by Joe Sniezek
“I just can’t figure out why anybody would bother with me. I’ve been giving it deep thought the whole time,” Wilfer said, just out loud to the room, but mostly toward Eniyan.
The old man looked at him for a long time and finally said, “Maybe they’re not.”
“What do you mean? Of course, they are.”
“For all we know, they could be rounding up everybody in your land. You could just be one of many. Nothing special about you at all,” Eniyan said. Wilfer’s jaw dropped as the shock of that statement sank in.
Wilfer thought about it and could guess what the old man would say next. Be patient. Wait and see how events unfold. But that seemed stupid. Somebody knows he’s here. Either they are better at tracking than he is at fleeing, or they have some other way of finding him. This cannot stand. There will be more close calls until he is eventually captured or killed. Something needed to be done so Wilfer formed a plan; he needed to do some solo reconnaissance. The one thing that had stayed constant was his companions. What would happen if he distanced himself from them for a while? At the very least, it could give him a fresh perspective.
∞∞∞
Several hours after sunset, Wilfer took his walking staff and quietly slipped out of the room. He thought of taking his sword with him but decided that he wanted to avoid trouble.
He crept down the staircase, through the mostly empty main hall and out the front door. No one was awake except the proprietor, back in the kitchen. Late night comings and goings were not unheard of, and he paid little attention to Wilfer.
He breathed deeply in the cold night air and allowed the tension to drain from his shoulders. Realizing that skulking around a city during the night would look suspicious so Wilfer headed out of town. Not wanting to follow the road and bump into the wrong person, he followed the riverbank back up the mountain valley. He only walked a few hundred paces then sat next to a large rock on the bank to gather his thoughts. He gazed out across the river and realized that Eniyan was right; they were mired deep in mystery. But he also decided that Eniyan was wrong in that it should remain a mystery. Yes, mysteries do sometimes solve themselves, but usually with someone’s death. Besides, he just didn’t have the temperament to sit and wait for trouble to find him. It was obvious to him, and really always was. He had to go back to his homeland and face thing head on. Of course, it would be foolish to wander in blindly, but sneaking in for a little exploration and investigation might work.
Clarifying his plans lifted Wilfer’s spirits and gave him new resolve. Energized, he got up to return to the inn, but at that moment, Ike – who apparently was keeping a close watch on them – swam up to Wilfer and made a pointing motion off towards the distance. Wilfer peered into the darkness and allowed his eyes to adjust. At first, he saw nothing, then after a moment, he saw movement. There was a man, not a giant, but a normal sized man in a hooded cloak creeping towards town. A chill ran down Wilfer’s spine when he realized how fortunate it was for him to decide to avoid the road and rest hidden behind this large rock.
Thirteen
Be patient, Wilfer told himself. He was safely hidden here. He will learn more by remaining still so he watched as the man slipped into town and headed for the Inn. Wilfer had not seen a non-giant besides themselves since he entered this realm, therefore he knew that this must be someone following him. And sneaking around at night like that? Surely this was not just a merchant arriving late to town. Wilfer momentarily feared for his friends’ safety but it was only a solitary man, while his three friends were armed.
“Ike,” Wilfer said in hushed tones, “What do you see?” With such large eyes, the squid had excellent vision. An image of a man appeared in Wilfer’s mind. He didn’t recognize the man’s face but the man looked much like the soldiers who had been following him. A dark green cloak obscured any insignia on the man’s clothing, but they were of a similar fashion as the soldiers and Wilfer’s homeland.
“What do you think he wants?” Wilfer asked, even though he knew the squid wouldn’t have any particular insight; Ike was usually more interested in swimming than their conversations. The squid was never more than half paying attention to his surroundings. This world was just too alien for him to immerse completely. Nonetheless, talking to Ike helped pass the time and calm Wilfer’s nerves. The squid didn’t seem to mind so Wilfer did so whenever the mood hit. To Wilfer’s surprise, Ike did respond this time with an image of himself and his friends with their hands bound and tied to a rope being led somewhere under guard.
