by Sam Ferguson
He smiled thinking about her, wondering what she and Pa were doing at the very moment he was about to explore another elven city. Strange to think he had lived so close to something so different as the elvish culture, cities, and people, and yet had never experienced them before. He doubted whether more than a handful of people from Holstead had ever ventured into Tanglewood Forest before.
He glanced up at the gray walls and saw the open portcullis before him. This city also had a set of guards at the gate, but they were not stopping anyone as they passed through. The guards played some sort of dice game upon wooden tables off to the side of the gatehouse while Ziegler and the rest of the crew walked through to the city.
Ziegler turned around and shot Jonathan a wink that seemed to underscore the ease with which they had entered the city. A mischievous grin appeared on the large man’s face and then he turned back around and sped his pace so that Jonathan had to quick-step to keep up with him.
They walked down a cobblestone street to the left that wound its way between several tall, thin buildings, each complete with brass plaques on them. Jonathan squinted to read them, but soon found that the signs were not posted in Common Tongue. They were written in the fine, elegant letters of the Taish language.
“Government buildings,” Ruben said from behind.
Jonathan started, unaware that Ruben had been so close to him.
The tall, handsome wizard quickened his pace to match Jonathan’s and pointed out the buildings. “The red brick building there is the office of the Dockmaster. The gray building beside it is a government warehouse. Over there,” Ruben said as he pointed to the other side of the street, “I see a shipwright’s guild, a lawyer’s office, and the accounting guild.”
Jonathan nodded appreciatively as his mind was able to connect each building with their purpose.
“Looks like a fishing guild is over here,” Ruben said as he pointed to a green and tan building on the left. The brownstone building beside it is a cartography guild, they’ll have exquisite maps inside there.”
Jonathan nodded, but was not nearly as excited about the prospect of maps as Ruben apparently was. The young wizard rubbed his hands together and smiled wide, looking back to Jonathan excitedly.
“Come with me,” he said.
“In there?” Jonathan asked, indicating the cartography guild.
Ruben nodded enthusiastically. “Come on, we can find something to help with our journey.”
Jonathan couldn’t decide whether to agree or protest. On the one hand, he didn’t want to do anything with Ruben. On the other hand, since his precious travel guide had been lost in the waters under Gadrien’s house, he was more than a little excited to see the maps of the elven nation made by actual elves. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Ruben made the decision for Jonathan, wrapping an arm around the boy’s shoulders and pulling him toward the cartography guild. Separated from the group now, Jonathan knew it would likely look worse to everyone if he pulled away to rejoin the others, and he didn’t want Ruben to catch on to how much he disliked the fellow. In another life they might have been friends, perhaps, but with things the way they were now, Jonathan was very uncomfortable to be in Ruben’s presence. In any case, he decided to make the best of it, choosing to focus on the treasures of knowledge he might find inside.
Ruben pulled the door open, ringing out a loud brass bell that bounced over the doorway, announcing their arrival. Jonathan walked in and smelled the unmistakable scent of old paper. Large, hand-drawn maps were framed upon the walls. A set of wooden counters lined each wall, some with rolled maps stacked neatly on top, and others left bare, with rectangular leather mats upon the wood surface. He smiled despite himself, eager to get his hands on a new map of Tanglewood Forest. Everything in here was so much bigger than the pages in the book he had lost that almost any map was bound to have more detailed information than what he had previously had access to.
A frail, elderly elf sat upon a stool, his left knee up nearly under his chin as he fiddled with the laces on his brown leather boots. The elf adjusted his spectacles and looked up to them with a kind smile.
“Don’t get many visitors from beyond the elven lands,” he said as he slid off the stool and stepped forward to place his hands upon the counter. “What is it you are looking for? Directions to the nearest inn perhaps?”
Ruben shook his head. “I am Ruben Faelwyn,” Ruben said. “I am here on holiday, but thought I might peruse some of your maps, if I may.”
