“I wouldn’t mind getting some news on the situation in Lorgo,” added Arik. “We don’t know what has happened since we left.”
Garth looked up at Arik, Tedi, and Tanya standing across the fire. Garth turned to Kalina for help and she smiled at him. “I did promise to try and find books for Niki and we could use some more leather and dyes,” she shrugged.
Garth laughed heartily. “What is the matter, Tedi?” he quipped. “Didn’t they let you in on this con?”
“I’m quite happy here,” Tedi remarked. “Though I have no objections to helping Tanya with the horses. You really can’t handle them all by yourself.”
Garth looked around at all the smiling and eager faces. “Okay,” he consented as he threw his hands up. “I don’t need a mutiny on my hands, but . . .” Garth grew deadly serious as he continued, “but we have to be very careful. There are dangers in the cities and one loose word will endanger us all. Arik, you will be in charge and you will keep everyone safe. I will need to pick up some information while I am in the city and it will not be safe for all of you to be around me. Kalina and I are known by different names in Melbin. Do not use them unless you are in dire trouble, but we are known as Mikal and Yolinda Obanik.”
“Why do you use different names for different places?” asked Tanya. “Are you wanted criminals?”
“We have broken no laws,” Kalina answered, “but, still, we have many enemies. For your own safety, you will pretend not to know us in the city unless we approach you and then you will use the new names Garth has just told to you.”
Everyone nodded in agreement and the evening was filled with excited plans for the outing to Melbin. In the morning everyone except Garth shed their black uniform and donned clothes that would fit the city. The entire campsite was cleaned up and the group was ready to leave at first light.
By midday, the walls of Melbin rose in the distance and Arik and Tedi stared in awe. While the boys were impressed by the size of the city, Fredrik, Niki, and Tanya were only curious about what Melbin would be like.
As they rode on, Garth explained a bit about Melbin. “The city was not always this large,” he began. “Before the Collapse it was a little larger than Lorgo because it was a seaport for Targa. The Sordoan border was only a few miles south of here. During the war Melbin was attacked by both sides repeatedly and what they didn’t destroy, the Collapse did. After the Collapse, the citizens began to rebuild the city and one of them, Alfred Krakus, declared himself King of Melbin. He had the old garrison destroyed and a wall built around the city. Other than the seacoast, there are only three gates to get in and out of the city, one on each side of the city. In the center of the city he built himself a grand palace. The times were very troubled then and the wall around Melbin attracted many immigrants. The city is now filled to overflowing and construction is occurring outside the walls. The King taxes the people heavily, but they seem willing to pay his tribute because crime is almost nonexistent in Melbin. The laws are very strict and many minor offenses result in the death of the violator. Do not steal or cheat a merchant during your stay in Melbin.”
Garth paused to make sure everyone had heard his last statement. “Magic is forbidden,” Garth continued, “but like a lot of things, magic is used in private with no consequences. The Black Devils maintain a house in Melbin openly and no one complains. I suppose that I do not have to remind you to stay clear of the Black Devils, but remember that if you use magic inside Melbin, you will draw their notice. Kalina and I are going to use the West Gate to enter. The rest of you will use the South Gate. There is an inn on the coastal highway called the Fluttering Jib. That is where you will stay. We will be staying in the Bosun’s Chair across the street.”
After they had ridden on for a mile, Garth and Kalina veered off towards the West Gate and the rest of the group continued on towards the South Gate. Their excitement rose as they neared the walls and approached the massive South Gate. Streams of people were entering and exiting the city. Tedi felt uneasy passing before the stern looking guards in their orange and black livery, but the guards paid the group no more than a passing look.
Once inside the city walls, smells and sounds assaulted the group’s senses. Arik and Tedi savored the salty air of the seaport, while Fredrik and Niki inhaled the scents of the merchants and food sellers. Hawkers cried out to them as they passed, offering deals at favorite inns and restaurants, or offering to take them on a city tour. The Rangers ignored the offers and strode on towards the Fluttering Jib. Fredrik had to pull Niki along several times as she stopped to inspect a merchant’s wares.