“I guess it’s just that obvious, huh?” Wilfer said with an eye roll.
Ike wiggled his tentacle pointing over Wilfer’s shoulder again. Wilfer turned his head and saw the secretive man slinking back away from the town into the trees. Whatever the man was there to accomplish, he had done so. There hadn’t been a commotion. On the surface, everything seemed to be alright. Wilfer silently counted to one hundred to make sure he had waited long enough and then touched his hand to the squid’s tentacle and cautiously walked back to town.
As he approached the inn, he saw movement in the shadows. Creeping closer, Wilfer was stunned to find it was Zumi. This was very suspicious, indeed. With everything that had happened, could this be a mere coincidence? Or was she out to rendezvous with the cloaked man?
Wilfer leaned towards her and hissed sharply, “Zumi, what are you doing?”
Zumi jumped at the sound of his voice. She turned to look at him, and visibly relaxed in recognition. “Looking for you,” she said, “I woke up and saw you were gone. I was afraid something terrible happened to you.”
“Just needed some air. Couldn’t sleep. Did you see anybody else?” Wilfer said. He played along, but he was sure, even in the dark, that Zumi’s mannerisms betrayed her guilt.
“Nobody. All quiet, that’s why I didn’t wake everybody to help search,” Zumi said.
“I just took a short walk by the river. Saw Ike. I don’t know if he sleeps.” Wilfer decided against outright accusations, but he still wanted to squeeze some answers from her. He needed to press his advantage and see if he could trip her up. And if she is innocent and genuine, this will help verify that.
Zumi chuckled in response. “What is Ike up to?”
“Oh you know, just squid things,” Wilfer smiled, “But I did see someone sneaking around town.” His smile faded.
Zumi’s eyes widened. “Really? Who?”
“No idea. I let him pass by in peace, but he looked like the soldiers who were following us.”
“Oh,” Zumi said, chewing on her bottom lip in concern. She looked as if she were going to say more, but after a moment said, “Let’s get inside and talk about it in the morning with the group.”
“Yeah. Not smart to wander around in the dark,” Wilfer agreed.
Wilfer quietly climbed the stairs with Zumi. They entered their room to find Eniyan and Ikvig already awake; it was only a couple hours before dawn. “Did we wake you?” Wilfer asked.
“No, the bed was so nice, one hour here is like two on the ground,” Ikvig said with a smile.
“Where did you go?” Eniyan asked with simple curiosity.
“I just went to get some air. Zumi came looking for me,” Wilfer explained.
“Yeah, I saw Wilfer was gone and I wanted to try to find him before bothering everybody,” Zumi said quickly. Wilfer thought he saw suspicion in Eniyan eyes.
Eniyan looked at Wilfer and asked, “Anything interesting out there?”
“Unfortunately. I saw someone sneaking in and out of the town,” Wilfer said.
“So they’ve found us again,” Ikvig jumped up in excitement.
“It was dark but it looked like another one of the soldiers chasing us. I just watched from my hidden spot. I didn’t follow him. He came into town from the forest and a few moments later, he walked back out again. Nothing more,” Wilfer said.
“Hmm, what was he doing? He didn’t come up here,” Eniyan said.
“Meeting someone, or paying off the p
roprietor of this Inn,” Wilfer said. The others frowned at that unsettling idea.
“I don’t think my kinsmen will betray us, but they might not realize the need for privacy either. They can be a gossipy bunch. They wouldn’t keep a secret without being told to,” Ikvig explained.
“Either way, they know exactly where we are,” Eniyan said.
“The question is: what do we do now?” Wilfer said.
Back in his homeland and well rested, Ikvig was feeling his vigor. He was as frustrated as Wilfer was with their dogged pursuit. He stood, raised a fist, and said, “We attack.”
“I’m with you, Ikvig. That’s why I wanted better weapons and armor. I don’t think it will be an even-matched fight,” Wilfer said.
“We will raise a mighty army and smash their bones to dust,” Ikvig declared with his nostrils flaring. He might have gotten carried away with his enthusiasm.
