This road seemed to travel all the way around the city, just inside the rows of warehouses where the airships docked, and appeared to alternate between sections of industrial manufactories and marketplaces. They had just entered another such marketplace section and the road had continued to curve, heading due south. The sun was nearing the horizon in the west. They weren’t going to reach Malachi’s home before sundown if they didn’t hurry. Joel must have felt the press of time as well because he picked up his pace.
The marketplace stalls and shops thinned out again and Esther noticed several Inn’s. She thought about suggesting to Joel that they stop at an Inn for the night and renew their search for Malachi in the morning, but the few remaining coins in Esther’s lockbox were all the funds they had with no easy way get more. They really needed to find Malachi tonight and save what money they could.
The sun had just dipped below the horizon by the time they found themselves in another marketplace section in the Southwest quadrant of the city. The crowds had thinned and consisted mostly of workmen moving carts and goods to and from the airships outside the ring of warehouses. The marketplace stalls and shops were all closed and shut. Esther could hear laughter coming from the door of a nearby Inn. Joel turned left down a main street heading into the city, towards what appeared to be residential structures.
At first the residences were little more than huts, but quickly gave way to more moderate apartments and houses packed tightly together. The Satrap of Deyr had said his cousin lived in a small house near the marketplace in the Southwest quadrant. They should be nearing their destination.
Joel stopped a man walking nearby and asked if he knew which house belonged to Malachi. The man pointed down the street and to the right. Joel thanked him and led them in the direction the man had indicated. The houses on this street were all narrow, two-story structures built touching one another. Finally, they reached the house the man had said was Malachi’s. Shutters covered a window next to the door, but light leaked around the edges indicating someone was home. Joel stepped up to the door, paused looking back at them, then turned and knocked. After a moment, the door opened to reveal a tall, muscular man with a head of curly dark hair and a close cropped beard, though it was more like heavy stubble than an actual beard.
“Hello,” said Joel in coarse Hadiqan, “Pardon the intrusion. My name is Joel Mowbray. We are looking for Malachi Mehin.”
“My name is Malachi,” said the man warily.
“Oh good,” said Joel, taking out the letter the Satrap had given them and handing it to Malachi, “My companions and I are acquaintances of your cousin, the Satrap of Deyr, and he thought you might be able to help us.”
The man read the letter, looked up at them, then scanned the letter again before beckoning them inside. A small table with six chairs stood in the center of the small room and a dining buffet sat against the back wall with lighted candles on top. A narrow hallway led further back into the residence, with a stairway leading up to the left behind the wall.
“I am but a humble guard, so my home is not large,” said Malachi, leading them inside the house, “But you are welcome to stay here for the night. You men can sleep in here. I will get you some blankets. The young ladies can sleep with my children upstairs.”
“Thank you, Malachi,” said Joel, “You are very gracious to share your home with such a large group of strangers.”
“My cousin, Deyr, is a very good man. He wouldn’t send you to me with a letter like this if he did not also think that you were good trustworthy men—and women,” Malachi said, nodding to Esther and Nkiru.
Malachi turned his head as a woman came down the stairs and stepped into the front room. She was wearing a simple ghagra choli similar to Esther’s, though a bit tattered in places, with a dupatta draped around her shoulders. She had dark, kind eyes with light wrinkles at their corners that could have only been produced by much laughter and smiling.
“This is my wife, Shauri,” said Malachi.
“Welcome to my home,” said Shauri with a smile. She clasped and shook each of their hands, “You’ll have to excuse me, I was putting my children to sleep. Did I hear right that you traveled here from Deyr?”
“Yes ma’am,” said Joel, “the Satrap of Deyr was kind enough to direct us to you in hopes that you might be able to help us.”
“Yes,” said Malachi, a puzzled look crossing his face, “but the letter doesn’t say anything about what I’m supposed to be able to help you with, besides lodging of course. Perhaps—”
“Darling,” interrupted Malachi’s wife, Shauri, “We haven’t even asked if our guests have eaten. Why don’t you get them settled while I fetch some wine?”
“Yes, of course, forgive me for my lack of manners,” said Malachi, bowing his head, “Your unexpected arrival and the unusual nature of my cousin’s letter have distracted me from providing polite hospitality. Please, sit. I will go get some more chairs.”
As soon as Shauri and Malachi stepped out of the room, Esther set her bag against the wall and rubbed her shoulder where the strap had caused it to ache. Malachi returned with two chairs, followed a moment later by Shauri with the wine and a tray of flatbread and cheese. She set them on the table and pulled pottery goblets from the buffet, then poured the wine.
While they ate, Joel summarized all that had happened to them and why they had come to Al Farnaka—and more specifically—to Malachi. When he came to the part about the Madrausan High Priest, he turned to Esther and had her recount what she had heard and why she believed it to be true. Malachi sat back in his chair, his shoulders slumping as if a great burden had been placed on his shoulders.
“Even if what you say is true,” said Malachi, “my cousin is correct. Without further evidence, there would be no way that such an accusation would be believed. You would only discredit yourselves. And trying to find such evidence against nobility—and high royalty at that—is foolish. You can’t play in their game. They have seen every plot—every ploy. The things I’ve witnessed over the years as they’ve juggled for power would astonish you. I’m afraid that what you suggest is just not possible.”
