Lips twisting at her words, the guard sneered. “Silvershame, everyone knows who you are. Darragh normally sends the lads on the logs to buy stuff. Why did he send you instead?”
“I asked to come,” Sean said, his voice frosty. “Darragh told me how hospitable the town was and that I should take in the wonders of the bountiful lake. Maybe he meant a different town, hmm?”
The guard came off the wall, his face frozen, “Sean MacDougal, you say? I don’t recall ever seeing you in the last three months. Where did you hail from before Darragh’s village? There’s nothing else close by that I know of.”
“I came from the town of Waterrock. It’s a bit far, but I like to wander,” Sean smirked. “Can we enter now?”
“Of course, but the mayor just instituted a new law. Every first-time entry must pay a copper,” the guard’s sneer changed to a sly smile.
“Of course,” Fiona said, removing her hand from Sean’s to extend a copper. “I’ll need a receipt, though, for Darragh.”
The smile vanished, and the guard’s hand was rapidly withdrawn. “I just recalled, the law doesn’t go into effect until Five day.”
“Right,” Sean chuckled. “Have a good day, officer.” Turning his attention to Fiona, he took her metallic hand again, “Which way to the store? We have that letter to drop, after all.”
“I’ll show you,” Fiona said, ignoring the scowling guard as they entered the town.
After a few dozen feet, Sean snorted, “Corruption and idiots, the same in every world.”
“People are people everywhere,” Fiona added, her own lips perking up.
Looking around like a tourist, Sean was pleased to see that the dirt streets were cleaner than he’d feared. He didn’t see any waste littering the roads, and wondered about it. When he asked, Fiona explained that Fire Mages were employed to help control litter. They oversaw the offal gatherers, then burned the collected waste. Sean nodded, seeing it as just another form of sewer and trash collection.
The store Fiona led him to was in the middle of town. A sign reading “Gern’s” hung from two bronze chains above the door. The first floor was stone and the upper floors built of wood, much like the other large building across the square from it. Sean looked around as they entered the shop, expecting shelves full of goods like almost every video game he’d ever played. Instead, the large main room had a comfortable sitting area, and just one long counter. An older, grumpy-looking man with thinning hair stood behind the counter, leaning on it.
“Silvershame,” the man greeted her evenly. “Never thought Darragh would send you to town. That must mean you have wares to sell. Let’s see them.”
Placing her bag on the counter, Fiona began to unload small wooden knick-knacks. While she did, Sean placed the scroll tube on the counter. “Sir, Myna asked us to deliver this tube to you,” Sean told the man.
“I can do that. She still has money in her account, though she did get a letter yesterday. Can I trust you to deliver it to her safely?” the man asked, eyeing Sean with deliberate care.
“I will gladly do so. I do owe her, after all,” Sean said.
“My name is Gern, and this is my store. Who might you be?” Gern asked, taking Myna’s letter and placing it in a bag.
“Sean MacDougal,” Sean replied. “I’m a friend of Fiona and Myna.”
“I see,” the man said evenly, barely holding back contempt at Sean’s admission of friendship with the women. “Here’s Myna’s letter. I’ll need your Agreement to deliver it only to her hand. I’ll give you a copper to do so.”
“The copper is Myna’s, isn’t it?” Sean asked.
“Of course. Why else would she have an account for mail?” Gern smirked.
“I Agree to your terms,” Sean said, feeling the now familiar weight of an Agreement settle on him.
Pushing the tube and copper to Sean, Gern turned his attention back to Fiona, who stood waiting patiently. “Okay, let’s give them a look,” Gern snorted as he pulled a pair of Pince-nez spectacles from under the counter and placed them on his nose. Gern took his time searching each item for flaws, and eventually, he put his glasses away. “Your work is still good, despite being half of the woman you used to be. I’ll give you ten bronze for the lot.”
Sean’s hands clenched at the way Gern causally insulted Fiona. He knew he would be hearing similar insults all the time if he stayed near Fiona, but he didn’t understand how she could accept it so calmly. When Gern stated the price, something made Sean want to vehemently disagree, but he held his tongue.
“Twenty,” Fiona said simply.
“Where else could you even try to sell your wares around here?” Gern snickered, “Eleven, and not a single copper more.”
Lips compressed, Fiona nodded stiffly. “Agreed.”
“Pleasure doing business with you,” Gern laughed as he counted out eleven small bronze coins. “What else can I be doing for you today?”
“We need some essentials,” Fiona managed with some civility. “A set of bronze utensils, a warm jacket, good boots, travel clothing to fit my friend, a wool blanket, a striker, a canteen, and a bag to carry it all in.”
Gern looked from Fiona to Sean and began to laugh, “You sold me all of that just to give this guy some basic essentials? What did he do to earn that, eh? Finally make you a woman?”
Sean’s knuckles popped audibly as he stared at Gern. “Did you just imply that she’s buying me things because I slept with her?”
