“What is it?” asked Maybell.
Malstisos' lips pressed tight and his brow furled. “Ifear my kinsmen are not what they seem.”
Maybell's back stiffened. “How do you mean?”
Malstisos knelt near the entrance to the tent and peeredout. “First of all, they are seekers.”
Maybell looked confused. “Why is that odd?”
“Because seekers do not hide who they are,”he explained. “And they have attempted to mask what they arefrom me.”
“Is that all?” asked Maybell. “Therecould be any number of reasons for that.”
“Perhaps,” he agreed. “And if it wereonly that, I wouldn't be as concerned. Seekers can be an odd bunch,and the ways of my kin in the steppes are different. But these twohave been probing me for information, the kind that can only be forone purpose. And they have underestimated me. I am not a seeker, butI am a worthy diplomat. Much more so than either of them. I know whenI am being manipulated.”
Maybell tensed. She knew how vulnerable they were. “Whatdo they want to know?” she whispered, suddenly afraid that theywere being spied on.
“The identity of allies that are hiding theirsympathies, the location of Valshara and its strength… things ofthat nature.” He fingered the knife on his belt. “Thething is, if they had asked me directly, I wouldn't have becomesuspicious, but they hid their questions behind other, seeminglyinnocent questions. Their poor attempt and subterfuge has made itclear to me that they are not what they seem.”
“Should we run?”
Malstisos shook his head. “No. We are better offremaining with the caravan, for now. I do not think the humans areaware of their deception, and I doubt they will want to drawattention to themselves so far from home. If we run, we arevulnerable. They are seekers. They will hunt us down and kill usboth.”
Maybell's eyes brightened. “I know what to do.”She stood and began to pace the tent. “We will be nearFarmington in two days. I have friends there that will give usshelter. We should say that we need to pick up extra supplies, thentake refuge.”
“Good plan,” said Malstisos, nodding inagreement. “It is unlikely they will openly attack a humanvillage. Until then, behave normally. I will quietly gather what wecan carry without being noticed.”
“Good,” said Maybell, satisfied. “Thenif you'll excuse me. An old woman needs to sleep. Especially if we'regoing to run for our lives in two days.”
Malstisos bowed and left the tent. He took a deep breathand went back to the fire, where the humans were laughing singingsongs. He knew he should join Grentos and Vadnaltis so not to raisetheir suspicions, but he needed time before he could face them. Thethought of being deceived by his kin caused his blood to boil, and ifthey were to escape he needed them to believe he knew nothing. Hejust hoped the place Maybell had in mind would be enough to stop twoseekers.
After a couple of hours of socializing and singing withthe merchants, Malstisos steeled his nerves and joined Grentos andVadnaltis in their tent. The talk was light and cheerful, and foronce they didn't try to gather information. Around midnight they allwent to sleep, though Malstisos found it nearly unbearable to stay inthe same tent. He slept light and woke several times. He decided hewould find a reason to stay with Maybell the next night.
Chapter Fifteen
Salmitaya cursed as she slapped a horsefly stinging theback of her neck. Her plain wool dress was stained with mud andgrime, and her brow was beaded with sweat. She was not accustomed tohumid climates or the way she was now forced to live.
For two weeks they had been in Baltria, and for twoweeks she had worked as a slave. The home they stayed in was amodest, single story dwelling, though well decorated and comfortable.Located on the northern outskirts of the city and populated mostly bymerchants and store owners. It had a descent yard and a small flowergarden in the back-well tended by her backbreaking efforts.
The house had had two servants when they arrived, butYanti promptly dismissed them.
“You are all I need, my love,” Yanti hadsaid, in his melodic tone. “I wouldn't want you to feeluseless.”
He then made a list of her daily duties, though theychanged from moment to moment, on his whim. The first day had nearlykilled her. She was forced to rearrange all the furniture, tend thegarden, prepare the meals, and then go to the market and pick up aweeks’ worth of food and supplies. After she completed eachtask, Yanti would inspect her work.
“You must do better, my love,” he had said.“Otherwise you will never leave my service.”