Eniyan looked amused. “More traps and ambushes?” he asked Wilfer.
Wilfer gave a slight shake of his head “No, each time is a risk, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing them down very long.”
“San La is safe. We will slip by them and head there. Then all these problems will go away,” Zumi said.
“I don’t think San La would be a good place for us,” Wilfer said, gesturing to the entire group.
“Ikvig, Ike, and Eniyan can just see us safely to the gateway, and once they know we’re safe, they can go wherever they want. They are only interested in you, right?” Zumi persisted.
Wilfer was silent for a while. He gave the appearance of contemplation but deep down, he was more sure than ever that Zumi would become his jailor. He needed to start arranging things to his advantage; he has been too passive and too reactive. Now was the time to become proactive – no matter what Eniyan says.
“I think it’s finally time to get some answers,” Wilfer said as he pounded his fist into his palm.
“What are you thinking?” Eniyan asked, narrowing his eyes.
“We will trap this spy, unharmed. We have to ask him some pointed questions,” Wilfer said.
“How are we going to do that? Not an easy thing to do.”
“I’ve got a few ideas, but for this to work, you’ll all just have to trust me and do as I say,” Wilfer said with a determined smile. The others looked doubtful, but one by one they slowly nodded their agreement.
“This guy won’t want to talk. Even if he does, he may not know much. I have a plan to get at least some answers without asking questions,” Wilfer said.
“Like what?” Eniyan asked, intrigued.
“I have a few different tests to run at the same time so we’re going to have to split up,” Wilfer said.
Eniyan offered no reaction to that, but Zumi looked concerned. She clearly did not think this was a good plan, but Wilfer was not sure about the reason for that, just yet. He was testing more people that the spy with this plan.
“Eniyan, I want you to travel back on the road. It should be as if you’re simply heading home because your part of our journey is done,” Wilfer said.
“Makes sense. And that’s the story I tell them?” Eniyan asked.
“yes…or you’re leaving because the money ran out. You don’t know exactly where we are, last you saw, we were in town. That’s sort of what you did last time, though it didn’t work out perfectly,” Wilfer said.
“Ikvig, you will go in a different direction,” Wilfer said to the giant.
“Maybe I’ll keep Ike company,” the large man agreed.
“And since I’m the one they’re looking for; I’ll stay right here. Zumi can stay too and protect me with her crossbow,” Wilfer said.
“Okay,” Zumi agreed enthusiastically. She like that idea.
∞∞∞
They used the rest of the day to eat, relax, and get ready for the following evening to spring the trap.
“There’s no guarantee he’ll be alone this time, you know,” Eniyan said.
“I considered that but somehow I don’t think so. He seemed like he wanted to avoid trouble. Honestly, I get the feeling that he’s been following us for a long time, and this is the second time Ike spotted him,” Wilfer said to the old man in private.
“How long should I stay away?” Eniyan asked.
“If this doesn’t go down tonight, we’ll start something new tomorrow. So come back in the morning, but travel through the night to give the appearance that you don’t plan on returning. Maybe they can think you’re sneaking out,” Wilfer instructed Eniyan, who winked and nodded.
Wilfer pulled Ikvig aside and also talked with him out of earshot. “I’m going to ask you to do something extra. Give your pendant to Ike – just for tonight, and have him swim upstream or downstream a little. We’ll see if they can track it. If not, we’re all clear.”
“Makes sense,” Ikvig said, showing some reluctance. He was getting attached to the pendant.
“Great. While Ike does that, I want you to wait just outside of town where nobody can see you. When our spy passes by, I’ll need you to grab him and tie him up,” Wilfer said.
“How many?” Ikvig asked.
“How many men? I think it will be just one but if there are more, you can let pass. We will try another plan tomorrow if this doesn’t work.”
“Should I get him before or after he does whatever he came to do? I think it’s better as he is leaving. He will be less alert,” Ikvig asked.
“Either one. We’ll get answers from him no matter what, but better to see what he was doing for ourselves,” Wilfer said.