Even the street in front of the Fluttering Jib was busy with street-side jugglers and musicians. Arik turned and looked across the street to the Bosun’s Chair as they turned down the alley alongside the inn to the stables. The stables were large and well cared for and Arik inquired about a blacksmith and was told that the inn had a working relationship with one. Arik could make his arrangements with the blacksmith and leave the horses in the stable. The blacksmith would collect the horses as needed and have everything ready in the morning.
Satisfied, the group entered the Fluttering Jib through the back door to the common room. The place was busy, but the innkeeper saw them and came right over. Arik was staring at the size of the common room, so Fredrik spoke to the innkeeper. He requested two rooms and the Rangers turned to look at him as he gave his name as Lord Wason of Cidal. The innkeeper, however, showed the proper respect due a Lord and escorted the group upstairs and showed them their rooms. The rooms were large enough to be comfortable, but small enough to prohibit spending any more time in them than necessary.
Once the boys entered their room, Fredrik stripped off his traveling clothes and donned the red velvet suit, which he was wearing when he left Cidal. Arik and Tedi began teasing him about it, until they noticed his serious look as he started fastening knives to his legs and arms. Another sheath was strapped to his back at his waist and one between his shoulder blades. Two more went into his waistband in the front, one to each side and Fredrik arranged his jacket so they were not visible.
“Are you planning for a battle?” Arik asked.
“I want to try them out and see if anyone detects them,” Fredrik explained. “People in cities are used to hidden weapons and one game they play is to try to spot a newcomer’s hidden cache. I plan to fatten my private coffers with a little gambling. Would either of you care to join me?”
“I promised Tanya that I would join her in a trip to the weapons merchants,” declined Arik.
“No, Thanks,” Tedi said. “I think I will just walk around and see what a city is like.”
Arik left soon after Fredrik, and Tedi went down to the common room to get a bite to eat. The inn was still serving the midday meal and the common room was fairly crowded. Tedi found a seat at an empty table and waited for someone to offer him food. A guard in the orange and black livery of Melbin and a man in a light green woolen tunic occupied the table next to Tedi and he listened to their conversation as he waited. The conversation was fairly boring as it centered on women, gambling, and crude jokes and Tedi was glad when a young girl finally came to offer him some food and drink. Tedi was elated that fresh fish was one of the food choices and ordered a plate of flounder and potatoes with a green salad. The price was a bit high, but all of the Rangers had a fair bit of coin taken from the bodies of the Dark Riders and Tedi desired a good fish dinner.
Tedi let his eyes rove over the crowd in the common room while still listening to the conversation at the next table. The men started talking about other people and Tedi had no idea who they were talking about, but every once and a while he picked interesting comments about other places. He heard them mention a mercenary company from Cidal in a favorable light. There was talk of two rival factions fighting for control of Trekum and some game that was played in Tagaret called, The Game of Power, that was killing people. There were mentions of places that Tedi had never heard of and creatures that sounded impossible to
imagine.
Tedi’s food arrived and he savored the smell and flavor of the seafood. He had never thought that he would miss eating fish, but the mere flavor of the flounder brought a smile to his lips. He thought about Fredrik’s comments before leaving the room and looked at the people in the common room anew. There were all sorts of people about. Most of them were travelers, of course, but the room seemed to be favored by locals, as well. Tedi saw several tables where the people kept coming and going, but those who were already at the table always knew the newcomers. This obviously marked them as locals having the midday meal.
Others looked around cautiously as though they were unfamiliar with their surroundings and fearful of everything and everybody that came into the room. These were obviously new travelers and Tedi laughed to himself that he probably looked just like them. Still others had the look of being separate but familiar. This group was used to traveling and staying in strange places, perhaps they had even stayed here before, but they were still wary. They didn’t shun the companionship of the others, nor were they eager to invite it. They gave the impression that this was a normal occurrence in their profession and, therefore, familiar, but had had enough experience to know that danger always existed, even in familiar territory. They were probably messengers, merchants, and couriers.