Angraal had forced her to give up her positionand wealth, and had indentured her to Yanti until he felt she hadearned the right to regain her status. She had gone from a powerfulHigh Priestess to a lowly servant overnight. At first, she had hopedit wouldn't be so bad, but it didn't take long for her to realizethat despite Yanti's smooth, cultured demeanor, he was a vicious andcruel monster.
She had attempted escape the first week, only to becaught less than an hour into her flight. She cringed at the thoughtof the beating he had given her. He promised her that should she tryagain, he would most certainly kill her… slowly.
Today, her duties consisted mostly of scrubbing thehouse clean from a black mold that seemed to cover everything inBaltria. Yanti had commanded that she be finished by midday. He saidhe had other errands for her to run. She looked up. The sun was highin the sky, and she was still only halfway done. Her back ached andher hands were blistered from constant scrubbing.
“Taya, my love,” called Yanti from behindher.
She jumped. Yanti moved silently and was constantlysneaking up on her. “Yes?” She tried to hide her hatredby averting her eyes.
“I need you to check the inns again. See if yourfriends have arrived.” He turned and strode away. Just as hereached the corner of the house, he paused. “Later thisevening, we'll discuss the fact that you weren't able to finish yourwork on time. Perhaps we can find new ways to motivate you.”
Salmitaya shuddered as she watched him disappear aroundthe corner. She dusted herself off, put away the bucket and brush,and headed to the tavern district. The streets of Baltria were filthyby Kaltinor standards. Though well-paved and maintained, you couldhear the mud and grime crunch beneath your feet. The city wassituated in the very center of the largest delta in the world. Thesoil was rich and black, and the humid climate made the ground wetmost of the time. It was nearly impossible not to track mud whereveryou walked. Frequent rain washed away the buildup before it could getout of hand, but it left a strong musty odor, to which Salmitayaswore she could never grow accustomed.
The houses where mostly single story, brick and mortarstructures, even those owned by the nobles. However, closer to thedocks you began to notice houses and shops built on tall pylons toavoid the occasional extreme high tides.
One of the largest cities in the world, Baltria wasknown mostly for its massive ports and market places that were as bigas some towns. Goods from everywhere were shipped from the GoodbranchRiver. From there they spread to all points near and far.
Salmitaya despised the tavern district. Yanti had hergoing every two or three days to check local gossip and pay hisinformants. At first, she feared she might be spotted. Word of herbetrayal had certainly traveled this far by now, and if she werecaught she would be spending the rest of her life in a dark templeprison cell. However, it soon became clear that, in her present stateof filth and dishevelment, no one recognized her. Twice she had seensisters and brothers that she had known, but they walked right passedwithout so much as a second glance. After that she removed themirrors from her room.
This time of year in Kaltinor, snow would be falling,but here it was unbearably hot. Her heavy clothing made the heat seemlike a torture, and the humidity made the filth cling like leeches.
“Taya,” called the raspy, uncouth voice ofSaul Milspend.
Salmitaya clinched her jaw and stepped up her pace. Saulwas a fish merchant and one of Yanti's local informants. His baldhead, short round frame, and smile that was mi
ssing several teeth,caused her to recoil every time she saw the man. Worse, he wasconstantly trying to touch her on the hand or shoulder, in a clumsyattempt at flirting.
“Taya!” he called louder.
Salmitaya dropped her head and stopped. She could hearSaul's lumbering footsteps running up behind her.
Saul caught her by the shoulder. “I am glad Icaught you.”
Salmitaya recoiled. “What is it Saul?” Thestench of rotten fish caught in her nostrils. “The innkeeper atthe Malt and Mane said you should come by. He said make sure you comethrough the back.” He held out his hand and gave her atoothless smile.
Salmitaya reached into the small pouch that hung fromher belt and gave him a copper. Saul tried to thank her, but shequickly walked away in the direction of the inn.
