by Unknown
“No, I’m full. I’ve enjoyed watching you eat the four remaining pieces. I would have jumped in if I had wanted more. Growing up with seven older brothers, I learned how to keep my plate filled and not go hungry.”
Widow Kipper returned as he was licking jam off his fingers. “If you are finished, I will show you to your rooms.”
He once again trailed behind the women as they passed through the common room, headed up the stairs, and stopped in front of door number five, located on the left side of the hall.
Widow Kipper took two keys from a pocket on the inside of her apron and handed one to each of them. “These are your keys. If you lose them, you pay for replacement and the change of the locks. Each key is unique to your chamber. This is your room, Master Ice, and number seven next door is Lady Mirada’s. Inspect your rooms. I will wait here until you are finished and then show you to the bath house.”
He opened the lock and entered his room. The sleeper, big enough for two people to share, was made up with fresh sheets and feather pillows. The door could be barred from the inside. After checking the window to make sure it was indeed secured, he rejoined Widow Kipper. He took the opportunity to look through Mirada’s open door. Her room was identical to his. The accommodations lived up to Dante’s recommendation and could be made secure.
Mirada returned to the hallway. “The room is very nice. I look forward to a comfortable night’s sleep.”
“Does your room meet your needs, Master Ice?” Widow Kipper inquired.
He grunted and shrugged.
Mirada nudged him. “Ice, answer the kind woman.”
He sighed. “It will do.”
The innkeeper guided them back down the steps and out the front door to the outbuilding next to the stable. “This is the bathhouse. Both your keys will open the lock on this door.”
Mirada spoke up. “I am going to go to my room for a change of clothes and come back. You did say there were laundry services?”
“Yes, there are, and I have someone who could clean your leathers, if you desire.”
“I would. How do I arrange for this?”
“I will come to your room later, and you can give me what you wish to have washed. Master Ice, do you have clothes that need attention?”
“Thank you, no. I do my own laundry. I’ll just stay here and get scrubbed up,” he answered.
“You don’t wash clothes in my bath house. Breck will show you a tub to use when you are ready. Come, Lady Mirada. We’ll leave Master Ice to his grooming.”
He waited till the ladies were gone before entering the building and undressing. After placing his clothing in with the rest of his kit, he grabbed a towel and carried his belongings with him into the pool room. After putting everything down on a nearby bench, he grabbed one of the bars of soap and entered the first pool. Taking care to wash thoroughly, he made sure he wouldn’t have dirty feet to place on the Widow’s sheets.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
ZEAL’S HANDS WERE a little chapped from washing pots for Cook after breakfast. During their break following Liddea’s rescue, he and the other apprentices had been kept at the Temple for the past four suns. Kaid had visited daily, but Zeal felt he was just checking up on them. Otherwise, Lady Izlan had made sure they were kept busy, helping with the annual deep cleaning of the Temple. He and the others continued to wonder what the adults were keeping from them or, better still, keeping them from.
He was the last to join his fellow apprentices on their favored balcony, which overlooked the market square. Mehrle greeted him. “Why did you volunteer to help in the kitchen? It wasn’t your turn, and you weren’t on punishment.”
He moved in between her and Liddea and looked down onto the market. “I felt like I needed to do something productive. Building the fire in the ovens then maintaining them was relaxing to me. Even though I am not allowed to cook, I still wish to know how.”
Nester gently chided. “You better keep at it then. From the stuff I’ve tasted that you’ve prepared, you still have a lot to learn.”
Tulip playfully nudged Nester. “Leave the Mouse alone. We would starve if we had to depend on you to fix food for us.”
Fronc laughed. “Tulip has the right of it.”
The square was becoming crowded a bit earlier than usual. Amidst the open stalls, he noticed a gesturing patron who was accompanied by a female guard. Zeal kept them in view as they slowly meandered through the square, inspecting the merchandise offered for sale.