The elf’s gray eyes seemed to light up and his bushy, white brows lifted with his widening smile. “Master Faelwyn, a pleasure to meet you. I have heard of you. I am a cartographer by profession, but my first passion has always been the arcane arts. I have visited Lehemat even, and counseled with wizards there, oh but that was a few centuries before your time.”
Jonathan glanced to Ruben, who was smiling modestly and nodding as if he had heard of the elf as well.
“I am Master Cartographer Eustinian Fink.”
Jonathan drew his brows together at the name. It sounded familiar somehow, but he couldn’t quite place it.
Ruben turned to indicate Jonathan. “This is Jonathan Haymaker, a famous hero from our wars with the trolls.”
At that, Eustinian wrinkled his nose and his smile turned to a sour grimace. “Disgusting creatures, trolls. We’d all be better off if the lot of them had never been born in the muddy quags in the south, that’s for sure.”
Ruben pressed the matter. “Jonathan made it into the Warrens, and managed to slay the troll king.”
Jonathan couldn’t help but let a small, proud grin creep onto his face.
Eustinian nodded. “Yes, yes, that’s a fine feat.” The elf’s tone was flat, entirely void of surprise or wonder. Usually, such a statement in Holstead would have a stranger gushing over Jonathan, or at least it had for the first many months after he returned. Even with the people of Holstead growing used to seeing Jonathan around again, none of them had ever given him quite the cold greeting this elf had. Eustinian drummed his bony fingers on the counter and looked back to Ruben. “What kind of maps interest you, Master Faelwyn?”
The elf turned and pointed to a bookshelf replete with rolled maps. “I have maps of the peninsula, or more detailed depictions of each region. I also have many wonderful maps of the sea. Of course, the maps that detail the migrations and settlements of the merfolk are all sold out at the moment. We seem to have an increase of attacks lately. But, I do have many other fine maps of the sea if you wish.”
“What about the forest?” Ruben asked. “Have you any maps of Tanglewood?”
Eustinian’s eyes lit up again and he let out a slight chuckle.
“Do I have maps of Tanglewood?” Eustinian repeated with a laugh. “My dear friend, I am an elf cartographer. I cut my teeth surveying Tanglewood Forest. I have so many maps of Tanglewood that you would not be able to carry them all in your backpack even if you gave most to your assistant there.” Eustinian pointed at Jonathan.
“I’m not his assistant,” Jonathan protested, but Eustinian wasn’t listening. The young man’s interest in the maps was quickly waning due to the poor reception he was receiving and he soon found himself wanting to leave rather than look at any map this Eustinian character had to offer.
“Tell me, Master Faelwyn, do you wish to have a current map, or perhaps one that shows Tanglewood as it used to be? I have maps dating back eons. Of course, the originals are not for sale, but I do have a handful of careful reproductions that I could part with for the right price.”
Ruben smiled wide. “I should like two maps,” he said. “One of Tanglewood as it is today, and one from the founding years, back when the council in Gwyndoltai was whole, before the drow exodus.”
Eustinian’s eyebrows flared and his eyes widened, but he recovered quickly and nodded as he pulled his spectacles down to wipe them on the hem of his shirt. “A collector of exquisite taste, I see,” Eustinian said. “And what,
may I ask, is the purpose for which you want these maps?”
“As you know, I have a very large office in Lehemat. I should like to decorate my wall with them. I have an entire miniature library in my office devoted to Tai culture and history. I think these maps will be the capstone of my collection.”
Eustinian beamed and slapped the counter before him. “A scholar and a mage, most excellent. How could I refuse such a request?” Eustinian turned around and bent low behind the counter. He soon came up with four rolled maps in his hands. He set three to the left, and unrolled the fourth across the black leather mat on the counter.
“This one is a fine specimen, drawn by my predecessor only two centuries ago,” Eustinian said. “It depicts Tanglewood as it stands today.”
Ruben stepped close and examined it closely. Eustinian produced a magnifying glass from a large pocket in the front of his shirt. Ruben thanked him and continued studying the map.
“It is wonderful, but may I perhaps look at the others as well?”
“Certainly, certainly.” Eustinian carefully rolled the map and then pulled a second out of the pile and opened it.
