She looked so terrified and little that Nessa had to take her hand. “It’s all right. My parents will understand. When it comes to Layden, well, I bet he’ll wish to take his family for a trip at some point. He could visit us then.”
Elise’s mouth opened a little but no sound came. She closed it, swallowed, and in a small voice said, “I meant it would be hard for you to visit me. Do you mean that you will come with me? Even after our fight this morning? Even after all I said?”
Nessa nodded, hoping that her face showed her resolve and affection. “Yes. We’ve got issues to discuss. But the argument was based on the fact that we didn’t understand the depth of the other’s feelings. You thought I didn’t love you, right? Well, I thought you only wanted to be my friend and bedfellow. The things you said to the Queen about me makes me think that I was wrong and that I’m forgiven. So, unless you meant the things you said this morning, and those things keep you from wanting to be with me, I’d like to stay with you.”
Elise gripped her hand tight. “I did certainly not mean those things, my cherished. I was hurt, and I thought you refused to let yourself love me because you found me unworthy. I lost my temper. As per usual. There will be plenty of time for explaining later. Just know that I adore you, hope you forgive me, and that I will do anything to keep you with me.”
“Us, however, ye’ll have to leave ‘ere,” Cai said. “Sorry to interrupt an’ sorry to ‘ave to say goodbye, but I reckon it makes sense for us to split up now. Me an’ Fyhre can double back an’ try to confuse anyone who might be lookin’ for ye. Ye need to find a place to lay low while ye pick yer way out of the city. An’ speakin’ as a born survivor, the less details I know, the less I can be forced to tell anyone chasin’ ye. That goes for Royal guards and the city guards alike.”
Nessa looked from Fyhre to Cai. She hadn’t known them for long, but they already felt like close friends. “Hunter will know where we go. Come visit us one day?” she asked.
“Aye. An’ one day ye’ll come back to Nightport,” Fyhre stated in her succinct way.
“Absolutely,” Elise replied. “Thank you both for your assistance tonight. It was vital, and I adore you for it.” Then she tossed herself at Fyhre, hugging her so tight that the larger woman nearly toppled backwards.
Cai laughed and joined the hug, making it an Elise sandwich. Nessa watched through the haze of tear-brimmed eyes. When Elise had released them, it was Nessa’s turn for a more sober embrace from each.
“Please pass on our goodbyes to Sanjero and Jac. Give them hugs from us. Tell them that they have to come with you when you visit,” Nessa croaked.
“Aye. Will do,” Cai said, patting Nessa’s shoulder. “Take care, heartlings. May the gods be kind to ye, an’ may the Queen catch the fuck-pox.”
They shared one last laugh, all except Elise who was choking on the description of the bedding disease. Fyhre and Cai left with heavy steps, walking back towards the White Raven by the looks of it.
They watched them for a heartbeat or two until Hunter cleared his throat. “We need to find you a ship, then?”
Nessa took Elise’s hand before answering. “Yes. Will there be one tonight, do you think?”
He shook his head. “It is far too late now. Morning is a good time for ships travelling to the other continents.”
“Then Cai was right, we should lay low tonight. Somewhere close to the harbour, perhaps?” Elise asked.
Hunter looked at her as if she had been naughty. “It is a port. But yes.”
Elise rolled her eyes. “Port, harbour, whatever it is. Wherever it is. At the end of Core Street, is it not?”
“Wait, you have not visited it?” he asked, incredulous.
“No. We were warned that it was rough and smelly, so it was not exactly a priority for us. Does that matter right now?” Elise asked.
He wrinkled his nose. “I suppose not. But, but… it is the heart of this city. Nightport, remember?”
Nessa’s patience was draining. “Yes, yes. Enough of the tourist notes. We need a place to stay, we need some of our belongings, and then we need a ship as soon as humanly possible. I don’t want us anywhere near that Queenly pain in the arse when she starts scheming again.”
Hunter gave a brisk nod. “Right. Let us start walking in that direction and we will nail down more details as we go.”
