“Where are those mapmakers? I want at least ten copies of each of these maps by week’s end. I won’t allow my people to go wandering aimlessly in a foreign land!”
Kael followed the hallway until it terminated at a large oaken door. Several pages and soldiers passed him in either direction. He exited and found himself standing on a small twisting street in the heart of Rindor. Castle personnel flitted about the massive building and citizens strolled past. Kael looked for the sun to get his bearings. He didn’t want to lose his way. He might feel a bit silly asking directions to get back to the castle.
The Southland boy wandered the streets of Rindor taking in all his eyes could see. His first impression was one of confusion. The streets made no rhyme or reason. Twisting this way and that. Also, the architecture was ridiculous. Structures were heaped upon structures. It was quite evident that the Rindorans ran out of room upon their island years ago and simply decided to build up.
Often, Kael walked under causeways built between structures. More often than not, these causeways were transformed from a means to travel between buildings into actual living spaces. Anyplace that could hold a small dwelling or apartment served as such. Laundry lines drifted like cobwebs throughout the entire city. Streets were crowded with men, women and children.
As Kael moved further and further from the castle, periodically he passed through gateways. The boy realized that these were the old walls of the city. As Rindor grew, new walls were built to protect outlying homes and shops. Eventually, the land between the new walls and the old filled in with more dwellings and buildings. He walked and imagined how the city evolved over time. He determined that from above the city must look like a huge, freshly cut tree stump, each ring of new growth capped by an ancient wall circling through the city’s interior.
Kael stopped for a moment and breathed deeply. His nose informed him that he moved closer to the outer wall. The air from the river smelled heavy and dank. He paused and took in the hustle of the Rindoran folk around him.
The sight of two boys walking down the street to his left struck him as significant. The boys strolled a hundred paces away and something about them tweaked Kael’s interest. He slid close to the wall of the nearest building and shadowed their progress. Kael slipped forward blending in with dozens of other Rindorans going about their business.
The boys arrived at the next crossroads and turned left. Kael raced ahead and peered around the corner of a building. He was close and took a good look at them. He was certain they were the same duo he saw playing in the marketplace. He was just as certain they were the lads he saw frolicking in the streets of Quay. The boys moved a good distance from the corner and Kael stepped into the street to follow. All at once he was knocked sideways.
“Oh, I’m terribly sorry,” said a sweet voice beside him.
Kael turned to see a girl bending to retrieve a basket of flowers. Flowers littered the street beneath him. He began to apologize, but hesitated as she smiled and gazed at him with her stunning blue-green eyes.
“I, uh, no, it was my fault. I was not looking where I was going,” said Kael.
He quickly bent down and gathered the flowers from the road.
“Oh, please don’t bother,” said the girl in her high pitched, lilting voice. “I can do that.”
Kael fumbled with the flowers.
“No trouble at all. My mistake, so I should make it right,” he replied.
“Well, that’s a healthy attitude,” replied the smiling girl.
Kael rose and laid the damaged flowers in her basket. The girl bowed and smiled. He was captivated. At first, he surmised she could be no older than thirteen, but the more he gazed at her the more uncertain he became. The girl was diminutive in stature. Her hands and arms were delicate. They reminded Kael of some of the beautiful porcelain statues he saw in the halls of the Rindoran castle. However, if her size hinted at youth, her demeanor and bearing told him otherwise. She spoke confidently and grinned at him as if he were an awkward puppy to be admired and played with.
Her clothing did not give away her age either. Simple Rindoran garb with no accouterments. Yet simple as her attire was, her beauty shone through. Ageless eyes penetrated his soul. There was both confidence and knowledge behind those eyes.
Kael suddenly remembered the boys.
“Once again, I humbly apologize for my clumsiness,” said Kael. “Good day to you miss.”
“Such manners too,” said the woman. “You will make a fine catch one day.”