Tedi had seen much of the same behavior in the Fisherman’s Inn in Lorgo when he spent several weeks there following his mother’s disappearance, but the Fluttering Jib presented it on a much larger scale. From the number of inns they had passed on the way to this one, he knew that Melbin must be a city of considerable importance for quite a distance around.
Tedi finished his meal and sat drinking his weak ale. He watched as a guard in the orange and black livery entered and began searching the room. The man was obviously looking for someone and when he looked in Tedi’s direction, his eyes widened and he started forward. Tedi felt a moment of fear as the guard marched towards him and he relaxed only when he realized the guard was interested in the table next to him.
Tedi berated himself for being so foolish, as the newcomer joined the guard and man at the next table. Tedi drained his ale and prepared to leave when the conversation at the next table caught his ear.
“So, there you are, Hanjel,” the newcomer said. “The Captain will have your throat if he finds you in here. You are still listed as on duty.”
“Easy, Lomar,” the seated guard replied. “He thinks I am delivering a message and when I get back my shift will be over. Join us for a bit.”
“Did I just hear you offer to buy me a drink?” chuckled Lomar.
“Now, why would I do that?” Hanjel coughed.
“Because I know something that will interest you,” smirked Lomar.
Hanjel signaled the serving girl and said, “Sit and convince me that you know something interesting, Lomar, before the serving girl collects my money.”
“I just saw Mikal Obanik walk into the Bosun’s Chair,” Lomar grinned.
Hanjel choked and spit ale across the table. “The devil, you did!” he cursed.
Chapter 16
King Alfred
When the serving girl arrived and Hanjel had ordered Lomar an ale, Tedi ordered another one for himself and continued to listen.
“Sure, he did, Hanjel,” Lomar said as he drank his ale greedily. “I saw himself not five minutes ago. I’ve been looking for you ever since.”
“Who is this Mikal Obanik?” the third man asked.
“An old friend of Hanjel’s, Chekst,” Lomar chuckled.
“Friend, my foot!” Hanjel spat angrily and Chekst looked confused.
“He is an ex-Targa Ranger,” Lomar supplied. “Supposedly was a personal friend of Colonel Alexander Tork. I never met Tork, but this Obanik is the meanest, toughest son of a mother that ever walked the face of the earth. Hanjel and two of his friends had the displeasure of meeting him about five years ago and you can tell that Hanjel still remembers him, fondly, of course.”
Hanjel smashed his mug down on the table, drawing attention from all over the common room. “I’ll fondly you, Lomar, if you don’t wipe that grin off your face,” Hanjel growled. “The man’s a bandit and a liar and deserves to die. Friend of Tork, indeed. Tork is just a myth, and a dead myth at that, but seeing as they was friends, maybe Obanik ought to go see Tork, whatever hell he is in.”
“Oh, Tork is no myth,” Chekst objected. “I had a friend in the Sordoan Royal Guard that was in the Royal Palace the day that Tork assassinated the Sultan. He saw him again the day the Empress died. No, Tork is no myth, but why does this Obanik bother you so much?”
“Obanik was supposedly passing through town about five years ago,” Lomar began. “Three men started getting on him about him having been a Targa Ranger and how King Byron of Targa was the cause of the Collapse. When Obanik tried to ignore them, they got rowdy. Obanik got up and left the inn and three fools followed him out into the street and drew their swords on him. Most amazing display of swordsmanship I ever saw. Obanik drew his sword and fended off the three men and called for the guard to arrest the fools so he wouldn’t have to kill them. Well, the guard showed up, all right. Three senior guardsmen came and one of them was Hanjel here.”
“I think you’ve said enough for one day,” threatened Hanjel.