The streets were crowded with the many local and foreignmerchants and city dwellers. Fashions from the farthest reach of theworld could be seen everywhere. Salmitaya was particularly fond ofthe silk wraps and colorful dresses of the eastern desert. Thoughevery time she saw one, it reminded her of her own poor appearance.It took her the better part of an hour to wind her way through thecity to the tavern district.
The Malt and Mane was typical of the many inns inBaltria. Not particularly nice, but not a flophouse either. Still, asa lady of culture and dignity, it was not a place she wanted to be.That she was instructed to enter from the rear was as much of aninsult as she could bear, but she dare not ignore it. Yanti hadintrigues everywhere and was constantly gathering information.Salmitaya reckoned he had dirt on every influential person in thecity and he made sure they knew it.
As she rounded the corner where the inn was located, shefroze. Not twenty feet away stood Celandine, talking to a fruitmerchant. Immediately she spun around and hurried back around thecorner and put her back flat against the building.
Salmistaya peered around slowly, careful not to be seen.Celandine wore a tan linen dress, rather than her novice robes, andher hair flowed loosely about her shoulders, but there was nomistake… it was Celandine. Salmitaya watched until she entered theMalt and Mane, then sped off back to the house, unsure what she wasgoing tell Yanti.
By the time she reached the house she was drenched insweat and her legs burned. She paused, composed herself, and entered.It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim light. A smalllamp in the living room to her right was the only source. Yanti satcross legged in a plush chair, dressed in a white, cotton shirt andtrousers, reading a small, leather-bound book. How he could see toread, Salmitaya couldn't imagine.
Yanti looked up and smiled, closing the book. “Well,my love.” His voice was honey. “I see you're backquickly. A bit too quickly.”
Salmitaya tried to meet his eyes but couldn't. “Isaw Celandine in front of the Malt and Mane.”
“Celandine?” he remarked, raising andeyebrow.
“She was a novice…”
Yanti raised his hand, silencing her. “I know whoshe is.” He rose from his chair. “Interesting choice.”
“I don't understand,” said Salmitaya. “You…”
Yanti shot her a glance and drew close. “My love,there is much I know that you don't. The sooner you accept that, theeasier your life will be.” He reached out and held her chin,lifting her head to meet his gaze. “You should stay out ofsight for the time being. I wouldn't want you to come to harm. Atleast not yet.”
She began to tremble. Whatever his plans were, she knewshe was disposable to him. She needed to prove her value in order tostay alive. “Let me help you,” she begged. “I canwatch her without being seen.”
“I am pleased with your enthusiasm,” hereplied, sounding almost sincere. “And I'm certain you could doa wonderful job. But I have enough eyes. No. I will restrict yourmovements to inside the house for the time being.” He releasedher. “You should be happy. It will be a respite from yournormal duties.”
“Thank you,” she said in her most submissivevoice. Yanti laughed softly. “Get cleaned and get rested.”Salmitaya bowed her head and turned to leave.
“I don't want you to worry,” Yanti calledafter her. “I will have much for you to do, soon enough.”
A chill ran down her spine, and tears welled in hereyes. Whatever he had in mind, she knew it wouldn't be good.
Chapter Sixteen
Dina entered the Malt and Mane, carrying a basket offresh strawberries. She let the scent fill her nostrils. As a child,her father would take her into the forest to go strawberry picking.Most often they would eat half of them before they got home. Dinahadn't thought of that in many years, and a small smile crept acrossher face.
“You look far away.” Lee sat at the tablenext to the kitchen door.
The inn was typical for the area. Two large common roomswere on either side of the entrance. The one on the left had a dozentables, each large enough to accommodate six people, while the otherhad a bar on the far side with tables lining the walls and a raisedplatform in the middle for entertainment. Just next to the bar weretwo doors, one leading to the kitchen and the other to the guestrooms. Brass lamps hung from the ceiling, and two small fireplaceswere in opposite corners.
Dina joined Lee at the table and handed him astrawberry, which he took gratefully. “I was just thinkingabout when I was a child,” said Dina, still with a faraway lookon her face.
“Is your father still alive?” asked Lee.
“No,” she replied. “As you know I'molder than I look, and I was very young when I found the Order.”