“Not implying,” Gern smirked, “flat saying. What backwater did you crawl out of, that you don’t know Silvershame’s dirty past? I’m surprised you’re still breathing, considering the fate of the last guy.”
Fiona touched Sean’s arm, “Don’t. This is my life, and I don’t need someone trying to shield me from my Shame.”
“That’s the way a Shamed should act. Pay attention, boy,” Gern snickered. “Now, what you’re asking for will cost you six bronze coins,” his words aimed at Fiona.
“That’s more than double what I should pay,” Fiona replied.
“Your friend drove the price up by irritating me,” Gern said. “Either pay, or go find someone who’ll sell you used goods, instead of my new wares.”
“I wish to see the items first,” Fiona said.
“Of course.” Gern rang a bell, bringing a small creature flying out of the back at speed.
The blur of silver settled on the counter next to Gern, “Yes, master?”
“Have Olaf put together a winter travel set, along with some bronze utensils,” Gern said, not even looking at the androgynous being standing next to his hand.
“Right away,” the creature said, before zipping off in a blur that took it around Sean for a moment.
“Pixie?” Sean asked.
Gern snorted, “Never seen a Messenger Fairy?” Sean snapped his mouth shut, which only made Gern laugh. “I was right, some backbirth shithole must be where you hail from.”
Sean stayed quiet, not rising to the bait this time. The last time he’d risen to provocation he’d been killed for it, after all. The silence stretched out until the curtain that separated the front of the shop from the rest was moved aside.
A being with grey fur and a wolf’s head came out the back carrying a bag. Black ring markings stood out in the fur at its wrists and around its neck. “The items, master,” it said, though the words were difficult to understand from the canine’s mouth.
“Spread out the items for inspection, Olaf,” Gern said dismissively.
Nodding its head, Olaf opened the leather bag and pulled items out of it, laying each of them on the counter. Once they were laid out, it stepped back and waited.
“Well?” Gern said.
“Make sure the clothing fits,” Fiona told Sean.
Sean started with the fur lined jacket, which proved to be just a little big, but not enough to hinder him. Next, he pulled off his own footwear and tried on the calf high boots. The soles were tough, thick leather, while the upper part was made from much softer leathe
r. The fur lining encased his feet in warmth. Taking a few steps, he was amazed at how well the boots fit. He put his other boots back on, returning the new ones to the counter.
“The clothes are fine,” Sean said, beginning to check the rest of the gear laid out in front of him. Everything was of good make and serviceable, if not exceptional, quality. “Everything is fine,” Sean finally told Fiona.
Placing six of the bronze coins on the counter, Fiona nodded to Gern. “Thank you for your time, Gern.”
“Thank you for the profit, Silvershame,” Gern grinned, his blackened teeth horrible to see.
“We have other places to visit, Sean,” Fiona said, motioning to the gear on the counter.
Sean began to pack everything back into the bag, which he promptly slung over his shoulder after it was packed. “Good day, Gern,” Sean managed as he turned to leave with Fiona.
Stepping out into the town square once more, Sean mulled over Fiona’s earlier words to him. Maybe I should try to adapt to the world. It’s not like it’ll change because of me. Shaking the thought from his mind, he looked to Fiona. “Fiona, about what happened inside—”
“Don’t,” Fiona cut him off. “It’s as much my fault as yours. Back at Oakwood, I let your words influence me more than I should have. You’re one of the very few who treats me as if my Shame is nothing. That’s not the way the world works, and I should have made sure you understood that long before now.” She started walking away from the store. “I’m sorry for snapping at you, but this is the way the world is, and you need to accept that.”
Trailing after her, he grimaced. He knew she had a point, but didn’t like it at all. “I’ll try, but it’s going to take a lot of adjusting,” Sean said as he fell into step beside her.
“For both of us,” Fiona muttered. “You didn’t mind me telling you to back off?”
“No. Like you said, it’s your life. I haven’t even known you for a tenday, and it’s wrong for me to impose my values on you, or the world. If you’ll continue to teach me, I’ll do my best to learn.”
A smile appeared, before quickly vanishing from her lips. “I’ll do what I can, while we’re together,” Fiona said. Her hand bumped his and he took it, bringing another smile to her lips. “Besides, maybe Gern was closer to the truth than he knew.”
Sean stumbled a step, bringing a giggle from Fiona. “What?” he choked out.
“The lake is just ahead. You should see the Naiads at work and play,” Fiona said, ignoring his question.
Chapter Twenty-three
The docks for the lake were bigger than Sean had expected. Boats of various sizes could be seen, tied up or plying the waters. The biggest of the ships was just getting underway, with a deep drum slowly pounding out a rhythm that helped the oars move in unison.
“Slave galley?” Sean asked.
“Just a galley,” Fiona said. “The rowers might be paid, or they might be Bonded.”
“Why would a ship that size be here?”