With that, he began to stroll down the street. Nessa was about to ask him to speed up until she realised how innocent he looked at his leisurely pace. She fell into step with him and soon felt Elise’s presence by her side. Four chilly fingers slid against her palm and a thumb brushed the back of her hand. Nessa took the hand and squeezed it, hearing Elise breathe out a shaky breath.
Hunter turned to them, carefree as ever. “So, you actually played cards with the Queen, Nessa. Who won?”
“I think I did. That doesn’t much matter now, does it?” Nessa snapped.
He shrugged. “I guess not. I merely wondered what happened to the coin you played for.”
“I would assume the Queen took it. It is probably being spent on a slew of mercenaries to hunt us down,” Elise said in a chipper tone so forced it almost shattered.
Hunter smiled at her pityingly. “Right. Anyway, as you need more distance between you and her Royal Highness, you require a sea voyage to one of the other continents. So far, we are all agreed, yes?”
Both women nodded as they walked along.
He clapped his hands. “Good. Luckily, from Nightport, there are ships to all three. However, I fear the steamships to the Western Isles and Obeha will be filled. Autumn is growing colder, and people want to travel to the warm continents. However, if there is a ship across Whistler’s Sea to somewhere in Storsund tomorrow, I can get you on board.”
Elise scrunched up her nose. “Storsund? But that is so far north, worse than Arclid’s highlands. I was taught that it was a huge barren place with snow, dangerous trains, and dirty coal mines. That is why the Queen dreaded visiting there.”
Hunter chuckled. “Do not underestimate it. It is not barren simply because it is cold and big. In fact, it is thriving. You are both better schooled than me, so you must know that the steam engine was invented there. And the locomotive. Well, rail tracks are being laid all over the continent now, making their industry flourish, their trade thrive, and their economy grow accordingly. And, they have frost fairs every winter on the River Orla. Huge marketplaces and circuses all on the thick ice. Marvellous!”
“You’ve been there?” Nessa asked.
“A few times. To the two harbour cities you can sail to from here. I worked as a rope boy on the sail ships as a young lad. You wanted adventure, Miss Clay, if that is your real name. Well, Storsund is full of adventure. Dark forests, big cities, and more history and folklore than you can shake a stick at. Lovely vodka to keep you warm as well.”
“Well, at least I can see what their architecture looks like. My father would have liked that notion,” Elise said quietly.
There was a shout of “You there!” behind them, and as if on command, they all took off running.
“Probably not for us, but better safe than sorry, eh?” Hunter said as he ran, his cobalt coat slapping against his legs.
They ran until Nessa’s lungs ached in the cold air. Then, her feet were on a more yielding surface. Wooden planks covered what must be the port. There were none of Nightport’s gaslit streetlights here. The only illumination came from lanterns with block candles in them attached to some of the buildings and gas lit lamps dotted on the edges of the dock, marking out the drop to the sea. They all stopped and tried to catch their breath. Poor Elise was doubled over, gasping. Nessa filled her aching lungs with air that smelled of the salty sea and wet wood. Rotting fish guts spilled on the planks, provided an unwelcome undertone.
Hunter held out his arms like he was offering the vista to them. “Welcome to the port of Nightport,” he huffed.
“You know, the ‘port’ bit is obvious. But the ‘night’ part has alwa
ys confused me,” Elise admitted in rasping pants.
Hunter took a deep breath. Then another. Not wanting to sound breathy as he broke in to his theatrical tour guide bit, Nessa assumed.
“Well, some say it was the dark deeds that took place in the city, usually after nightfall. Others say it was because the wood smoke and fog made the city look dark from the vantage point of sailors out on their ships. The truth is that no one remembers anymore. Sad really,” he said.
“And irrelevant right now,” Nessa snapped.
The other two looked at her strangely, but didn’t argue. Nessa’s blood was rushing so hard she could see the veins on the backs of her hands bulging. Maybe Elise’s quick temper was contagious. Maybe it was just fear. All Nessa knew was that they had to find somewhere safe. Immediately.