Kael smiled and turned from the woman. He raced down the street trying to find the boys. At the nearest crossroads he made a guess and headed deeper into the city. He sidestepped carts and peddlers. There! He glimpsed the boys strolling toward an inn. A sign above the doorway read “The Rusty Nail”. Kael held back and watched them disappear inside its doors. He waited until he felt he could enter inconspicuously then stepped into the inn.
A smoky common room held the usual array of shadowy figures. Several patrons at the bar hardly flinched as Kael stepped from the doorway and let it slam behind him. He halted a moment and let his eyes adjust to the darkness as he surveyed the room. The boys were nowhere to be seen. The door behind him swung open and a heavily cloaked figure pushed his way past the young man and took a seat near the bar. The figure waved a barmaid over and muttered something. She turned and headed toward a large, tapped keg. Kael felt uncomfortable and the feeling stirred him to action. The Southlander approached the bartender and quickly produced some silver coins from his pocket.
“Excuse me, good sir, perhaps you might help me?” said Kael sheepishly.
The barman hungrily eyed the coin as Kael flipped it in an open palm.
“What can I do ya’ for, young master?” asked the barman.
“A pair of boys were just at my father’s booth in the marketplace,” began Kael, “and they overpaid for a service we rendered. My father, being an honest man, said he overheard them say they took lodging here. He sent me to return the extra coin.”
The barman smiled and wiped his dirty hands on a towel that hung from a loop on his belt.
“Well now, your father is right. Always treat customers fairly to retain their business in the future,” began the barman. “A couple of boys are staying here. However, I’m not quite sure if they’re in at the moment. I’ve not seen ‘em for most of the day. Perhaps you could leave the coin with me and I’ll make sure it gets to its rightful owners.”
The barman outstretched a hand and smiled deeply at Kael. The boy inched his hand toward the fidgeting barman, then snatched it back at the last moment.
”I’m afraid I can’t do that, sir. You see, my father wanted me to talk with the lads about unscrupulous behavior in the city, and how they could get taken advantage of if they weren’t dealing with someone as honest as him. I wouldn’t feel right unless I said my piece. You understand, don’t you?”
The barman frowned and rolled his eyes. His hand balled into a fist and dropped to the bar.
“Well, if ya’ must. If they’re in, and mind ya, I mighta been in the back and missed ‘em, but if they’re in, they’ll be in the far room on the third floor,” muttered the barman.
“Thank you kindly, sir. I’ll attend to my business quickly.”
Kael slid past the tables in the bar and made his way to the main stairwell. He wasn’t sure what he was doing or why he was doing it. What did he hope to accomplish? What if he stumbled upon the boys? What would he say? They would probably play the part of clueless children and he would discover no more answers. However, he was sure of one thing. This was a sight better than sitting in a stuffy room, high in the Rindoran castle, staring at the river roll by.
Kael cautiously climbed the stairs. At the second level he surveyed the layout of the building. Two doors on each side of the hallway, and one facing down the hall from the end. On the third level, Kael stepped into the hallway. He silently tiptoed the length of the corridor on the old wooden floor and halted before the door
.
Kael tilted his head close to the door and listened intently. The soft, muffled hum of conversation could be heard in the room. Obviously the boys were there. Kael recognized the sound of laughter from inside the room. It was hard to make out words. He closed his eyes and strained to hear. The sound remained fuzzy at first, then his mind just reached out to it.
“... Chimbre you possess plenty of money. Why you can’t pay for it, I’ll never know?” said a high-pitched voice.
“Why pay when I get it for free? Besides it keeps the skills sharp. If I don’t snatch something now and again, I’ll fall out of practice and make a mistake when it could cost us our lives. It was only an apple, Sprig,” said a second slightly deeper voice.
“Only an apple! But it was the apple he was looking at when you took it. He didn’t even see your hand. The apple was there, then it was gone,” laughed the voice of Sprig. “I nearly died when he waved his hand over the spot it had been.”
“You missed the best part,” laughed Chimbre. “I slipped a copper coin in his other hand as I walked away. He felt its weight as we rounded the corner.”
