by Devyn Jayse
"Horace told me to sit here."
"Maybe he wants you to meet him. He would be the man to go to for a job. Though I don't know why you'd be sitting here now. He usually comes in at a later hour."
"What kind of man is he? Can I trust his word?"
"You don't have a choice, do you? If you're going to stay in these parts, you have to do what Blaze says. And don't have him turn on you. He's killed men in the past. I haven't heard of him killing women, but I'm not so sure he would draw the line at them."
"Why's he called Blaze?"
"When he was younger, he burnt down the homes of men who refused to do business with him."
"That sounds horrible."
"Yes, he's a scary sort, but that's why everyone stays out of his way. I try not to serve him when he's around, but the other serving girls get a thrill from being close to him. It doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes but, like I say, if you want to get close to Blaze expect to get burned."
"When did you say he usually comes in?"
"Much later, around sunset. People know to find him here. This is where he holds business. Aye, that's probably why Horace had you seated here." The last was almost to herself.
"Thank you for your time." I laid down an extra coin for her trouble.
She thanked me, removed the bowl, and disappeared.
14
Back outside, I decided to go search for The Fortune. I followed the directions the serving girl had given me and was happy I had asked because without them, I wouldn't have noticed it.
The store itself was very easy to overlook, located in a small building maybe two floors high. The only sign out front was a swirling F with a sword running through it.
A couple men were sitting outside on a wooden bench. They were tall and heavyset, with the grizzled look of guards gone to age. They scrutinized me as I walked past them and into the store. As I pushed open the door, a bell tinkled overhead. The store was empty.
"I'll be right out!" someone called from behind an archway. It was concealed by a long curtain.
Display cases topped with glass allowed me to see the multitude of weapons within. Some beautiful pieces were there. I had never seen such an assortment of blades. Some of them rivaled the ones I had seen within the castle.
A large cabinet stood against the far wall. I tucked my head under the shelf to look at a dagger at the bottom. It was etched in strange symbols, some repeated, apparently a language I didn't know. I loved the work on the dagger. It reminded me a little of the detailing on my sword even though I could tell the dagger was much older.
"May I help you?" A voice interrupted.
My head jerked up, knocking against the wood.
"I startled you."
No kidding. I winced and rubbed my head, hoping I wouldn't develop a bump. Turning around, I saw the man who had startled me.
He stood behind the counter with a slight physique and a mop of gray hair. Perched on his nose were glasses. His blue eyes pierced mine. I could tell he would never miss a detail, despite the glasses he wore. I knew immediately that he had been watching me for some time.
He didn't apologize for startling me. "I'm the storekeeper. Are you interested in anything in particular?"
"I was just looking at this dagger," I said, giving the display a nod.
Before I could continue, the door opened.
"Hello, Oscar!" A burly man boomed. He walked up to the counter, dispatching a parcel from his shoulder onto the countertop with a thud. As the man glanced at me, his eyes widened slightly, but he turned back to the storeowner. "Am I interrupting anything? I've brought the delivery you asked for."
The storekeeper, Oscar, gave me a silent question, and I waved it off. He gave me a small nod of understanding. After he conducted his business, I would ask my questions. I turned back to the dagger and studied the other deadly objects that occupied the same space.
"No, it's quite fine, Morris. Let's see what you've brought."
I heard the sound of parcels opening behind me.
"Aren't they beauties?" Morris asked. "Whoever gets to use them is a lucky fellow indeed. You'll manage to get these off your hands in a hurry. I don't think they'll stay here long."
"Unfortunately, you may be wrong there."
"Why? Don't tell me business is down. You have the best weapons outside the castle. Actually, I may wager you have the finest blades to compete against those within the castle. I wonder still why you don't open a store within the walls, but you'll have your reasons, I'm sure. We all do, or we wouldn't be here in the Blights."
"Delivery has been unreliable lately."
"How so?"
"The last two men that have gone out for deliveries have been accosted and merchandise taken from them."
My interest sharpened.
"Reliable fellows?" Morris asked.
"Yes, for the most part."
"Do you know who's behind it?"
"Here in the Blights? Who knows? It could be anyone."
"You know it must be Blaze and his gang."
"No, it wouldn't be him."
"How can you be sure? He's the chief lawbreaker of the Blights, the worst of the worst. Isn't anything done in the Blights that he doesn't know about or have a finger in."
"He isn't the worst of the worst," Oscar said mildly.
"He's bad enough, I reckon. You've heard the stories of all the things he's done over the years. How do you think one becomes the leader of all the criminal element in the Blights? By being rotten to the core!"
"Stories are merely stories. Besides, he and I have an understanding."
"Oh, you pay him protection tithe then, like all the other businesses? What if he's decided it's not enough and is trying to get more out of you?"
"He wouldn't do that."
"Suit yourself--defend the scoundrel. But how will you dispatch these, then?" Morris looked down at the goods he had brought in.