“There is a long line of warehouses down here. Filled with lumber and grains to go across the sea. I know of one where I have sometimes gone to lay low for a while. Or where I have suggested visitors wanting some release sneak in with a lover or two,” Hunter said mischievously.
“Will it be safe for us to spend the night there?” Elise asked, slightly less out of breath now.
Hunter inclined his head. “It should be, yes. It is further away from the others and not much to look at, so it does not normally attract attention.”
Elise darted in another question. “And while we hide in there, can you try to get us tickets for one of the steamships?”
He dusted off his cuffs. “I shall do more than try; I shall get them for you. The taverns down here are where all the captains and ship crews drink. I will find the right people to ask.”
“Thank you, Hunter. For that and for taking time away from your work to aid two hunted nobodies,” Nessa said.
“No need to even mention it. You have become my friends, and I am low on those. Furthermore, you are not nobodies. The Queen herself hunts you. You are famous! I can live long on the tales I can regale Nightport visitors with about this night. I will tell them of your adventures while I lead them to an expensive tavern and keep embellishing until they are out of coin. Earning me a nice pay-out, indeed.”
Nessa elbowed him in the side, while Elise merely laughed. It felt nice to have a moment of calm and banter.
“Oh, and I will return to 21 Miller Street and fetch a few things for you. I cannot take all that much, though. It might look suspicious if I come out of your rooms with large bags stuffed with frilly dresses and jewellery.”
Nessa held up her hand. “We won’t require that. Mainly it’s our coin we’ll be needing. Especially to pay for the tickets you will get us. We can use Arclid coins in Storsund, right?”
“Of course. We share a currency with them and Obeha. Only the Western Isles insist on their strange tin coins. I have a pencil and some paper in my coat pocket. I will make a list when we are inside. No need to pay for the tickets, by the way. Most captains around here owe me a favour. I make sure of it. Your payment can be offering me a home to visit in Storsund.”
“So, then we will be owing you a favour, too. Why am I not surprised?” Elise teased.
Hunter winked at Elise, closing both eyes as he did so.
Nessa rolled her eyes. Why can’t these people wink properly?
“Are we almost there?” she asked.
“Almost,” Hunter said, picking up the pace.
He took them further down the dock until they came to a scruffy-looking warehouse, smaller than its neighbours. It had lanterns on the wall, too, but they were unlit, making it look abandoned. To the left of the door there was a collection of rocks on the ground. He picked up an ordinary-looking stone. Under it was a rusty key. He took it and unlocked the sizable warehouse doors. They opened with a creak that must have been heard all the way back to the White Raven.
Hunter hurried over to the right-hand side of the unlit building, where there seemed to be a table of some kind. He lit a gas lamp, and the warehouse was illuminated by a frail light, struggling against the thick darkness. Nessa wished it was summer, so they could have some warming sunlight soon. Alas, the safety of daylight was hours and hours away.
She looked around and saw stack after huge stack of timber. “Don’t they have trees in Storsund?” she asked in a whisper, which was more due to the impressive vastness of the warehouse than the fact that they were hiding.
Hunter laughed. “They have plenty of it. This timber is going to the Western Isles, where the trees have slender stems of yielding wood. Our sturdy timber delivered, the ships come back to us loaded with sunberries and spices. Import and export. You have something we want, and we have something you need.”
He bent down and grabbed a bundle that was wedged under the rickety table holding the lamp. “Speaking of needing, you will require these. They are blankets I keep for the amorous visitors I direct here. It gets a tad cold as the night goes on. Although the warehouse should apparently be insulated to not damage the timber. The cold draughts makes the wood shrink. Or is it expand? I was not properly listening to the owner, she tends to babble on.”
He must have spotted the impatience on Nessa’s face, because he threw the bundle at her. She deftly caught it and he carried on speaking. “No pillows or mattresses, sadly. You will make up for it when you get to Storsund, plenty of cosy luxury to be had there. Simply ask anyone for nice hotels and rented rooms. Did I mention that most of them speak our language? You should be able to make yourself understood. At least if you stay in the big cities. The countryside I know nothing about.”
Nessa scoffed. “Oh, don’t I know it.”