The patron gestured again. Using one hand, he first touched the tips of his fingers to his chest. Next, he closed the hand in a fist, and then finished with a subtle tossing motion. It was the Trade sign for “assistance.”
Zeal remained focused on the couple. “Everyone listen up. Look in front of the crystal seller’s stall for the tall, thin-built man dressed in black and wearing a black, hooded cloak pulled up to make it hard to see his face. He has a female guard, moderately tall, dressed in leathers, with her hair in a braid down her back, armed with a long sword. Once you acquire them, watch the man.”
Zeal waited in silence with the others. It wasn’t long before he saw the hand signal repeated. Excitement began to build inside him. “Did you see what he did? The man must be Trade and needs help.”
Tulip answered. “That’s the sign, all right. Who do you think he is, and what do you think he wants? Should one of us go down and ask him?”
Fronc leaned on the rail. “I wonder if he is a new instructor. Who’s going?”
Liddea looked over at Zeal. “Well, the Mouse saw him first. I think he should talk to the gentleman.”
Zeal replied, “I’ll do it, but I want one of you to come with me.”
Mehrle nodded. “I’m with you. The rest of you, prepare to join us if we wave to you for help. Zeal, let’s see what the man requires.”
***
Ice waited patiently while Mirada shopped. She was purchasing gifts for the members of her former Company, whom she planned to visit in Arlanda. Periodically, he gave the hand sign that should attract the attention of a member of the local Trade. He required a guide to help him and Mirada around the city. Plus, it was tradition to make his presence known to the Trade Master of the area.
No one seemed to notice him, which he found surprising. Mirada finished her business with the crystal merchant, and they moved on to one who was selling attractive small, wooden boxes. The fist-sized boxes were lined with felt and had inlayed lids. He was looking at a particularly attractive box when he sensed someone approach him from his left. Turning, he saw a boy, but, as the lad drew closer, Ice realized it was a girl with her hair tucked up under a hat.
“Excuse me, sir. It is apparent you appreciate quality.” The girl subtlety gave him the Trade sign for “recognition.”
“Yes, I do. My name is Ice, and this is my companion, Mirada.”
Mirada turned to see who Ice was addressing, unaware that there was someone standing close behind her. “Who is your new friend? Isn’t she a little young for you?”
“My name is Mehrle. I am here due to the request made by Master Ice. I am pleased to meet you both.”
“Ice, what help do you need?” Mirada raised one brow as she looked from him to Mehrle, and back.
Ice closed his eyes and briefly counted. Mirada could annoy him to no end sometimes. He had learned during the voyage to avoid her when she did. When he again looked toward her, he noticed the small boy standing behind her, listening closely. The lad showed Ice what he held before hiding it from sight. “Let’s all move somewhere a little more private and I will explain. That includes you, too, young man.”
Mehrle pointed. “We can talk privately behind the pastry stall there. No one will be able to approach or listen to us unobserved.”
After weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the location, he decided in favor of her suggestion. “Let’s move over.” He allowed Mehrle to lead and followed her closely through the growing crowd. The boy walked behind him. Mirada brought up
the rear.
He admired the way Mehrle moved through the natural openings people considered to be their personal space. Someone was training her well. Periodically, he glanced back to make sure the boy and Mirada were still close. The female merchant at the pastry stall gave them a questioning look as they approached. Ice almost missed the gesture Mehrle used to communicate with the owner. Satisfied that nothing was amiss, the owner turned her attention back to her customers.
Mehrle led them behind the stand to an open space used to store both empty and partially filled boxes of product. “As I said, my name is Mehrle. My companion here is Zeal. We saw your signal. How can we be of service to you?”
Ice explained to Mirada, “I wanted to obtain guides to help us travel around the city but did not expect to be approached by children.” Feeling he had sufficiently explained things to her, he addressed the young ones. “We have business in Arlanda. Are you available?”
Mehrle nodded. “We can do that for you.”
“I also wish to pay my respects to the local authority.”