“I'm sorry.”
“It's fine,” she said, shaking off hermelancholy. “It just I haven't been home in a very long time.And I'm still tired.”
Lee and Dina had only just arrived the previous night.Their trip was uneventful, but their pace had pushed her limits. Leefigured that Millet would make his way to the Goodbranch River andsail down. That would certainly cut down their travel time, and Leewanted to arrive ahead of them.
“Perhaps you should rest,” Lee suggested.
“I think I will.” Dina picked out a largestrawberry. “But not before I enjoy a few of these.” Shepopped it in her mouth and sighed with pleasure as she bit down.
“Good,” said Lee. “In the meantimeI'll check with my contacts here. I should like to get the… feel ofthings.”
Dina nodded in agreement. “I can check the templesthis evening,” she said, still chewing.
“I don't want you going off by yourself. I amcertain there are agents of the north about. Probably informantsamong the locals as well.”
“How would they know who we are or what we'redoing?” she asked, swallowing the remains of the berry.
Lee lowered his tone to a whisper. “They knewabout us from the time we left Sharpstone, and we were followed, atleast for a time, out of Valshara. Clearly they have a more efficientsystem for gathering intelligence than we do.” He scowled. “Iintend to change that.”
“How do you plan to do that?” She picked upanother strawberry.
“I am very wealthy, my dear,” he stated.“And so are many of the people we have met, such as Lord Broinand Lord Ganflin. Information is nothing more than a commodity. Ifyou have the coin, it's yours.”
“But won't the informants have already beenbought?”
“Almost certainly,” he affirmed, smiling.“But the one dependable thing about scum is that they willalways serve as many masters as can pay. But I won't be contactingthe street dregs directly. I have friends among the nobility. I'llmake the inquiries through them.”
Dina furled her brow. “And what happens if yourfriends have been bought as well… or worse, joined our enemies?”
He shrugged. “Then that will tell me what I needto know. But I doubt they'd betray me openly. Most know me from mydays studying under local sword masters. I had a reputation as a veryskilled swordsman.” He chuckled and shook his head. “Thenobles aren't what you would call courageous, at least not in the waya soldier is courageous. They wouldn't risk my wrath unless they werecertain they could get away with it.”
/> Dina recalled watching Lee battle the elf seeker,Berathis. “I don't imagine any of them would want to upsetyou.”
Lee grinned fiendishly. “Not unless they want meto pay them more than a social call. But, I know one lord I cantrust. I saved his life.”
“Really, how?”
“He made the mistake of drinking and gambling atthe wrong tavern,” Lee replied. “And he tends to flashhis money when he's had too much wine. Not something you want to doin Baltria after dark. I stopped three thieves from killing him forhis foolishness.”
“Well, I hope that would buy you a bit ofloyalty,” said Dina. She yawned and blinked her eyes. “Andon that note, I need to rest for a bit. Wake me before sunset.”
Lee nodded. “Just don't leave until I return.”
“And you remember that you are not invulnerable,”she said, as she got up from her seat, making sure not to forget herstrawberries.
Lee laughed, sprung up and snatched a berry for himself.“I'll be fine.” He made his way to the door and venturedout into the city streets.
The sun was still high in the sky, and the heat remindedLee how far removed from Sharpstone he was. He had sent a messengerto his friend early that morning asking him to meet him near thedocks. He couldn't risk being noticed. Dina was right to think thatthe nobility could have been bought off. Their entire world revolvedaround the acquisition of wealth. In some ways they were no betterthan bandits. Then there was the real possibility that they had sidedwith Angraal, which would be worse. Bought loyalty could bechanged but a true believer…
It wasn't long before the houses transitioned fromtypical Baltria dwellings into the structures that had been built ontall pylons. Lee had been in the city during a particularly bad floodyear, when the water had risen enough to cover the high porches. Itwas a wonder the entire city wasn't drowned, but Lee discovered thatBaltria was equipped with a system of drains and manual pumps thatcould be used to keep the majority of the city dry.
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