Lomar ignored the other guard and continued. “The three guards started taking bets on the outcome instead of intervening. Finally Obanik shook his head and in one twirling motion, cut the three fools in half. Hanjel and his two buddies arrested him for murder and took him before King Alfred who sentenced him to death. Some of the citizens objected and the King ordered an investigation. When King Alfred discovered what had really happened, he offered Obanik a choice, become the General of the Melbin Army or leave the city and never return. Either way, Obanik would be required to teach the three guards, who had not broken up the fight, a lesson. Obanik chose to leave the city and said that his sword was already too bloody to use against the guards.”
“Well, Hanjel should at least be happy about that,” Chekst said.
Hanjel threw his ale mug at the wall and stormed out of the inn. Lomar shook his head and continued the story. “The King was not pleased with either of Obanik’s responses. He decided to throw Obanik in the ring against the three guards, anyway, but without Obanik’s sword. Hanjel and his friends were thrilled and they all gleefully drew their steel to kill Obanik, but it didn’t quite turn out that way. Obanik beat the three of them without his sword, killed one of them even, and knocked the other two unconscious. Hanjel and the other guard were demoted to new recruits and Obanik was shown the gate out of the city.”
“Will Hanjel arrest him for returning to the city?” Chekst asked.
“I don’t think so,” Lomar answered. “Hanjel curses the day he arrested him the last time. I fear he will try to kill Obanik and that, I am sure, will result in Hanjel’s death. I would arrest Obanik myself to save Hanjel, but I think the King might impose his original sentence on the Ranger and he doesn’t deserve to die for killing those fools.”
“You said you saw the fight,” Chekst asked, “why didn’t you stop it?”
“I wasn’t in the guard then,” Lomar stated. “It was Hanjel’s poor performance that made me want to join the guard. I was ashamed of his performance and thought the Kingdom deserved better than that.”
Tedi rose and casually walked out into the street, eyeing the door to the Bosun’s Jib. Hanjel was nowhere in sight, so he marched across the street and entered the common room. He found the innkeeper and inquired about Mikal Obanik and was told that he had gone out. Tedi wanted to alert Garth, but he did not want to leave a message with the innkeeper, so he left.
* * * *
Arik was amazed at the wealth of merchandise available from the weapons merchants. There were swords of every shape and size, battle-axes, crossbows, longbows, horse bows, staffs, pikes; the list was endless. The variety of knives alone would keep Fredrik busy for a week just picking out the t
ypes he wanted. There were weapons that Arik could not name, or even guess what they were, or how they were used, and these were the ones that Tanya were interested in. She had already purchased five finely polished and balanced fighting staffs and something called a bola, which looked like a heavy cord with a ball on each end. The bola confused Arik until the merchant demonstrated its use. Still, he had no idea what Tanya intended to use it for. Perhaps she would give it to Niki and Niki could use it to snare herself a King.
Arik found himself fondling a longbow and the merchant asked him if he would care to try it out. Arik nodded and the merchant handed him a bowstring and three metal-shafted arrows. Arik bent the longbow, which was much stiffer than his Lorgo bow, and attached the bowstring. The merchant was on the edge of a practice field and there were several targets erected across the field at even intervals. The merchant suggested he shoot at the closest target.
Arik stuck two of the arrows into the ground and saw the merchant wince. He held the third arrow and felt its smooth finish and fine balance. He had never seen a metal arrow before and shuddered at the thought of leaving a dozen of them in enemy bodies after a battle. Killing could get to be an expensive hobby, at the price of these metal arrows.
“Remember,” the merchant said softly, “your drawback will be half again greater than your country bow.”
Arik nodded thoughtfully as he nocked the metal arrow. He mentally adjusted for the difference in force and smoothly let the arrow fly. His arrow struck lower than he would have thought and he quickly pulled an arrow from his own quiver and repeated the procedure. His wooden arrow hit dead center and the merchant smiled approvingly. Arik plucked a second metal arrow from the ground and, after mentally adjusting for the extra weight of the metal arrow, sent it sailing into his wooden arrow.
Sapphire of the Fairies, Book 1 of Sword of Heavens Page 19