“Now that’s more like it,” chortled the first voice. “Nice job. Should we go and find .....”
“What are you doing?” whispered a voice several inches from Kael’s ear.
Kael’s eyes popped open and the rest of his body froze. His heart raced. He shot a glance to his right and saw the heavily cloaked and hooded figure that pushed by him at the inn’s doorway. Kael swallowed hard and wondered how he should react. Before he could chance a decision, the figure’s hand rose and pulled the hood back to reveal the smiling face of Eidyn.
“I’m following you. Lord Teeg isn’t the only member of our party capable of disguise,” whispered the Elven Prince. “Who are you listening too?”
Kael felt his entire body drop an inch toward the floor. He let out a deep breath, just now realizing he held it in. He rolled his eyes at the Elven prince in mock anger then smiled.
“Do you remember the two boys we passed on the outskirts of Quay?” whispered Kael.
Eidyn looked to the ceiling and searched his memory. He nodded his assent.
“Do you remember the boys that bowed to the captain in the marketplace?”
Once again Eidyn nodded. However, this time a look of recognition crossed his face. Kael smiled.
“If I’m right,” began Kael. “Those boys are one and the same. We were followed. I don’t know who they are, or what they’re doing, but I’m determined to find out.”
Eidyn’s face grew stern. He motioned to the doorway then tapped his ear. Kael took his meaning and once again reached out for the sounds from in the room.
“.... and I told her we would grab a bite and return to the room,” said the voice of Chimbre the thief.
“I could use some shut eye as well. It’s been a long week,” squeaked Sprig.
“Interesting city don’t you think?” said Chimbre.
“Quite,” returned Sprig. “Such a mass of humanity. So easy to blend in. Sakes, even I get turned around by the hustle and bustle of this....”
Kael heard the creak of a door or window shutter in the room.
“Why hello,” laughed Sprig. “Why didn’t you use the door? It is a bit easier than the window.”
“Where were you?” said Chimbre, a nervous edge creeping into his tone. “We considered going to...”
He halted abruptly. Kael heard the sound of rushing movement in the room. The shutter creaked once more and Kael heard a light thud. That was all he needed. Kael fumbled in his cloak for his dagger. Its absence shocked him. He didn’t care. He reached for the door’s latch. Eidyn’s eyes went wide as he saw what Kael was about to do. The Elven prince drew his own dagger and moved behind the Southlander.
Kael threw the latch up and rushed in. Eidyn followed in his footsteps and leapt to Kael’s side. The room was empty and the window shutter slowly creaked back against the wall. Eidyn pointed to the windowsill. Ten fingertips were visible along the sill for a moment then disappeared. Once again Kael heard a light thud. The Elf and Southland boy collided with one another as they tried to circumnavigate the tiny room’s bed and reach the window. When they untangled, they popped their heads out the window above the alleyway.
Kael caught a glimpse of three running figures in the light at the end of the alleyway then they were gone. Eidyn threw a foot onto the sill and prepared to leap. Kael grabbed the prince’s arm.
“I’m not questioning your abilities, Eidyn,” said Kael shaking his head. “But you won’t find those three in this maze of a city.”
Eidyn frowned and lowered himself from the ledge.
“There’s still something to be gained here,” said Kael. “Return to your spot downstairs and I’ll follow shortly.”
Eidyn nodded his assent and flipped the cowl back over his head. The Elven prince stepped from the room and headed down the stairs. Kael waited a few moments then followed.
The common room was unchanged. All who were there earlier remained in their places. Kael approached the barman smiling.
“Innkeeper. Are you sure those boys lodge here?” asked Kael. “No one answered at the door. When I opened it, I found the room barren and uninhabited.”
“What? Impossible!” said the barman. “They just ran through here not more ‘n fifteen minutes ago. Did you knock on the right door? I said the door at the end...”
“I thought you said you didn’t see them all day?” questioned Kael sternly. “What’s going on? Are you toying with me?”
The barman fidgeted and bit his upper lip.