∞∞∞
At sunset, the group put the plan in motion. Eniyan gathered his things, walked out the door, and headed up the road. Ikvig had been gone most of the day.
Zumi and Wilfer were alone in the room. She turned to Wilfer and said with a smile, “What should we do to pass the time?” and she flipped her hair over her shoulder.
Wilfer smiled at her, gave her a kiss on the forehead and said, “Follow me.” Wilfer led her down the stairs, through the main hall, and into the kitchen. The innkeeper was there and asked brusquely, “Can I help you?”
Wilfer replied, “My friend snores fiercely. It’s so loud that it could wake the dead.”
“Sit in the hall. Enjoy the fire,” the innkeeper said.
“It’s too drafty for my girl. Big rooms frighten her, after dark. Can we just sit here for a bit? We’ll keep out of your way,” Wilfer asked.
“No,” was all the proprietor of the Inn said, so Wilfer sighed and handed him a gold piece. “Would this help?” he asked as he placed it in the large man’s hand.
“Just keep out of the way,” he said and returned to his chores. Wilfer was sure the man realized that he was hiding from someone. He doubted the man would keep his secret but the plan didn’t rely on it.
Wilfer knew Zumi wouldn’t like this plan. As they waited, she acted very nervously; looking around and tapping her fingers and feet.
“I have to go to the bathroom,” Zumi said after he told her to relax.
“Hold it. I can’t let you ruin the whole plan if you go out there at the wrong moment. Maybe I can find a bucket,” Wilfer said.
Zumi said, “Never mind,” and remained quiet and still from that point on, deep in thought.
Two long hours passed with no activity. Even Wilfer was getting tired of waiting. He almost had fallen asleep when he heard the main door open. The proprietor greeted the newcomer. Wilfer could not hear nor see the person who entered and he dared not steal a look and ruin the entire plan. He just had to wait and trust in the plan.
Zumi made a motion to stand up and whispered, “I’ll take a look,” but Wilfer put his hand very firmly on her shoulder and pushed her back down into her seat. She was about to protest but Wilfer squeezed and dug his fingers into her shoulder. Zumi gasped and looked up into his eyes. He wondered if he saw recognition and perhaps sadness there. After a moment, the tension eased as she relaxed back into her seat and said softly, “You’re hurting me.”
Wilfer took his hand off her shoulder but maintained eye contact for a while longer as a warning.
The spy must have finished his beer and obviously whatever he was waiting for didn’t happen, so he slipped up the back staircase to the rooms. They could hear his careful footfalls go up the stairs which were just on the other side of the kitchen wall.
Again, they waited. It was far longer than they expected – almost a half an hour. Then they heard the man climb back down the stairs. They waited expectantly to hear the man leave by the front doors, but he did not.
After the sun had dawned, the man finally exited the building. Ikvig had been waiting all night just outside the door to seize the man. In the light of the morning, the man saw Ikvig out of the corner of his eye before the giant could spring his trap. The spy escaped and ran as fast as he could. Ikvig ran after him but the spy ran faster. Though large and strong, Ikvig did not excel at running; he quickly grew tired and lost ground. At the very edge of town, just as the spy ran safely clear, a branch flew out from behind the last building and tangled itself with the spy’s fleeing feet. He fell forward onto his face and quickly attempted to get back up, but that was all the time Ikvig needed to catch up to him. The giant landed a single blow to the side of the smaller man’s head and knocked him out cold. Eniyan stepped out from behind the building and handed the giant a rope.
Ikvig looked at Eniyan and smiled. Eniyan just held out his hands and said, “I didn’t stick to the plan.”
Fourteen
“Let’s get him off the street,” Ikvig said as he grabbed the unconscious soldier and carried him towards the Inn. The town remained quiet this early in the morning, but the locals were waking up.
Wilfer stopped them at the tavern door and said, “Let me distract the innkeeper. Wait a second.” Wilfer entered the tavern and said quietly to Zumi, “Tell Ikvig when it’s clear to go upstairs.”