The boy, Zeal, moved forward and spoke for the first time. “Are you a representative from out of town?”
Ice felt a subtle tug on his side. He bent down, put his face close to Zeal’s, and spoke firmly. “Yes, I am, and I would appreciate it if you would stop trying to relieve me of my coin. That is the second time you have failed to pilfer my pouch.” He was struck by how similar Zeal was to him when he was Zeal’s age. Of course, that was prior to the night the direction of his life was forever changed.
Zeal stepped back. “Mehrle, I would vouch that Master Ice is out of town family.” He pulled a small bag from inside his shirt and held it up to Ice. “Should I give Lady Mirada her purse, or would you like to hold on to it for her? Just trying to make sure her coin was protected. Her belongings are safe with us around.”
Ice saw Mirada’s eyes widen just before her face clouded and she directed her anger toward him. “How long has Zeal had my pouch, and when were you going to tell me?”
“Don’t get mad at me. The boy obtained your bag shortly after we met. He even showed it to me, which indicated he had no intention of keeping it. Of course, it was after he failed to acquire mine the first time he tried. Zeal, I suggest you give Mirada her property.”
Ice smiled briefly when Mirada turned her steely gaze away from him and applied it to the boy. She held out her hand. “I have yet to need a banker to hold my coin for me. My purse, young man, and don’t make me ask more than once.”
“Yes, Lady Mirada.” Zeal returned the bag and quickly moved out of her reach. “I was just trying to be helpful and point out that you weren’t being as careful as you should.”
“Point has been made.” Mirada tucked her pouch inside the front of her leather jerkin.
Mehrle moved closer to Zeal. “Where is it you need to go in the city?”
“I need to see a former Mentor. His residence is on Gull Way,” Ice informed them.
Mirada adjusted the position of her pouch. “And I have business with the Matriarch of the Temple of the Ladies of Life.”
Mehrle raised her right hand, two fingers extended, and waved it back and forth twice over her head.
Ice caught Mirada’s eye and, with a jerk of his head, gestured to his right. Two more children, a boy and a girl, approached. Like Mehrle and Zeal, their clothing had been given the stains and appearance of wear. His eyes and nose let him know that the children bathed regularly and that most of the grime on their exposed skin had been strategically placed.
Mehrle introduced them on their arrival. “Master Ice and Lady Mirada, this is Fronc and Tulip.” Mehrle turned to her friends. “I need one of you to work with Zeal and act as a guide for Master Ice. The other can help me take Lady Mirada to the Temple.”
Tulip moved over to Zeal. “I’ll stick with Zeal.”
“I’ll go with you and Lady Mirada,” Fronc announced.
Mehrle nodded. “Fronc, would you first see if you can find a mentor? Master Ice needs to talk with one.”
“On it. I will be right back.” Fronc hurried off.
“Gull Way is in North Town, not far from here,” Zeal informed Ice.
“I need you to take me to the residence located at number 59 Gull Way,” Ice answered.
Mirada reached inside her leathers. “We will pay you for your service. What is your fee?”
Ice saw Mehrle’s brow crease. “Lady Mirada, we appreciate your kind and generous offer. It wouldn’t be proper to accept payment from you or Master Ice.”
“I won’t argue with you, young lady, but wish to inform you that I am still not done with the subject of payment as of yet.” Mirada left her purse where it was.
Ice chuckled. “I have never known of any person, young or old, who couldn’t use a bit of coin.”
Fronc returned, accompanied by a woman, and stopped next to Mehrle. “Master Ice, Lady Mirada, I wish to introduce you to one of our Mentors.”
Ice waited as the woman looked him and Mirada over. In Trade language, she asked, “Ha nes ti yar…. What is it you want?”
Ice answered back, also in Trade, “I wish to pay my respects, as required by tradition, to the person in charge.”
“You plan on moving to Arlanda or doing any work?”