“Ah!” Ruben exclaimed as he examined the map, bending close to it with the magnifying glass. “This one is perfect.”
Eustinian clapped his hands together and smiled. “I created this one. I spent more than a decade surveying the forest and capturing every relevant detail on the map.”
Ruben nodded. “It shows. Do you have something to put it in that will protect it while I travel?”
“Land or sea?” Eustinian asked.
Ruben shrugged. “Perhaps a bit of both.”
Eustinian nodded. He ducked under the counter and came up with a beautiful canisters. “The inner layer is made of cedar, the second layer is made of Tanglewood pine, and the outer layer is goat skin. This is the case I would use.”
“Wonderful,” Ruben said.
Jonathan stepped closer to look at the map. The sting of Eustinian’s insults had faded enough that he was once again curious to see the map, though he was growing impatient with Ruben and the cartographer exchanging agonizingly gushing pleasantries. As he examined the map, he saw a small set of initials in the left bottom corner. The image triggered something in his memory and he suddenly knew where he knew the name from.
“You once made a map of the Murkle Quags, didn’t you?” Jonathan blurted out.
Eustinian’s smile disappeared and he peered over the brim of his glasses down at Jonathan. “My boy, I am certain I don’t know what you are talking about.”
Ruben turned to Jonathan with a kinder expression, explaining, “The elves didn’t take part in our wars with the trolls. You ought to know that.”
Jonathan shook his head. “Then you made the map before the trolls attacked,” Jonathan pressed. “I know I have seen your initials before. They were on a map hanging on the wall at Fort Sym.”
“Young man, what business would I have down in the quags?” Eustinian replied evenly. “Do I look like the sort of young elf who can stomp through the muck and survive a scrape with wild trolls?” Eustinian shook his head and puffed air angrily. “Hardly the sort of thing an elf of my position would do.”
Ruben placed a hand on Jonathan’s shoulder, but the young man was not about to let it go.
“I know what I saw,” Jonathan said.
Eustinian pulled his glasses off and stared at Jonathan with his gray eyes. “Listen and listen well, I have never been, nor do I intend to ever be in the Murkle Quags. Elves keep to their own, and that is far beyond the reach of our lands. Besides, you ought to know that the only map of the Murkle Quags worth discussing is the one made by your grandfather.”
Jonathan opened his mouth to argue, but Ruben squeezed harder on his shoulder. A tingling rolled through his shoulder, up his neck, and into his jaw. Jonathan was unable to form any additional words.
“My apologies,” Ruben stated. “Sometimes he gets a little over anxious. He is still young, even by human standards.”
Jonathan bristled at the insinuation, but it did lighten Eustinian’s mood. The elf was smiling once more and turning away with a finger in the air as he hummed to himself. When he was sufficiently far enough away from them, Ruben bent down and whispered to Jonathan.
“I believe you, but we’ll discuss it later. Trust me.”
Jonathan looked up to Ruben’s blue eyes and saw a sincerity there that convinced him to agree with the mage. Jonathan nodded, and closed his mouth. Ruben pulled his hand away, and the tingling left Jonathan’s body.
Eustinian returned a few moments later with a single roll. “I have here an exquisite replica of the first map ever made of Tanglewood Forest after each of the main elven settlements were founded. Is this what you were looking for?”
The elf carefully unrolled the map and Ruben bent down to study it. He began listing off cities as he pointed to them. “Tirnog, Telward, Tyrwyn, Gwyndoltai, Neez, Tomyn, and Sierryn. It even has the dwarven kingdom of Shuldern drawn on here,” Ruben said with a smile. “I notice this is made by another cartographer. Have you any replicas made by your own hand?”
Eustinian shot a wary glance to Jonathan, and then shook his head. “Unfortunately, I have not had the time to do as many replicas as I would have liked. Perhaps in a decade or two.”
Ruben pursed his lips and nodded with a slight sigh. “Shame, I would have liked to create a set from the same cartographer, but no matter. Can you arrange for payment through Lehemat College of Mystics?”