“The lake connects to one of the major river ways leading to Southpoint,” Fiona said, pointing at the keel of a ship slowly coming to dock. “A Naiad,” she said softly.
Sean squinted where she was pointing, and could just make out a darker fluid shape in the water that seemed to hug the keel. “What’s it doing?”
“She’s leading them into their berth,” Fiona told him.
“Why do you say she?” Sean asked as he walked with Fiona down to the docks.
“All Naiads are female, as all Satyrs are male. It is just the way the world is,” Fiona said simply.
Sean looked back, seeing a number of people rush up where the ship was just touching the dock. “Tying her up?”
“Yes, some of them. Others are offering their services for unloading,” Fiona explained. “Dock hands are a simple lot; they get a copper per boat they help unload. Perhaps two, if the captain is generous.”
“Small pay for hard work,” Sean muttered.
“Being without a Talent or any magic means you either learn a craft, or you get relegated to menial labor.”
“The way of the world, no matter what world it is,” Sean chuckled darkly.
“I’ve been meaning to ask,” Fiona began, before dropping the volume of her voice, “how do you speak the language so fluently? Many Outsiders spend years learning to converse properly.”
“A gift from those that brought me here,” he said just as softly. “I seem to know Naga as well.”
Lips pursing, Fiona nodded. “I see. They seem to have invested quite a bit in your welfare. Why did they do that?”
“They said something about setting some mistake right,” Sean shrugged. “They also hoped I would find a way to eventually allow them to show up here.”
Fiona slowed for a step, before walking normally again. “They want you to be the Harbinger.”
“Huh?”
“An old myth. It’s said that the Harbinger will force the Queens to make the world fairer for those who aren’t of the courts.”
“Every world has a similar story,” Sean said, trying to dismiss her words, feeling a shiver run down his spine.
“Of course,” Fiona nodded. “Look at the last dock,” she said in her normal tone.
Looking where she indicated, Sean blinked and his jaw fell open slightly. One of the most gorgeous women he had ever seen was lounging on the end of the dock. A simple, transparent white gown was barely covering her body, doing far more to accent than conceal. “W-wow,” Sean stammered.
“Naiad,” Fiona said as her thumb dug into his hand, snapping his gaze from the woman. “They use their looks and words to convince men to kiss them. If someone does, a bit of their energy goes to the Naiad. If she continues to kiss them, they eventually end up suffocating. You can’t breathe when kissing one.”
“I take it the kiss has some kind of aphrodisiac effect that makes the victim want to keep kissing?”
“Of course,” Fiona said. “The Agreement in place that allows us to use the stream is that a kiss lasts for five seconds, and no longer—unless the villager asks for it.”
“Cian said something about the kisses being addictive.”
“That’s what people say. I don’t know, never having kissed one myself,” Fiona said.
“They don’t like women?” Sean asked, the image of Fiona and the Naiad making out popping into his mind.
“They aren’t picky at all, I just haven’t,” Fiona said, digging her thumb in again as she saw his blank expression. “Is there anything else in town you’d like to see?”
“I don’t have any coin, so it’s a moot point,” Sean chuckled. “I trust you to show me the things I should see.”
“Maybe a quick tour,” Fiona said, leading him away from the Naiad, who had turned her head to focus on Sean.
“Come back later and see me,” the woman’s voice echoed eerily as she arched her back, pressing her impressive breasts against her garment.
Shaking his head, Sean frowned. Her voice, while seductive, also held a nails-on-a-chalkboard quality. “Maybe later,” Sean said, letting Fiona led him away.
Fiona looked at him worriedly until he spoke, then her eyes narrowed as she stared at him. She didn’t say anything until they were away from the docks. “You didn’t seem interested in her offer.”
“Her voice was unpleasant,” Sean said. “I thought they were supposed to be persuasive?”
“They are,” Fiona said. “I wanted to listen to her offer, even though she wasn’t focused on me. I think she’s one of the older Naiads that inhabits the lake.”
Considering Fiona’s words, and thinking of the undertone to the Naiad’s, Sean became lost in thought. Fiona stopped, pulling him from his thoughts. “Huh?”
“We’re here,” Fiona said as she led him around the side of a nearby building.
Passing through the double doors, Sean saw a very broad, but decidedly short person loading an ingot of bronze into a forge. Sean let his gaze dart all over the smithy, taking in th
e crafting space. Different ingots were stacked along one wall, another wall held different chests with small signs on them. Near the massive double doors that served as the smithy entrance were three different colored fifty-gallon barrels.
Turning to get something else, the man saw them and stopped, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Fiona. “What does Silvershame want with me?” His voice was much higher-pitched than Sean expected, but still masculine.
“I’m showing a friend the town,” Fiona said simply. “As you are the only smith here, and my friend is interested in metalwork, it seemed prudent to bring him here.”
Morrigan's Bidding Page 18