merek’s brow furrowed. “Yes captain, what can I do for you.”
“You have been urgently requested at the castle, your eminence.”
Merek’s heart missed a beat, and he felt his stomach lurch. “What for?”
“I am not privy to that information your eminence. Just that the elders wish to see you as a matter of urgency.”
“Okay, thank you, captain. Please let the elders know I will be along as soon as I can.”
“Sorry, your eminence. but I am instructed to return with you immediately.”
Merek’s stomach felt as if it was nearly in his mouth. “Well, that’s just not possible. I cannot just leave these good people to fend for themselves.”
“That’s all taken care of,” said the captain as he stepped to one side and Demski was pushed forward.
“Hello, my name is Demski. I have been sent as your replacement.”
Merek looked him up and down. “Temporary replacement.”
“Not for me to say but I suppose.”
“This makes no difference captain I still cannot just leave,” Merek said. “I need to hand over to err.”
“Demski,” Demski said.
“Yes, Demski. That will take at least ten days. I will also need to pack my things and arrange transport. So you see, it all takes time. Please convey my apologies to the elders for the delay, but it really is quite necessary.”
Captain Kagan stared at him with a blank expression for several moments making Merek feel uncomfortable, but he also was beginning to think that maybe he was winning. Merek was just about to open his mouth to make another statement when Captain Kagan said, “I’m going to get some ale and food. Be ready to leave when I get back.” He turned to his two men and said, “You two stay here and make sure he doesn’t leave.”
“But sir,” the one on the left said, “he is a priest. How can we?”
“Sit on him lad. I’m sure that’s allowed.” Kagan said, and Merek’s eyes bulged.
The captain started walking away leaving Demski wondering what to do. He got his answer straight away as Merek slammed the door in his face. He hurried down the street after the captain and said, “Mind if I join you?”
“Your most welcome your eminence.”
Merek emptied a large chest over the floor and started throwing things he thought he would need, along with things he didn’t want the other priest to know about. He was already in enough trouble.
It wasn’t long before the captain had returned and banged loudly on the door. Merek quickly closed the lid of the chest and locked it before opening the door.
“Ready?” Captain Kagan asked.
“I’ll need this chest,” Merek replied pointing to the chest in the middle of a now very messy room.
Kagan snorted and said to one of his men, “Bring it.”
“I’ll pack the rest of your stuff and send it on,” Demski said to Merek.
“No need. This will only be temporary, so don’t get comfortable,” Merek snapped back.
“Oh yes, of course,” Demski said.
The next three days went by quickly with Jeb successfully hunting more rabbits and the occasional bore, Poriya working in the inn and Tallia visiting as many churches as she could in a day but the further from the Inn she went the fewer she could visit in a day. Each priest she found knew nothing of the priest she sought or of the book or the legend of Amalia Beastwalker.
Each morning before going down for breakfast she would spread the map out on her bed where the rising sun would shine and study the map planning her day. It was one such morning when the sun seemed brighter than usual that she spotted something she had missed before. There on the docks where boats had been drawn there was one that had a small fish symbol on it. When she had looked at it before, she had guessed it was to mark a fishing boat. But where the eye of the fish was, she looked closer at the tiny eye and realised it was a circle with three wavy likes if it, the symbol of the goddess Larknoz.
She leapt up off the bed and quickly rolled the map up and ran towards the door. Macaque, who was dozing, had to run to catch her up and leapt onto her shoulders as she went through the door. She rushed down the ladder and through the bar out into the street heading to the docks not bothering with breakfast as she was far too excited.
Jeb and Poriya looked at each other in surprise. “Guess she is on to something,” Poriya said.
“Guess so,” Jeb said.
; “Either that or her ape just entered her into a race,” Poriya said, and they both laughed.
Tallia ran down the hill to the docks with Macaque hanging on for dear life wondering what was going on. She quickly found the small boat on the docks and there on the prow of the boat was the painted symbol of the fish, and its eye was the symbol of Larknoz. As she looked at the boat wondering how to see if there was anyone there, a priest appeared out from the wheelhouse.
“Hello,” Tallia called out, and the priest turned to see who was calling. As he turned, she could see he didn’t have the fish symbol on the front of his robes and her heart sank.
“Can I help you?” the priest asked.
Oh well, I might as well ask him she thought. “I am sorry to bother you so early,” Tallia said. “I am looking for a priest with the symbol of a fish on the front of his robes.”
The priest looked shocked and said, “You had better come aboard.” He helped Tallia jump from the jetty onto the deck and followed him below where he offered her a seat at a small table. “How do you know about my fish robes? I have never worn them in front of anyone.”
Tallia explained about Madam Xandra and the book she told her about and all about her quest for Amalia Beastwalker.
The priest sat and listened to her story with interest. Eventually, he said “How fascinating. I can’t help you with this Beastwalker person, but I think I know the book you speak of. I can’t be certain, but I believe I have seen it in my collection of books that I have. Come let’s go have a look.”
As they left the boat, he explained how he shared one of the churches close by with another priest and was rather unique as it had a large cellar where he stored his collections of books and old manuscripts.
Arriving at the church, he led her through to the back and into a small room. In the floor was a padlocked door which he opened and they climbed down a ladder into a large room. He lit a lantern and led her over to where several crates had been stacked.
He rummaged through a few before turning around with a big grin on his face. “I believe this is the book you are looking for.” He handed her a very old book bound in dark red leather with a symbol of Larknoz on it in faded gold.
Zantalth: The magic is returning Page 13