Eustinian frowned slightly, and then nodded. “For you, Master Faelwyn, I can arrange such a thing. However, might I ask for a small deposit?”
Ruben nodded.
“Two hundred gold should suffice, and the balance I shall arrange with the college,” Eustinian said.
Jonathan blanched. Two hundred gold was a ridiculous sum of money for almost anything, especially for a pair of maps drawn on old paper. The young man was almost disgusted when Ruben pulled a small purse from the right side of his belt and pulled out four large gold coins.
“These are each fifty-crown coins,” Ruben said.
Eustinian lifted one up into the light and then smiled. “Pleasure doing business with you. Now, if you don’t mind, I must return to my duties.” Eustinian gestured to the door.
Jonathan wondered what duties Eustinian was talking about. After all, he had been lazily tying his shoe when they had first come in. There were no papers or other items indicating a work in progress anywhere in the room either. However, the stern look Eustinian shot Jonathan as Ruben turned away was enough to confirm the boy’s suspicions. Eustinian Fink didn’t have duties he needed to see to, he just didn’t want Jonathan in the building any longer.
Jonathan turned to follow Ruben, but his mind was abuzz with questions. Why would Eustinian lie about the map at Fort Sym? Jonathan was sure it was the same signature. Something about it made the elf extremely angry, and Jonathan was itching to unravel the mystery.
Ruben pushed the door open, and the bell sounded their exit.
Once out on the street, Ruben pulled Jonathan over to the side.
“This wasn’t just about maps, was it?” Jonathan asked.
Ruben shook his head. “I haven’t told the others, but Raven spoke to me a little about his suspicions. He said that he was almost certain elves started the war between us and the trolls.”
“Why would they do that?”
Ruben shook his head. “He didn’t know, but he knew of the same map you saw in Fort Sym.”
“Do you think Raven came here?” Jonathan pressed, pointing his chin at the cartography office.
Ruben shrugged. “Don’t know, and Eustinian doesn’t seem the type to divulge information willingly.”
“We should tell the others,” Jonathan pointed out.
Ruben nodded. “Now that you have confirmed the initials are, in fact, those belonging to Eustinian, we will. Come on, let’s catch up to them.”
“Do you know where they were
headed?” Jonathan asked.
Ruben nodded again, and the two hurried through the crowds in the street.
*****
Eustinian took in a deep breath as he watched Ruben Faelwyn huddle with the young Haymaker just outside. They were up to something. The elf knew they didn’t believe his lie about the map in Fort Sym. This was bound to have serious repercussions.
Once the pair disappeared in the throngs outside, Eustinian bolted the door and placed a sign letting others know the office was closed. He went into the back room and grabbed his velvety, blue brown over cloak. He fastened the silver brooch and then exited through a small door in the back of the office. His feet fell nimbly upon the alleyway as he hurried along through the winding pathways and thoughts of the young Haymaker kept running through his head.
The boy and mage couldn’t possibly be alone.
No, a pair like that would need help to make it through Tanglewood Forest, Eustinian knew, especially now.
A chill ran down his spine as he thought of the possibilities. Only one seemed like a logical fit.
The Ghosts of the Quags were with them, and they were looking for Raven.
Eustinian Fink quickened his pace, keeping his nose down and his hood drawn up over his face. He nearly jogged to his destination, his feet only restrained by Eustinian’s aversion for drawing attention to himself.
When he finally arrived at the manor, he ducked around the side and seized a brass knocker. He thumped the door four distinct times, and then waited. A sliding, thin panel of metal was pulled aside and a pair of green eyes peered out at Eustinian.
“Let me in,” Eustinian grumbled. “Quickly, before I am seen.”
Bolts scraped and then clicked on the other side of the door. It had only barely opened when Eustinian pushed it the rest of the way and barreled through.
“The master is busy,” the doorman said.
“I must speak with him now,” Eustinian replied evenly. He turned and glanced at the door. When he saw the doorman moving too slowly, he slammed the door shut himself. “Go, now!” Eustinian barked.