“No, just passing through, and visiting a mentor living here. My companion is not Trade and has business of her own. We would like to have the children usher us around.”
She nodded. “You’ll be contacted about a meet. If you need anything, let the young ones know. But let me inform you someone more mature will be observing.”
“Why didn’t someone more mature contact me to begin with?”
“The young ones needed the experience. This was a good lesson for them.”
“I think they are learning very well. I wish to compliment their mentors.”
“I’ll pass on the compliment, in case you never have the opportunity to do so yourself. Have a good stay in Arlanda.”
“I never heard your name.”
“I never gave it.”
“Are you two about done talking over my head?” Mirada inquired.
“Yes, we are done for now.” The woman turned and walked away. She was soon lost in the crowd.
That went as Ice had expected. Never trust before you verify. He and Mirada would now receive a sophisticated level of observation and protection and were safe, unless they were determined to be a threat to the Trade in Arlanda.
“Well, what next?” Mirada asked.
Ice turned to Mehrle. “Can you help Mirada finish her shopping, guide her to her destination, and protect her from herself?”
Mirada jabbed Ice repeatedly in the chest as she chided. “Now see here, you overgrown excuse for a child without manners. You are the one who needs a keeper.”
Mirada’s finger ceased its assault. “What was your name again, young man?”
“I am Fronc, my lady.”
“I will be fine in Mehrle and Fronc’s hands. You’re the one someone should worry about. I’ll have to trust that Tulip can keep you and Zeal in line. If I hear that you’ve given her any trouble, I will hound you about it all the way back to Havensharth.”
Ice rolled his eyes skyward and sighed deeply before giving Miranda his most innocent look. “Don’t worry. I will be on my best behavior.” He turned to his two young advisers. “Shall we leave before I give her cause to hound me, as she threatens?”
As he was led away by Tulip and Zeal, he heard Mirada comment, “Let’s go back to look at those nice boxes. Maybe I can find little cushions to put in them. A cushion would protect the crystal I intend to put in each container.”
Mehrle spoke excitedly. “This way then, Lady Mirada, and I know just the stall.”
Ice hoped Fronc liked to shop with women. Otherwise, he was going to be in for a long day.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
THE DAY HAD become much more interesting. Tulip wondered what kind of business Lady Mirada had at th
e Temple. Master Martell was the only member of the Raiders she had seen dressed in full kit. The wolf on his armor was similar to the wolf head on the pommel of Lady Mirada’s sword. Could she have a connection to the Raiders in some way? What would it be like to make a living as a mercenary?
Ice took them to the Slumbering Giant to retrieve his kit from the Inn’s strong room before they headed to North Town. As they approached 59 Gull Way, he stopped and gathered her and Zeal close.
“I want you to keep what you see or hear during our visit with my mentor in confidence. Should your Trade Master ask you for a report, I understand you would have to comply with the request. Do I have your word?”
“Yes, Master Ice,” she and Zeal answered together.
Ice studied their faces and seemed satisfied by what he saw.
“Do you have any questions?”
Zeal, of course jumped, right in. “When did Master Feneas retire from the Trade? No one has ever him mentioned before.”
“I never said he was my mentor in the Trade. He instructed me in a completely different matter.”
“What did you learn?”
“Zeal, if you stay both quiet and observant, you might discover the answer you seek. Shall we proceed?”
Tulip tried to get a better read of Master Ice during the discussion. He didn’t seem to be a forthcoming or trusting individual. What was he not telling them? She was happy Bell had let them know someone was watching over them.
When he lifted his attention from Zeal to her, she looked away, not wanting him to know she was staring, and began to survey 59 Gull Way and its surroundings. The property’s boundaries were formed by gardens lush with spring growth. A cobblestone drive led past the front of the two-story cottage and ended at an oval carriage house. Fruit and nut trees were in flower. Unlike the nearby estates, which were fenced, gated, barred, and guarded, Master Feneas’s residence was unprotected by comparison. Why did such a difference exist?