“But don’t you see? There is something we can do!” interjected Esther rather forcefully, “We know when it will happen and we know from what direction it will happen. We just have to find out the details of how it will happen.”
Malachi looked from Joel to Esther in surprise.
“I trust Miss Esther’s judgment,” said Joel, “She has demonstrated an ability and understanding in these matters. I haven’t shared with you all the details of our journey because it would take too long to recount in one sitting, but it was Esther’s ingenuity and skill that single handedly allowed us to save her townspeople that had been captured and taken on those Madrausan transports.”
Joel’s confidence and belief in her filled her with a sense of pride and gratitude, and she gave him an appreciative glance.
“You’ll have to excuse the surprised look on my husband’s face,” said Shauri, smiling. “Although women speak more freely and contribute in both business and politics among our own people and in Ardmorran culture to a larger extent as well—in Hadiqan culture, women generally fill a more…domestic role.”
“Among your own people?” said Mac, “But aren’t you Hadiqan?”
Shauri smiled, “Yes, we are considered citizens of the Hadiqan Empire and our lineage is related to that of Hadiq, but culturally, we are Caldean. Our kin originates from an ancient people who inhabited the narrow strip of land between Hadiq and Madraus that we call Caldea. We hold our cultural and religious beliefs dear, and they often do not align with the standard Hadiqan beliefs of today. Some shun us, but we are known for our hard work and honesty. Many of our kin serve as trusted guards and servants within the Hadiqan government.”
“I guess I should have realized it,” said Mac, “but I never really thought that there were different subsets of Hadiqan culture in the Empire.”
Shauri smiled, “Yes, the
re are quite a few, though none are very numerous and most people only see the mainstream Hadiqan culture.”
“Then you will be more receptive to what I have said,” said Esther, looking at Malachi and Shauri, attempting to make her point, “And recognize the truth in my words. Just because no one believes us doesn’t change the fact that on the day before Lughnasadh, the King’s uncle is going to try and assassinate him unless we do something about it—and there is something we can do. Like I said, we already know when and we know who, we just need to find out how he plans on doing it and either find the evidence we need, or stop the attempt directly.”
CHAPTER 26
A Most Unusual Encounter
The marketplaces in Al Farnaka are amazing! You can literally buy anything imaginable here. Well…it was because of that fact that they tend to draw all different types of people from the lowliest to the most exalted, which led to our brush with…
Morning came early for Esther. As soon as she had opened her eyes, she saw four sets of little eyes staring back at her. She couldn’t help but smile at the faces of Malachi and Shauri’s brood of children gazing down at her and Nkiru. The oldest was a girl and looked a little younger than Nkiru—eleven maybe. “Hello,” she said as Esther sat up.
That opened the floodgates and they all immediately started talking at once, asking her name, where she was from, and a dozen other questions that she couldn’t understand. Before she could respond, the door opened and Shauri walked in.
“Alright kids, leave our poor guests alone and get downstairs for breakfast,” she said, shooing them out the door. She turned to Esther and Nkiru, “I’m sorry about that. I suppose it was inevitable that they’d wake you.”
“That’s alright. They’re beautiful children,” replied Esther.
“Thank you. If you want to get dressed and come downstairs, we have some breakfast ready. Malachi had to leave early for work, but your friends are awake.”
“Alright, we’ll be right down,” said Esther. Shauri walked out, closing the door behind her.
Esther and Nkiru dressed quickly and walk down the narrow stairs. A stream of children in ragged nightgowns were carrying trays of food from the kitchen in the back to the front room as Esther and Nkiru reached the bottom of the stairs. Esther gestured for Nkiru to follow and headed back to the kitchen. “Is there anything we can do to help?” she asked Shauri as they stepped into the little room.
“No, the kids have taken the trays to the front room. After you eat though, you’re welcome to walk the kids to school with me and then we can head to the market if you would like? Malachi was going to see if he could come home from work early to discuss what to do next, but that still won’t be until later this afternoon.”
Esther looked at Nkiru, who nodded. “We’d like that, thank you,” said Esther, following Shauri into the front room for breakfast. The other members of their little party were already dressed and being grilled with questions from the children.
“Alright children, let’s say a prayer and get eating,” said Shauri loud enough to break through the numerous voices, “You need to hurry and get ready for school.”
Breakfast consisted of flatbread with small bowls of cheese, cream, and fruit jam. Before being captured in Tewksbury, Esther had very limited experience with different foods. This all seemed quite exotic to her—and tasted marvelous. In fact, she thought she had probably eaten too much as she sat back, rubbing a hand over her stomach.
“That was delicious, Shauri, thank you,” she said.
“Yes, very good indeed,” said Mac along with mumbles of agreement from the others.
“Well thank you,” Shauri replied. “Alright children, let’s get these dishes cleared and washed, then upstairs to get dressed and ready for school.”
“Yes, mother,” they replied, almost in unison. The children stood and gathered up all the dishes before forming a short procession back to the kitchen. You could hear their little voices talking with each other as they began to wash the dishes in a big, round, wooden wash basin.