"I'll find a way even if I have to resort to taking them myself."
"Surely, you jest. If you need me to, I'll find you someone to dispatch the parcels. I'll find someone reliable, too."
"Thanks Morris, but that won't be necessary. I'll see you at the next delivery."
As I turned, I saw the storekeeper hand the man Morris a small money pouch. Morris thanked him and turned to leave. He gave me a small smile as he left.
I walked to the counter to see the new merchandise he had brought in. When I did, I let out a small "Oh," and my hand went toward a beautifully made knife. Before I touched it, I looked at the storekeeper.
"May I?"
"Yes," he replied.
"These are absolutely stunning." My fingers traced over the engravings on the blade.
"Do you know much about weaponry?"
"Not really, but I've always liked sharp objects."
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
"I was interested in the dagger in the display under the shelf. I noticed the strange etchings and wondered what language it was in."
He gave me a strange look. "Why do you think it's a language?"
"The patterns repeat themselves." I showed him by pointing them out.
"I don't know much about the dagger. The man who sold it to me told me it dates back from the old empire."
I knew that would have made it very valuable. "Why do you have it laid out so casually? Anyone can come in and take it."
"Most people just see an old dagger when they look at it. You're the first person who's ever mentioned it since I purchased it from the trader who brought it to me."
With a confidence I didn't feel, I said, "I overheard your problem with deliveries. I think I can help you solve them."
"How?"
"I can take your goods and get them there safely. No one knows me here and wouldn't suspect I carried anything valuable. I also have a sword and know how to use it, so you needn't worry that I couldn't defend myself. I don't know this Blaze, but I don't think he or his men would take a second look at me."
His eyes moved to my sword as I revealed it, and his eyes widened, but not in surprise. I couldn't interpret his expression. Just as quickly, his look turned thoughtful, and he studied me carefully, clearly weighing the advantages and disadvantages of my proposal. I didn't know if he could tell by my face how desperate for the job I was. I waited for his reply, and when it came, it was unexpected.
"You can start now."
He turned away and moved to the archway, stepping through the curtain. He returned shortly thereafter, carrying a small envelope as well as a modest package wrapped in thick burlap. He put both on the counter in front of me.
"Go to town. Take these to the man who lives in the house with the blue gate, the street before you reach the sea. He'll give you a pouch in return, so make sure you come straight back with it. Don't open any of the items you're given." He handed me the letter. I put it away in a small pocket in my cape. Then I took the package from the counter and stepped out of the store.
The men were still there. One of them eyed the package I carried in my arms.
Finding the house wasn't challenging. What was difficult was, after I approached the front of the house, having a maid sniff at me and tell me to walk around to the side door if I was making deliveries. Swallowing my pride, I did as requested. A man opened the door there. He looked me up and down, his eyes lingering on my shortened hair.
As he moved to close the door, I put my hand against it. "I'm expected to take something back."
"Wait here in the kitchen, then, while I go deliver this to the master."
I stepped inside.
The cook took one look at me and told me to grab a seat. "We've got some bread and cheese if you're hungry. And some ale if you're thirsty."
"That would be nice."
"It's the first time I've seen you. Where are you from?"
"Originally from the castle."
I knew she had meant where I was delivering from, but I had learned very early on that people were always terrible gossips. If I told her I was making a delivery from The Fortune, the news would make it back to Oscar by nightfall, I was sure.
Her eyebrow rose at that. "Oh, making deliveries from there, are you?"
I shrugged and bit into the bread a young girl placed on my plate. She stared at my hair, and it didn't escape the cook's attention.
"Is everyone up there cutting their hair short, then?"
"No, I just was tired of always braiding my hair, so I cut it."
The cook made a face. "I'm not saying you don't have a pretty face, because you do, but having your hair so short makes you look almost like a man. That's what I thought you were at first glance. You're so thin, and in those clothes, you could almost pass for one."
"That's what people tell me."
Seeing that she wouldn't be able to get much out of me, the cook left me alone to focus on other things.
After some time, the man returned to me with a small pouch. "Here you are," he said, as if I had been the one keeping him waiting. "Take these back."
As I held the pouch, it had a heavy weight to it. I put it away within my cape and said my thanks to the cook and her helper and left.
Whistling to myself, I made my way back toward The Fortune, still surprised at how quickly I had been offered a job. Things worked differently in the Blights, decisions made quickly and on the spot. That was certainly different from the castle, where people took months to reach a decision.
I watched the people I passed, but none proved to be a threat, and few looked at me, likely taking me for a man at first glance.
The bell rang sweetly as I pushed open the door of The Fortune.
"I was expecting you earlier," Oscar said as I dug into my pocket and handed over the pouch.
"The man I delivered the goods to was indisposed and couldn't attend to the letter. I had to wait."