“My father encounters quite a few travelers at our shop,” persisted Kael. “They often inquire after good accommodations. I was going to reference ‘The Rusty Nail’ due to your helpfulness earlier, but I question that decision. Perhaps I should spread word in the marketplace that you tried to cheat some guests out of coin that was rightfully theirs.”
“No! No!” protested the barman. “My apologies. I host so many guests that I sometimes mix them up! By all means prompt your father to send anyone he can in my direction. I run an honest establishment. While you were upstairs I recalled seeing the boys pass. But, if you say they’re not in, perhaps I saw them departing and not arriving.”
The barman rubbed his sweaty palms on the towel hanging from his belt.
“Well, that may be,” said Kael softening. “But I must be about my business today and become reluctant to leave this coin with you. I see no evidence that these lads are staying here.”
Kael stared at the man as if working out a problem in his head. He smiled.
“I know of a solution,” began Kael. “Do these boys owe you for their lodging?”
“It was paid through this evening,” returned the barman. “But they ran up a small bill from food.”
“I’ll make you a deal. Give me any information you possess on the boys. Say, for example, the names they registered under. I’ll canvass the other inns in the area, and if I find them I will return them here to settle their account before I give them their coin. If I don’t find them, I’ll use what I owe them to pay you. Either way you’ll be paid and I’ll feel I fulfilled my father’s request.”
The barman briefly smiled at the prospect then frowned.
“I’m afraid I can’t provide you with their names,” said the barman.
“Why not? My bargain is fair,” said Kael.
“They didn’t pay for their rooms. Another paid in advance and told me to expect their arrival sometime in the evening,” replied the barman.
“Do you have that persons name?” asked Kael.
“Ah, yes,” said the barman. “He’s an old tinker by the name of Jasper.”
A gray hooded patron at a table not far from Kael choked on his ale and spit half of it across the common room.
CHAPTER 28: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
In the street in front of “The Rusty Nail”, Eidyn raced to catch up to Kael.
“Hold a moment,
Kael!” called Eidyn. “Will you hold?”
Kael stopped and turned on the Elven prince.
“Just when you think he’s being honest with you,” spluttered Kael. “More lies! More deception!”
Eidyn held up both hands.
“Now wait a moment, Kael,” exclaimed the prince. “How has he lied to you?”
“You heard the man. Jasper, or whatever he wants to call himself, paid for the boys’ room. They shadowed us all along.”
“So, your point?” asked Eidyn.
“My point? My point is ....“ shouted Kael. “Oh I don’t know! It’s wrong!”
“What’s wrong? The fact that you aren’t informed of everything?”
Kael clenched his teeth and seethed. His hands hung at his sides, balled into tight fists.
“Fine! Yes! You’re right!” exploded Kael. “Why is everything a puzzle? Why do I feel like I don’t know a thing? Why do Ader, Teeg, Manfir and even old Hamly feel like they need to teach me things? They give me scraps and pieces but keep whole volumes hidden in the dark!”
Eidyn smiled and crossed his arms in front of him. He looked at Kael with mock pity. Kael frowned at the Elven prince.
“Ader isn’t lying to you, Kael,” began Eidyn. “He merely keeps something from you, and from me, if that’s worth anything. Also, we’re unsure what he keeps from us. Who are these boys? What are they doing? Before we make accusations, we should find answers.”
Kael’s posture softened as he weighed Eidyn’s words. The fact that they were in the same position did seem to help. He felt helpless. Something was going on, and he needed to know what.
“Actually, we hold Ader at a bit of a disadvantage,” smiled Eidyn.
Kael furrowed his brow and looked at the Elf.
“How so?”
“His three companions are sure to report that you discovered them, but will assure Ader the secrecy of their connection is intact. But we know otherwise. The first thing Lord Teeg taught me,” said Eidyn, mimicking Teeg to perfection. “Knowledge is power. Guard it with your life and spend it frugally, for there is only so much to go around.”
The Merchant and the Menace Page 37