He made a face at her which improved her mood enough for her to chuckle. Looking pleased with that, he took a crumpled piece of paper and a pencil stump out of his coat pocket. “So. What is it you want me to fetch from your room?”
Elise took a step forward. “The book that Nessa gave me, which is on the night stand next to the bed. It has a bright cover, you cannot miss it. On the dressing table is a hairbrush, please pack that and a couple of hair ties for Nessa. Also, the two jars of sugar pumpkin oil that Nessa’s mother sent us. You will find them on top of the dresser. And of course, our stash of coin, which you will find in a plain wooden box hidden behind our shoes in the wardrobe.”
“It’s covered with an old shirt, too. Lift that and you’ll see the box,” Nessa added.
He nodded at her before writing that down. She could only hope he wouldn’t be fool enough to lose that piece of paper.
Hunter looked back up at her. “Anything you want from the room, Nessa?”
“I suppose a full change of clean clothes would be too bulky,” she mumbled. He agreed, and they all fell silent while Nessa pondered.
“I think I’d like some writing paper and a pencil. I need to write a farewell letter to my parents and Layden.” Even Nessa could hear how her voice wavered. She cursed her weakness; neither of her parents would appreciate this sentimentality.
Hunter smiled reassuringly. “Of course. And I will make sure it gets delivered to them. In fact, I might venture there myself. I have never been to Ground Hollow. I might get to see a man marry a cow.”
She sneered at his attempt to cheer her up by baiting her. “What you might see is a boot kicking you out for being rude. People are raised properly in Ground Hollow.”
He laughed but then brought the attention back to the crumpled piece of paper in his hand. “Anything else to go on the list?”
Nessa and Elise looked at each other, both shaking their heads. Neither of them had brought much with them to Nightport, and it looked like they would leave in the same way.
“Splendid. I shall pick those things up. As you did not ask for much, I can probably fit in some clean underthings and maybe a shirt or two. I have no idea what underthings ladies wear, but I trust I will find some smaller objects of clothing tucked away in the dresser?”
Elise smiled kindly at him. “Yes. The top drawer has the undershirts, socks and nether coverings. Thank you. Bring as much as you can fit in the sa
tchel, which hangs on a hook by the door. And in the carpet bag I bought to carry food in, that will come in handy now. I think it is by the foot of the bed.”
“I shall do exactly that. I will try to pick up something to eat and drink as well. You two have a long night ahead and a lengthy journey awaiting you tomorrow.”
He bowed and left. When the door closed on him and the chilly ocean air, Nessa glanced over at Elise. She was fretting with her scarf, loosening and tightening it at her throat. Nessa had to look away, staring at her feet seemed a good choice right now.
Moments ticked by until Elise broke the silence. “So… the things that were sent to us in the midnight blue wrapping paper. They were parts of a tinderbox.”
“I gathered that from your talk with the Queen.”
“Silly really. I should have guessed that right away. I just…” Elise wrapped her arms around herself. “I did not believe the Queen cared enough about me to pursue me. I thought I was merely one of many diversions, forgotten the second I was out of view.”
“Clearly you’re more memorable and loveable than you think,” Nessa mumbled.
“Yes. It would seem that I am suffering from your usual problem.”
Nessa felt her ire prickle up. “Excuse me?”
Elise’s eyes widened, and she held her hands out. “Oh, I meant no harm. I only meant that you constantly underestimate what people feel for you. You missed that Isobel had taken a liking to you and you did not notice that I had… fallen for you.”
Nessa swallowed, feeling as if there was something jagged in her throat. “Did you mean those nice things you said about me to the Queen?” she croaked out.
Elise took a small step closer to her. “You know I did. I meant all those things. Unlike the things I said this morning. Gods, was it only this morning? This day has taken an age.”
Nessa scuffed her boot against the dusty floorboards. “There seemed to be a lot of truth in those things you said.”
The tug of war in Nessa threatened to rip her apart. Pain and pride on one side, her need for Elise on the other.
Making a Tinderbox (The Tinderbox Tales Book 1) Page 30