He opened the pouch and upended it on the table. Instead of the coins I expected, round pieces of wood and glass fell out. Some were brightly colored, and the glass was beautiful. I had never seen glass like that before. I frowned, confused as he began to count them. Satisfied when he was done, he handed me the letter and asked me to open it. I broke the seal and pulled out a thin sheet of paper. The handwriting was strong and bold.
"It says there are fifteen glass pieces and eight wooden ones. It also says that package and letter were undisturbed," I informed him. He hadn't trusted me not to open either one.
"You can read Jarese?"
"Yes," I replied, belatedly realizing that knowing it was uncommon.
His shrewd eyes noticed me reaching that conclusion. "You can keep your secrets as long as you keep mine in return."
I smiled. That worked for me.
"Come by day after tomorrow, and I'll start sending you out on deliveries. We'll discuss payment for each specific delivery. For now, I'm satisfied."
"I have another morning job day after tomorrow, so I'm going to be here early."
"That's no problem." He seemed pleased with my answer.
"I'll see you then."
"Until then." Oscar gave me a little smile. His hand stretched out, and he gave me a coin, a small one.
I walked out with a smile on my face. I had earned the first coin of my life, and it felt good.
15
I was back at The Fortune so early that it hadn't opened. I waited outside, leaning against the wall until I heard the key turning in the lock. I pulled the door open.
Oscar gave me a pleased smile when he saw me. He was working on opening the shutters on the window. "Did you sleep out here or are you just eager to start?"
"Eager to start."
"I would have sent you out on deliveries yesterday, but the packages weren't ready yet." He made his way behind the counter and took out two packages.
"It's okay. I spent my day exploring the Blights."
Oscar gave me a serious look. "You'll have to be careful. There are parts that are real trouble."
"I thought all the Blights were trouble."
That got a small smile out of him. "It's a dangerous place to walk around on your own. You carry your weapon openly, but most of the others are carrying them hidden where you can't see them. Try not to wander into unfamiliar alleys."
I didn't tell him that I had already gone ahead and done that. I needed him to trust me with delivering his packages, after all.
"These are to be delivered to two different dwellings. Be sure not to mix them up." He pointed at one of them. "This is to be taken to the tall house at the end of Port Street. You'll know it when you see it because it's the highest house on that street. And this"--he pointed at the other package--"is to be taken to the house located at Park Lane. It's the big house on the corner made with red brick."
"Should I wait for a message or payment?"
"No, the customers have already made their payments. Simply deliver them." He picked up the packages and handed them to me. "Confirm you're at the correct residence with the names written on the packages."
I gave him a nod and left the store.
The streets were quiet outside. Not many people were up and about yet. The people of the Blights kept later hours, but I knew, much like the kingdom, those who truly needed the work would be up and getting things done.
Mindful of Oscar's advice and the knowledge that the prince might have sent people to watch out for me, I was careful to observe the people around me. I kept my hood down and one hand on my sword. I knew at a glance I could pass for a youth.
When I reached the first house, I didn't repeat my mistake of the previous day. I looked for the side door and knocked on it. Before long, it opened, and a woman gave me a long look and wrinkled her nose. Clearly, she was not a fan of my short hair.
"Yes?" she said.
"Package for Master Deacon," I said, stating the name on the package.
"From?"
"The Fortune."
"Very well," she replied, took the offered package, and shut the door in my face.
/> I stood there for a bit, bemused. That had been a new experience. I had always been friendly to the servants in the castle, but I had never wondered if they were friendly with each other.
I walked away from the residence, lighter by one package, and made my way to the other delivery location. This place was situated across from the park, its owner clearly wealthy. The house was a immense, the largest I had seen so far. The facade had round pillars decorated with bright colors.
Having had rooms in the castle for so long, I had forgotten what living in a house, separate from others, was like. I couldn't remember the last time we had visited our estate in the outer territories.
As I looked at the house, I realized why some nobles chose to live outside the castle. The surroundings environment were more peaceful here. They were surrounded by the green of the park instead of gray stone. Birds were chirping outside. I felt a certain peace in being situated away from people and closer to nature.
There, a man opened the door. He started when he saw me, giving my short hair a look, but took the package without comment after my "Package for Master Trell."
Done with my deliveries, I had some time before I was to meet with Penny.
The smell of the sea decided things for me. I would visit the port and then head back to the Blights.
The last time I had been to the port, I had sneaked out of the castle with Tobin. That had been only a few months before. He didn't want to sneak me out of the castle since he was a guard, but I had managed to talk him into it. We went to a tavern and had watered-down ale. We played cards with some Serakastran merchants and sang along with sailors. That night had been one of the best we ever had.
Lost in my thoughts, I raised my head and realized I should be more aware of my surroundings. Just because I wasn't in the Blights was no reason I should lose track of where I was. A steady stream of people was converging, all heading to the same destination with different objectives.