Esther turned to Joel. “Ms. Shauri has invited Nkiru and me to go to the marketplace with her this morning.”
“Yes,” said Shauri, “We should return around lunch. The rest of you are welcome to stay here, or you might be interested in exploring the city until Malachi returns.”
Geoffrey seemed like he wanted to say something, but was hesitant to do so. Esther knew what it was though. He wanted to come with her. Esther worried though that after being together continuously for so long, perhaps his attention and interest was only because she was the only eligible girl around. Maybe it would be a good idea to give them both some space and time away from each other. Perhaps it would help give some perspective so that they could be sure of what they felt. Esther didn’t much like it, but when he looked at her inquiringly, she shook her head. She couldn’t help but smile when he turned away like a sullen puppy.
Shauri turned to her and raised an inquiring eyebrow after seeing the interplay between them, but she didn’t say anything. Esther focused on helping Shauri finish cleaning up breakfast and getting her kids ready for school.
It felt good to get out of the house. Already it was starting to feel uncomfortable with so many people crammed inside. Esther didn’t know how they were going to manage for as long as it seemed they would need to, and she felt increasingly bad about the cost and the sheer amount of food that Malachi and Shauri had provided—and would need to continue to provide if they were going to try to stop the assassination of the King. Esther had already decided that after she bought a couple of inexpensive dupatta’s that actually matched her clothing, she would donate most of the remainder of her funds to help offset the cost of the food. Looking at the children in their plain and somewhat tattered clothing made her feel even worse about putting this burden upon them.
Shauri’s two youngest children, a girl and a boy, grabbed onto each of Esther’s hands as they started off towards the school. Nkiru and the oldest girl were talking and giggling together. It seemed that Esther’s and Oluchi’s efforts to teach her the Hadiqan language were paying off and the two girls seemed like best of friends already. Shauri noticed Esther watching the two and smiled. “How easy it is to make friends when one is young.”
Esther nodded with a smile.
“That young doctor is very handsome,” said Shauri, then laughed at the look on Esther’s face.
“I shouldn’t tease, but I couldn’t help it. So are you two…?”
“No,” said Esther quickly. She paused for a moment. “I think we’re trying to figure out what we are. This all happened rather recently.”
“Ah yes, that is a difficult stage.”
They arrived at the school which staved off further discussion about her relationship with Geoffrey, for which Esther was grateful. The school was an older, two-story structure with residential housing on both sides and a small walled field for the kids to conduct outdoor activities in. The three older kids ran ahead, turning only briefly to wave goodbye, while the youngest girl stayed with her mother.
Shauri watched until the children disappeared into the school, then turned towards the center of the city and gestured for Esther and Nkiru to follow her. As they walked, Shauri asked a lot about her and Nkiru’s homes and they asked Shauri questions in return. She learned that Shauri and Malachi had been married for twelve years. They just had the four children that Esther had already met. Linny was the oldest and would be finishing school next year. Sarah was next at eight years of age, then came Lev, the boy, who was six. Shadi, the youngest girl, was three and not old enough for school yet.
As they drew towards the center of the city, the crowds grew increasingly thick and diverse. Shauri picked up Shadi and put her on her shoulders, careful not to pull her dupatta off of her head.
“Normally, I don’t like to come to this particular market because it is so busy and I’m always afraid of losing Shadi,” said Shauri, “but I wanted you to see it, and there are a
few items that I can get here that I would have to travel the whole outer ring to obtain. Items are generally more expensive here, but you can find almost anything.”
If Esther had been astounded by the selection of items in the outer market, she was absolutely dumbfounded here. She didn’t even know what half the items that she saw were. People were buying them, however, so they must have some sort of use. Esther understood completely why Shauri would be hesitant to bring a young child here. It was literally a zoo—with countless animals and people—and if you lost hold of your child for even a moment, the throng moving to and fro would make it nearly impossible to find them again any time soon—if at all. Shadi seemed to enjoy it though as she gazed in wonder at all the people, animals, and wares from the safety of her mother’s shoulders.
“There are a couple of vendors selling dupatta’s right over there,” said Shauri, pointing at a row of shops with stalls displaying various goods, “Why don’t you and Nkiru go look at them while I go grab the items I need. I’d like to head back home as soon as possible. The shop I need is just around the corner and I’ll come back here as soon as I finish. Don’t go anywhere else though, or I won’t be able to find you.”
“We won’t,” Esther promised with a smile.
Esther watched Shauri walk down the street and turn a corner, then grabbed Nkiru’s hand and walked over to the vendors selling dupatta’s. “Look at all of these Nkiru,” said Esther, “Have you ever seen so many different colors?”
Nkiru smiled, “Never.”
Esther sorted through the selection, trying to find any that would go well with her clothing, but which were also made from materials she hoped wouldn’t be too expensive.
“We have the finest dupatta’s and veils in the city,” said the merchant, walking up to her from the other side of the display table.
“I’m sure you do, sir. However, I don’t have the most money in the city, so I’ll have to settle for these,” Esther replied, holding up her selections.
Esther's Innocence Page 29